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Sleep centre

CPAP convention

Patients with severe sleep apnoea who are affiliated with a Belgian health insurance fund are entitled to partial reimbursement for their CPAP treatment. The hospital handles the reimbursement application.
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What is covered by the convention?

The following items can be borrowed free of charge from the hospital:

  • CPAP device tailored to your treatment
  • Fitted mask
  • Air tube
  • Carrying bag
  • If needed: humidifier

Defect or wear

The hospital arranges for repair or replacement in case of defects or wear. Never attempt to repair the device or accessories yourself.

What do you pay yourself?

Your personal contribution (co-payment) is approximately €0.25/day (€7.50/month). You will receive a monthly invoice from the hospital.

You can request a direct debit via medische.administratie@uzleuven.be. Please note: this direct debit will then apply to all your invoices from UZ Leuven.

Problems under your own responsibility

You are personally responsible if your CPAP device is damaged due to misuse, poor maintenance, or smoking in the spaces where the device is used or stored.

In that case, you must pay the full value of the equipment, which can amount to €800.

If you remain in treatment and your convention is still in order, replacement materials will be provided.

Annual check-up

Your reimbursement application must be renewed once after three months, then annually thereafter.

For this, you must attend a check-up consultation at the sleep centre. These consultations are mandatory. You must attend in person and bring your device and accessories.

During these consultations, we check:

  • whether the treatment is working properly;
  • whether adjustments are needed;
  • whether you are using the device sufficiently (based on the device’s memory usage data).

Notify in advance if absent

  • If you cannot attend, notify the sleep centre in time to arrange another appointment. This appointment must take place within a defined period around the date on which the convention expires.

  • Tel. 016 34 25 20

Stopping the convention

In certain cases, reimbursement for the treatment via the convention may be stopped.

If you use the device too little

Research has shown that short and irregular use of the CPAP device does not produce the desired effects.

Therefore, health insurance funds no longer reimburse the treatment for people who use the device too little. Correct use means every night, for the entire night.

If it turns out during the check-up consultation that you are using the device too little, you will receive a one-time extension of three months to resume the therapy as it should be (every night).

If during this period you still don’t use the device enough, the health insurance fund will stop reimbursement.

If you are not in order with the health insurance fund

It is your duty to pay your contributions to the health insurance fund. Failure to do so may result in the reimbursement via the convention being stopped.

How do you know you are no longer in order with the convention?

  • Mistakes and oversights are human. That’s why we follow a procedure before stopping the convention.

    1. If you don't attend the check-up consultation or your health insurance fund informs us that your file is no longer in order, our secretariat will first try to contact you by phone. If that fails, we will send you a registered letter with a new appointment or a deadline within which you must provide proof that you are back in order with the health insurance fund. If it was an oversight, it can be rectified without issue.
    2. If you do not respond to our first registered letter, we will have no choice but to end the convention. You will be informed of this via a second registered letter. You will then have 14 days to return your CPAP device and accessories in good condition to the sleep centre. If there is no damage, no additional costs will be charged. You can then make an appointment with a doctor to discuss the continuation of your treatment.
    3. If you also do not respond to our second registered letter, a one-time fee of €800 will be charged for administrative costs and materials. You may keep the device and accessories, and your file at the sleep centre will be closed.

Treatment outside the convention

You may continue CPAP treatment on your own initiative after your convention has ended. You are still welcome as a patient at the sleep centre.

Costs

Ending the convention means you will have to purchase all the equipment yourself. This is not possible through the sleep centre, but we can advise you on your purchase. Depending on the model and options, the cost ranges from €600 to €1,000.

Follow-up consultations on your own initiative

You will no longer be automatically invited for check-up consultations; you must contact the sleep centre yourself. If you wish to come in to discuss problems or complaints, these consultations will also be charged.

Re-entering the convention

The termination of the convention cannot be undone. If you wish to rejoin the convention, you must go through the full procedure again (consultation, diagnostic polysomnography, treatment initiation).

Questions?

Also read

The CPAP device

A CPAP device is an electric unit with an integrated compressor and pressure control, connected via an air tube to a mask and headgear. A heated humidifier may optionally be attached. Read more about how the components work, how to maintain them, and key points to keep in mind when using the device.

Possible problems or complaints during your CPAP therapy

A CPAP treatment has no side effects. However, problems or discomfort may occur, such as a blocked or runny nose, issues with your mask or claustrophobia.

CPAP therapy

Treatment for sleep apnoea using a device that continuously blows air into your airways at night. The continuous positive airway pressure keeps your mouth and throat open, allowing you to breathe normally during sleep.
Last edit: 5 august 2025