Health Coverage Guide for Expat
Lauded by foreign politicians as a success story and often derided by locals as overly expensive, health coverage in the Netherlands is an odd marriage of the public and private models. Private health insurance – and Dutch health insurance only – is absolutely compulsory for all residents of the Netherlands. Locals and expatriates alike can avail of the high quality services provided by the health care system.
How does it work?
You will be required (by law) to take out health insurance to cover you for medical and dental expenses. Most policies have an ‘own risk’ clause which lowers the price of the policy but means that the first €170, to take a figure for example, of medical expenses you incur in a year would be at your own expense. Beyond that, most insurance should cover you for regular expenses. The government has put regulations in place that require all insurers to cover at least a basic package.
Insurance policies average €110 per month though this will be far lower if you are a student and far higher if you include comprehensive dental coverage. It is not so common for employers to provide insurance for their employees. More often employers make a monthly contribution to their employees’ insurance. Make sure to inquire with your human resources department to find out if, and to what extent, you are covered.
Main Insurers
Agis Zorgverzekeringen
http://www.agisweb.nl/
0900 8685
Salland
http://www.salland.nl/
0570 68 74 84
Zilveren Kruis Achmea
http://www.zilverenkruis.nl/
0900 8435
To compare insurers and to get information on the best deals available visits
Registration
Pharmacies (for prescription services), doctors and hospitals require that you register with them before using their services. Of course it will not be a problem to register once you actually have need for these services but it is good to know where you would like to go ahead of time.
