Overview
Everyone living in The Netherlands is obliged to have health insurance, which costs between 80 euro and 150 euro each month. There are a couple of health insurance companies and you can decide which one to use. Some companies cover more dental procedures while others cover more physiotherapy or alternative medicines. You can choose within your health insurance which package you want (for example, how many physiotherapy treatments covered, or how many dental controls covered). Primary care is always covered by your insurance. For certain doctor visits in hospital, diagnostics procedures, ambulance rides and medication, you will have to pay until you have reached a certain spending threshold – your ‘’own risk’’ (deductible). You can decide by yourself how much you want to pay for you own risk. If you have a high own risk, you pay less every month. If you have a low own risk, you pay more every month. Your own risk cost is between 385 and 500 euro. Chlidren are also obliged to have health insurance but do not pay for “own risk”. If you have an income below a certain amount of money you can get a healthcare allowance. The less you earn, the higher your allowance will be.
What happens if you need to see a doctor?
Everyone living in The Netherlands has a general practitioner (GP) or family doctor. You can choose by yourself but the practice must be close to your living area (in case of a house visit). If there is a medical problem you can go to your GP. Depending on the severity of the complaints you can get an appointment the same day or in 1-2 days. The GP can refer you to a specialist or emergency center in the hospital. You cannot go to a specialist in the hospital without a referral, unless you are already receiving treatment from a specialist, like for diabetes.
Who decides what doctors can prescribe?
The Medicines Evaluation Board (MEB) is an independent administrative body that falls under the central government and independently decides on the authorization and monitoring of medicines for human use. The European Medicines Agency is also responsible for the scientific evaluation of medicines developed by pharmaceutical companies for use in the European Union.
Practically, what is it like to live with type 1 diabetes in the Netherlands?
All materials including blood glucose test strips, ketone strips, pumps, syringes, medication, insulin, therapy and treatment is covered by your insurance company. Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) devices are only covered for pregnant woman, people with severe hypos and poor managed diabetes and some children. Diabetes specialists are available in all regions. There is a special diabetes clinic for children with diabetes. People tend to go and see the specialist every quarter where they will look at your blood glucose values, do an HbA1c test, talk to you about the therapy and see if you might have any complications. People with diabetes have a low ‘’own risk’’ insurance because they always reach the full payment of the deductable quickly (by January you will have gone over the amount with ordering insulin alone).The rest of the year you would only pay your insurance fee every month, not the ‘’own risk’’ fee.
What about getting admitted to the hospital?
If you have a severe emergency, you are free to go to the nearest hospital where they will help you immediately. If it is not an emergency then you first need to go to your GP, or if it happens during the evening/night you need to go to the GP on duty. If you think it is an emergency and you go directly to the emergency center but they do not think it is an emergency, they will refer you to the GP on duty (usually located in a part of the hospital). Rescue cars are available under the number 112. You do not have to pay for a rescue car, it will come out of your “own risk” deductable.
How does diabetes care vary throughout the Netherlands?
The rules on which the health care system is based are exactly the same throughout the Netherlands. Sometimes some medicines are not available, but there is always a good alternative.
A huge thank you to Lisanne Jonker who lives in The Netherlands and helped us with this information.
Last updated 2016