Health insurance system
Under the new Health Insurance Act (Zorgverzekeringswet), all residents of the Netherlands are obliged to take out a health insurance.
The system is a private health insurance with social conditions. The system is operated by private health insurance companies; the insurers are obliged to accept every resident in their area of activity. A system of risk equalisation enables the acceptance obligation and prevents direct or indirect risk selection.
The insured pay a nominal premium to the health insurer. Everyone with the same policy will pay the same insurance premium. The Health Insurance Act also provides for an income-related contribution to be paid by the insured. Employers contribute by making a compulsory payment towards the income-related insurance contribution of their employees.
Essential healthcare
The health insurance comprises a standard package of essential healthcare. The package provides essential curative care tested against the criteria of demonstrable efficacy, cost effectiveness and the need for collective financing.
Compulsory excess
Untill 2008, everyone who paid health insurance premiums was entitled to a rebate of up to 255 euros if no claim was made during the preceding year. The scheme was known as the ‘no-claim rebate rule’.
In 2008 the no-claims scheme was replaced by a compulsory excess of 150 euros a year. People with unavoidable long-term health expenses, for example due to chronic illness or disability, are compensated financially.
Like the no-claims bonus, the compulsory excess only applies to people aged 18 and over, and the same forms of healthcare are also excluded. The no-claims scheme still covers bills for 2007, which means the bonus for 2007 will be paid out in March 2008. Healthcare insurers will still be entitled to reclaim incorrectly made payments until 1 April 2009.
References
- Compulsory health insurance if you work in the Netherlands If you work in the Netherlands, you are legally obliged to take out health insurance. This brochure provides information in 11 languages.
- General information about health care in the NetherlandsDocumentation | 11 September 2009 |
pdf, 10 pag., 591 kBThis brochure is for people who work for or are considering working for an international organisation in the Netherlands. By showing you how to get the healthcare you need, it will help you and your dependents get the most out of your stay. It is important to the Dutch people that you feel at home in the Netherlands. - Obligatory health insurance The brochure states that inhabitants of the Netherlands are legally obliged to take out a basic health insurance. This also applies to any dependents they may have.
- Risk adjustment under the Health Insurance Act in the Netherlands
- The new care system in the Netherlands (in three languages)
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Sector organisation of care insurers in the Netherlands
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Cost of illness in the Netherlands
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Health Care Insurance Board
