In this Itinera paper, we examine the current status and evolution of not publicly covered health expenses in Belgium. A detailed overview of relevant data for both institutional and ambulatory care is presented, with time trends and comparison with neighboring countries. We observe that private health expenses in Belgium are high and rising. Out-of-pocket expenses even surpass the level of the US. We make far less use of additional coverage possibilities than our neighbors, regardless of the fact that the self-reported negative consequences of the healthcare related financial burden are expanding.