From 2025, the government plans to reduce the maximum deductible (eigen risico) for specialized treatment from the current 385 euros to 150 euros per request. On average, health insurance policy holders will pay less than 100 euros per year. However, the real beneficiaries of such a solution will primarily be the chronically ill and frequent seekers of medical care.
Every resident of the Netherlands is required to have health insurance and pay monthly premiums for it. The Dutch health insurance system is discussed in detail in an article on our website. (часть 1 и часть 2). Be sure to read them if you have recently arrived in the Netherlands.
What is a medical franchise?
Franchise (personal risk) is included in any insurance contract. The essence of the franchise is that in the event of an insured event, the insured is never compensated for 100% of the damage, part of the costs falls on him. The meaning of the franchise is that the insured does not care if he crashes his car or ends up in the hospital.
A medical deductible in the Netherlands implies that when applying for medical care, the insured is obliged to pay a certain amount before receiving treatment-related costs from his insurance company. It is this amount that is planned to be reduced from 2025. More about the medical franchise - in our article.
How will the changes affect the lives of the Dutch?
Those who are young and healthy will hardly notice the changes, they did not pay the franchise before, and they will not do it in the future. For those who have chronic diseases or are often sick, medicine will become more accessible.
It is the availability of medicine that is the reason for the decisions made on the franchise. Its reduction is part of the coalition agreement when creating the government of Rutte (Mark Rutte). Now the promises are being kept.
Pay attention! When we are talking about reducing the deductible, they talk only about specialized medical care and care (mostly about inpatient treatment and undergoing special procedures). The expediency of its reduction in other branches of medicine is still being discussed.
It can be difficult for people who have recently arrived in the Netherlands to understand the rules of life in a new country. Get written or oral advice on your questions from Nalog.nl specialists!
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Publication Date: 25.01.2023
