With more than 10 health insurance providers, it can feel overwhelming to choose the best one. There are lots of different packages to use. While many times it feels that getting the basic and cheapest package will save you money, experience has shown that.. cheap can be expensive. I write down 6 hidden perks of the Dutch health insurance. You might need to initially pay more, but these perks eventually save you money.
If you are still searching for your first Dutch health insurance policy, take a look at my step-by-step guide. It explains how to get health insurance in the Netherlands.
1. Reimbursement for Health Care Abroad
Nobody wants to get sick or get an accident when on holiday. But if this happens (and it happens often) is good to be covered by your Dutch health care insurance:
- Applies to EU and non-EU countries
- Most of the times you need to pay upfront and send you receipts for reimbursement. Do not forget to ask for a receipt translated in English!
- You usually need to buy a supplementary health insurance, check with the provider of your choice.
- The costs covered are up to Dutch rates.
Estimated savings range from €100 to several thousand euros, depending on your situation.
2. Free maternity and postnatal care
Are you planning to get pregnant? In the Netherlands maternity care is largely covered by the health insurance. Still, there are small personal contributions (eigen bijdragen) and deductibles to be aware of.
- Check what exactly is covered and what you have to contribute in the health insurance of your choice.
- Check if your health insurance packet covers free maternity care or you need to add another packet
- Check if you can buy maternity care package from the moment you are pregnant. Alternatively, you might need to buy the package at the start of your insurance policy.
Estimated savings range from €300 to several thousand euros, depending on your situation.
3. Free chat with a medical specialist
The health system of the Netherlands is heavily understaffed. This means long waiting times for an appointment but also to speak to an assistant. In many GP (General Practitioner) centers, you can send a message with your (non urgent) medical question. They promise to reply to you in 48 hours. Some times this causes unnecessary stress.
There are health insurances like Zilveren Kruis in which you ask your question to a medical specialist via an app. The app is in Dutch but you can chat with the specialist in English. The waiting time is only 20 minutes.. Do not forget to check if the free chat is included in your insurance package.
Potential savings: hours on the phone.
4. Free skin checks
It is good to evaluate your moles once a year. This is especially true if you had lots of sunburns in childhood. It is also important if you have a lot of moles or live or have lived in a sunny region. Did you know that you can get skin checks at home with SkinVision? Then you do not have to visit your doctor unless it is deemed necessary. You can download the app and pay for a 6 month or a yearly usage. Or you can find a health insurer that includes SkinVision check in their package.
Potential savings: €25 – €50.
5. Free physiotherapy sessions
Do you need physiotherapy appointments regularly? The good thing is that usually you book them directly with the physiotherapist and not via the GP. The not so good thing is that you need to pay for them. Some health insurers like CZ offer you 5 physiotherapy appointments per year for free.
- Be sure to check which physiotherapists are covered by your health insurer.
Potential savings: €100+
6. Couples therapy
Many think about it, not so many go for it. Some like to do it preventively.
- Check with your insurer if they cover it. Usually it is covered under alternative treatments.
- Be sure to check which therapists are covered by your insurer.
Potential savings: €300+
Do not forget to check your health insurance deductible before you start booking appointments!
Stay savvy.
