New Convention for head and neck cancer treatment in specialized centers in Belgium

In Belgium, certain types of care are reimbursed not through the standard Nomenclature, but through specific agreements, known as Conventions, between healthcare providers and the National Institute for Health and Disability Insurance (INAMI/RIZIV). This framework offers greater flexibility than Nomenclature and can cover a broader range of healthcare services, such as multidisciplinary follow-up in specialized centers for certain chronic diseases (rehabilitation Conventions), complex treatments delivered by specialized centers, and piloting novel services.

On July 23, 2026, the INAMI/RIZIV introduced a new Convention to centralize care for patients with head and neck cancers in a limited number of approved reference centers and specialized radiotherapy centers.

• Reference Centers will be responsible for centralized, integrated multidisciplinary oncology consultation, treatment planning, radiotherapy with or without concurrent drug administration, and ablative and reconstructive surgery.
• Specialized Radiotherapy Centers will concentrate on radiotherapy, including it as a primary non-surgical treatment, before and/or after surgery, and with simultaneous drug administration. These treatments are carried out in accordance with the treatment plan established by the reference center. Each specialized radiotherapy center will have established a formal partnership with a reference center, enabling the adoption of a standardized procedure.

Healthcare organizations wishing to join the agreement should submit their application no later than October 1, 2026.

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