In the Netherlands, all residents and employees are required by law to have standard health insurance, which covers partially the cost of visits to a general practitioner, hospital treatments, prescription medication, and more. The government decides on the coverage provided by the standard package, and all insurers offer the same package. Insurers are required to accept anyone who applies for standard insurance and must charge the same premium to all policyholders, regardless of their age or health status.

The Dutch health insurance comprises two components, the employer's premium and the employee's premium. When working with ITSync, the employer's premium is paid from day one by us. However, the employee's premium is outsourced to commercial parties, and employees are free to choose their health insurer.

Employee's premium:

1. To register for health insurance, you will need your BSN and post code (house contract)
2. Visit the independer site and based on your age, gender and family members your basic monthly health insurance payment will be calculated.
3. You get to add up additional services to the basic coverage such as dentist, physiotherapy, glasses etc
4. Then you view different insurance suppliers.

** Check if all hospitals are included and how many options are in your area.

A quick explanation of the costing system: Every month you pay a fixed amount of money based on your preferences and the choice of package (on the left of your screen).

For example: if you choose the standard €385 package, every month you will pay a fixed €122. If you need to visit a doctor and later you need to have tests done or be sent to another special practitioner you will need to pay extra. Once you reach €385 (your standard package) in additional medical costs within a year then your insurance pays for the rest of the year's medical costs. This is not connected with the €122 which you will still pay monthly. From the €122 your assigned medical practitioner gets paid, whom you visit without paying.

On the other hand if you choose the most expensive package €885, then your monthly contribution will fall to €102. That means that your insurance jumps in to cover your additional medical costs after €885. 

(the standard package and the monthly contribution can vary based on your details & preferences)

If you are coming to live or work in the Netherlands, you should register with a Dutch health insurance company as soon as possible, within 4 months at the latest. If you do not take out health insurance within 4 months, you will be uninsured, and if you receive care during this period, you will not be reimbursed. Failure to obtain health insurance can result in fines and retroactive billing for the months you were not insured because it calculates it from the day your received your BSN not the day you applied for it!

For consultants coming from non-European countries, it's important to have health insurance coverage when arriving in the Netherlands. If your current insurance is provided by your employer or state back home, it may not be valid in the Netherlands. You'll need to get temporary private health insurance that activates on your last working day. This insurance should cover your medical needs in the Netherlands and provide travel and medical coverage abroad. Each country has different insurance providers, so you'll have to find a suitable one for coverage in the Netherlands. Once you register in the Netherlands and receive your BSN, ITSync will help you apply for employee health insurance with a Dutch insurance company. This ensures you have medical coverage during your time there.

Keep in mind that all amounts mentioned are for 2023. Every insurance company has the €385 standard package but different insurance companies can offer various packages and different monthly payment methods, which is usually topped up through your Dutch bank account. My advice would be to arrange for an automatic top up after your pay day.

Increased Health Insurance Premiums

One of the most notable changes in 2024 is the rise in health insurance premiums. The average monthly premium for basic health insurance policies will increase by approximately €9. This puts the average monthly cost at around €147.35. This adjustment in premiums is a reflection of the dynamic nature of healthcare financing and is aimed at maintaining the quality and accessibility of healthcare services.

Changes to Basic Insurance Packages
The basic insurance packages are also undergoing some changes. Notable additions for 2024 include exercise therapy for fall prevention, extended recovery care for long COVID continuing until 2025, and a significant extension of maternity care reimbursement, now covering six weeks instead of the previous ten days. These enhancements to the basic package aim to provide more comprehensive care and support to the insured.

Important Deadlines to Remember

Staying on top of critical deadlines is essential in managing your health insurance effectively:

• November 12th: This is the deadline for health insurers to announce their new policies and premiums for the coming year.
• December 31st: The last day to cancel your existing insurance plan.
• January 31st: The final date to enrol in a new health insurance plan or cancel the new plan you chose in December because might be in doubt.

Changing Health Insurance Providers or Policies
Each year, between November 12th and December 31st, residents have the opportunity to change their health insurance provider or adjust their existing policy. This period is when you can switch to a different insurance provider or make changes to your current policy, such as altering your personal contribution (eigen bijdrage). Changes made during this window become effective from January 1st of the next year, allowing for a seamless transition.

Transfer Service for Ease of Switching
To facilitate the process of changing providers, health insurers offer a transfer service. If you sign up for a new policy with a different insurer before December 31st, they can handle the cancellation of your current policy. This service simplifies the process, ensuring that you're not left uninsured while transitioning between policies.

When switching health insurance providers in December remember the specifics of payment timing:

• Health Insurance Payment in Advance: Typically, health insurance premiums are paid a month in advance. Therefore, when you decide to switch providers in December, the premium paid to your old provider for January would be reimbursed.
• Managing Reimbursements and New Payments: The reimbursement from your old provider for the January premium might create a temporary surplus in your budget. However, it's crucial to note that your new insurance provider will require payment for both January and February in the first month of the switch, leading to a double payment in January.