Belgian procedure fees ruling impacts medical imaging and clinical analyses:

Belgian clinical analysts and radiologists have been angered by the recent decision by the government to drop special fees for imaging procedures and diagnostic tests that are carried out in the accident and emergency setting. The new ruling, which will come into force on August 1 2005, should result in savings of Euro31.5m ($38.3m) to the government in clinical analyses and Euro27.5m in radiology. The association of Belgian medical unions, Absym, is warning that the decision will force hospitals to limit these procedures to hospitalised patients only. It argues that the higher levels of fees are needed to compensate those healthcare employees who work in accident and emergency at nights, weekends and public holidays.