Table 1 Main characteristics of the Belgian health care system (2004)

• Financing basis of public health is contribution and tax based

• Health expenditure amounts to 9.3% of gross domestic product (GDP)

• Health care expenditure per capita is 2922 (in US$ PPP)

• Coverage of population by public health is almost universal (compulsory)

• Out of pocket payments (proportion of total health expenditure) equals 23%

• Payment of GP is mainly fee-for-service with a limited capitation fee for registered patients

• GP to population ratio 1:909

• GP has no gatekeeper function; voluntary patient registration with a GP (since 1999)

• Approximately 70% of the GPs are working in single-handed practices

• About 66% of the GPs are using an electronic medical record (EMR)