Dutch medical health system and rates

While I believe that the Dutch health care system is pretty good the financial side can be complicated. I have given a short summary of how it is organised for the general practitioner (GP) below in relationship to the billing.

All Dutch citizens are obliged by law to have a Dutch Basic Health Insurance Policy (basisverzekering). The basisverzekering offers a universal package for everyone over the age of 18 years, this is regardless of gender, age and health. It is in principle illegal for Health Insurance Companies to refuse an application or impose special conditions.
The Dutch government decides every year, what is covered and what the compulsory excess (eigen risico) is. The prices for consultation either by mail, phone or in person are determined by the government. If you don’t take out insurance while you are required to do so, you risk a fine. You may opt for a Supplementary Insurance to cover medical cost that are not (fully) covered by the basisverzekering, like the cost of Fysiotherapy, Dental Care, glasses and Alternative Healthcare.

All the consultations done in the GP office for people with a dutch basic health insurance policy are billed directly to the insurance company. A quarterly amount is also billed per person regardless of how often they need a doctor.

Some students and expats do not have a obligatory Dutch basic health insurance. They pay after their consultation. This is the case for physical consultations, but also for phone, email, and app (uwzorgonline) consultations. They can pay with cash or by card in the practice. For the consultations by phone, by email or through the uwzorgonline app they will receive an invoice through email. With their invoice they can ask for a reimbursement with their own health care insurance. The rates for consultations are determined by the NZA, the dutch healthcare authority. There is no quarterly billing.

Read more at h4i.nl or download their brochure at h4i.nl/brochure-hcnl/