Lift chair and reimbursement: what does the health fund cover?

A lift chair is an investment, and many people rightly wonder whether their health fund (mutuality) covers part of it. The honest answer: for a standard lift chair there is usually no structural reimbursement in Belgium via the health fund, the NIHDI (RIZIV/INAMI) or the VAPH. Even so, there are a few ways to ease the cost. On this page we set them out honestly, so you know where you stand.

Does the health fund reimburse a lift chair?

Classic reimbursement via the NIHDI and your health fund is reserved for recognised medical devices supplied through an accredited bandagist — such as wheelchairs or specific verticalisation aids. A lift chair is regarded as comfort furniture and is not in the nomenclature of reimbursable aids. As a rule, you therefore receive no standard reimbursement for it.

And the VAPH?

The Flemish Agency for Persons with a Disability (VAPH) also provides no allowance here. The VAPH explicitly states that it gives no allowance for relax chairs, including models with a riser function. An exception is only possible for specific, disability-related adaptations with an additional cost of more than 300 euros — which then concerns not the chair itself, but special custom adaptations.

What financial support does exist?

Depending on your personal situation, a few routes can reduce the cost:

• Care budget for people with high care needs — Those who are heavily care-dependent and meet the conditions of the Flemish social protection receive a care budget (formerly: the care insurance) of 140 euros per month. This budget is not taxable and you decide yourself what to spend it on — including a lift chair if it increases your independence. You apply via your care fund (usually linked to your health fund).
• Supplementary benefits from your health fund — Besides the statutory reimbursement, some health funds offer small premiums or an equipment loan service via their supplementary insurance. This varies greatly from fund to fund. It is worth calling your own health fund to ask whether a premium or contribution exists for your situation.
• Specific situations — Is the need for a lift chair the result of a workplace accident, an accident with a liable third party, or do you have private hospitalisation or accident insurance? The insurer concerned may then, in certain cases, contribute. Check this with your insurer.
• Municipality or public welfare centre (OCMW) — Some municipalities or OCMWs provide an informal-carer or assistive-device premium. Enquire with your local social service.

What Swiss-Relax does for you

Because structural reimbursement usually falls away, we keep the total cost transparent and as low as possible:

• Free delivery AND installation throughout Belgium and the Netherlands — no hidden costs.
• Prices from €799, straight from stock, without intermediaries.
• 30-day trial period: if the chair does not suit you, we take it back.
• Our own repair service, reachable 7 days a week — even after the warranty period we handle repairs ourselves, without expensive external costs.

That way you know in advance exactly what you pay, without counting on a reimbursement that may not come.

Frequently asked questions

Does my health fund reimburse a lift chair?

For a standard lift chair there is as a rule no statutory reimbursement via the NIHDI or the health fund, because it counts as comfort furniture and not as a recognised medical device. Ask your own health fund whether a small premium exists via the supplementary insurance.

Does the VAPH give an allowance for a lift chair?

No. The VAPH gives no allowance for relax chairs, including models with a riser function. An exception only exists for special, disability-related adaptations with an additional cost above 300 euros.

Can I use the care budget for people with high care needs for a lift chair?

Yes. If you are entitled to the care budget for people with high care needs (140 euros per month), you decide yourself what to spend it on. You may therefore use it to (partly) finance a lift chair. You apply via your care fund.

Is a lift chair tax-deductible?

A lift chair is generally not tax-deductible as a medical expense. For your specific situation, consult your accountant or the FPS Finance.

What is the difference with a medical verticalisation device?

A medical verticalisation device is prescribed by a doctor and supplied through an accredited bandagist; reimbursement may then apply. A lift chair is comfort furniture that you buy directly — more comfortable and more stylish, but without standard reimbursement.

This information is intended as general guidance and is not personal or legal advice. Reimbursement rules and premiums change regularly and vary by health fund and situation. For your personal situation, it is best to contact your health fund, care fund or the relevant body. Not sure which lift chair suits you? See our lift chair buying guide or discover all lift chairs.