COMPARE HEALTH INSURANCE

WHAT TO CHECK

• Basic cover is set by law; the premium differs per insurer.
• A higher voluntary excess lowers your premium but raises your exposure to care costs.
• Add-on packages only make sense if you genuinely use that care, such as dental or physio.
• Whether your hospital, therapist or provider is contracted with the insurer.
• In-kind, reimbursement or combined policies and what that means for free choice.
• Whether you qualify for healthcare allowance, and whether you actually receive it.

WHAT YOU COMPARE ON HEALTH INSURANCE

In the Dutch system the basic insurance cover is set by law and therefore identical at every insurer. The difference sits in price, terms and freedom of choice. These are the points to line up.

• The monthly premium for the basic insurance.
• The compulsory deductible, which is the same for everyone, and the voluntary deductible you can raise yourself.
• The policy type: in kind, reimbursement or a combination, and what that means for choosing your own provider.
• Which providers are contracted: your GP, hospital, physiotherapist, dentist or mental health provider.
• The reimbursement rules for non contracted care, often a percentage of a tariff rather than the full bill.
• Supplementary packages: what is actually covered, with which maximum amounts, waiting times and conditions.
• Whether medical acceptance applies to a supplementary package, particularly for dental cover.
• Payment options: monthly or annually, and whether paying up front gives a discount.
• Whether a collective scheme through work or an association still offers an advantage on the supplementary package.

WORK OUT WHAT YOU ACTUALLY NEED

Comparing starts with you, not with the premium. The question is which care you will realistically use in the coming year.

• Look back at last year: which care did you use and what did you pay yourself?
• If you know about ongoing treatment, medication or a planned procedure, include it.
• If you visit the dentist or a physiotherapist, check whether the supplementary package costs more than it reimburses.
• If you have a regular practitioner, check they are contracted before you choose on price.
• If something in your life is changing, such as a pregnancy plan, a move or a chronic condition, weigh that in.
• Check whether you are entitled to healthcare allowance and whether you actually claim and receive it.

WHY PRICE ALONE IS THE WRONG TEST

The cheapest policy is not automatically the cheapest outcome. A lower premium almost always comes from somewhere.

• A higher voluntary deductible lowers your premium, but you have to be able to pay that amount when you need care.
• Budget policies often contract fewer providers, which can leave you paying part of the bill.
• With non contracted care only part is reimbursed. You pay the difference.
• Supplementary packages can cost more than you get back over a year.
• Do the maths: premium over twelve months plus expected deductible plus expected own contributions.

IF THE PREMIUM IS TOO HEAVY

Health insurance is compulsory, so stopping is not an option. If you are stuck, go through your insurer and your municipality rather than letting the payment slide.

• Ask your insurer for a payment arrangement before arrears build up.
• Check whether you qualify for healthcare allowance and whether the amount still matches your income.
• Many municipalities offer a collective health policy for residents on a low income. Ask yours.
• Separate legal rules apply once payments fall behind. The earlier you make contact, the more room there is.

POLICY TYPES SIDE BY SIDE

The basic cover is the same. The difference is who you may choose and what you get back from a non contracted provider.

STEPS

1. 01Look backWhich care did you actually use last year and what did it cost you?
2. 02Set your excessOnly raise it if you have a buffer that can absorb that amount.
3. 03Compare on totalPremium plus expected out-of-pocket costs plus add-ons, across a full year.

Switching is generally possible at the end of the calendar year. Check current deadlines with your insurer and official government information.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Is the basic insurance the same everywhere?

The cover of the basic insurance is set by law and is therefore the same in substance. Premium, policy type, contracted providers and service do differ per insurer.

Should I raise my deductible?

Only if you can genuinely miss the full amount at the moment you need care. You lower your premium but raise your risk. Without a buffer that is rarely a good trade.

Do I need supplementary insurance?

It depends on your expected care use. Compare the annual premium against the maximum reimbursement. If you barely use the care, paying yourself is often cheaper.

When can I switch?

Switching is usually possible around the turn of the year, within the statutory deadlines. Check the current dates with your insurer and on official government information.

Will I always be accepted?

For the basic insurance insurers must accept you. For supplementary packages they may ask questions or decline, for example for extensive dental cover.

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