The follow‑up of a former preterm infant involves a considerable amount of administrative work. An overview has been compiled of the steps that must be completed and the allowances that may apply.
Administration
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COS
When a child is born after a pregnancy of fewer than 32 weeks and/or with a birth weight below 1500 g, the child is automatically followed within the Convention for Diagnostic Follow‑up of Preterm Infants (COS).
The physician in the hospital will complete a certificate confirming that the child meets these criteria. This certificate must be submitted to the health insurance fund together with the application form for reimbursement of rehabilitation costs.
For children who fall under the convention, a fee is charged for each medical assessment. The amount depends on the specialty of the physician performing the examination. A large portion of this fee will be reimbursed by the health insurance fund, and the personal contribution is approximately €15.
Children born after a gestational age of more than 32 weeks and/or with a birth weight above 1500 g are not automatically enrolled. However, they can be followed within the COS if there are concerns regarding development and/or behaviour. Referrals can be made by the neonatology department, the pediatrician, the general practitioner, Kind & Gezin, the physiotherapist, the speech therapist, the psychologist, the CLB, etc.
Registration takes place through the online registration form of the COS in the relevant region.
For children who fall outside the convention, a fixed parental contribution of up to €86.31 is requested.
Registration:
- COS Antwerp: https://www.uza.be/aanmelding-cos
- COS Ghent & sattelite office Bruges: https://www.cosgent.be/aanmelden
- COS Leuven & sattelite office Limburg: https://www.uzleuven.be/nl/ontwikkelingsstoornissen/aanmeldformulier-centrum-voor-ontwikkelingsstoornissen-cos Aanmeldingen voor ZOL Genk: sandra.alenteyns@zol.be
- COS Brussels: Telefonisch: 02 477 56 95; Via e-mail: cosplus@uzbrussel.be
Kind & Gezin
Just like full‑term newborns, preterm infants are also followed by Kind & Gezin (K&G). The first contact with K&G can be established in several ways. Contact may be initiated by a parent through the K&G online platform or the K&G helpline, the Groeipakket payment provider may pass on contact details when the start amount is requested, or the hospital may report the birth to the local K&G team. Subsequently, appointments for the follow‑up consultations are scheduled. These consultations
are free of charge. There are specific adjustments in the follow‑up of preterm infants, such as an adapted vaccination schedule, corrected growth curves based on gestational age, adapted developmental assessments, and attention to the well‑being of both mother and child.
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Specialized home support
KOKOOS, BROOS, DE KLEINE BEER, the Ambulatory Support Service (Dienst Ambulante Begeleiding), ’t Spoor, and similar organisations are specialised home‑support services that fall under the directly accessible assistance (RTH) of the Flemish Agency for Persons with Disabilities (VAPH). This type of support is easily accessible and can be initiated quickly. Parents do not need to complete an application procedure with the VAPH or with Opgroeien and can directly contact a care provider offering early support.
The assistance can be provided for a period of one year, with up to 36 home‑based guidance sessions per calendar year. As of 1 January 2024, a maximum contribution of €6.34 per session may be requested. These amounts may be indexed annually.
Childcare allowance
The childcare allowance is part of the Groeipakket. Entitlement to this allowance exists when:
- the child attends Dutch-speaking childcare, a childminder, or a daycare in Flanders or Brussels
- the childcare fee is not income‑dependent
When the Groeipakket is already being received, the childcare allowance is granted automatically. Payments are made monthly, no later than the 20th of the following month (for example: the payment for April is made no later than 20 May).
The entitlement to the childcare allowance ends once the child starts attending kindergarten.
A tax reduction can also be obtained for childcare expenses. This includes expenses for activities organized by recognized or subsidized youth organizations or sports clubs. Professional home care for sick children is also eligible for a tax reduction. The conditions for eligibility for the childcare tax reduction can be found here.
To deduct these expenses, parents must have proof of the childcare costs. For this purpose, a tax certificate from the childcare provider is required.