Health insurance in the Netherlands
In the Netherlands, health insurance is compulsory for every adult. Healthcare is privatised, which means that you can choose an insurer yourself. The contents of the packages are the same for each insurer when it comes to basic health insurance. However, the premiums may differ, this is because each insurer has different agreements with hospitals. In addition, the premium can differ because you can choose from different types of policies: you can opt for a free choice of care (this is often more expensive) or for contracted care. The latter means that you will only be reimbursed for all care if you go to a hospital with which your insurer has made an appointment.
Supplementary health insurance
In addition to the basic health insurance, you can take out supplementary health insurance in the Netherlands, this additional health insurance is not mandatory. One of the additional packages you can choose is the dental insurance. Oral care is not reimbursed under the basic health insurance, with a few exceptions such as the dental surgeon. Since the costs of a visit to the dentist can quickly add up, many people purchase dental insurance.
Dental insurance
The health insurers reimburse a certain percentage of your dental costs through additional dental insurance. In addition to this reimbursement percentage, health insurers also apply a maximum reimbursement amount. It may therefore be that, for example, you will be reimbursed 80% of the costs up to a maximum of € 500 on an annual basis. The higher the reimbursement from the dental insurance, the sooner the insurer will apply acceptance conditions. This means that your health insurer first wants to get an idea of the condition and health of your teeth on the basis of a dental statement.
Terms of acceptance
When taking out dental insurance, you may have to deal with acceptance conditions with certain insurers. This means that before you are admitted as a new customer, you must undergo some sort of inspection. Your insurer will also want to gain insight into the condition of your teeth. Depending on how extensive your dental insurance is exactly, you need to fill in a questionnaire or send a statement from your own dentist about the condition of your teeth.
Deductible excess
In the Netherlands there is a deductible excess, which can be divided into the compulsory deductible and voluntary deductible. The obligatory deductible excess has been set at € 385,- and means that you have to pay the first € 385,- on an annual basis in healthcare costs yourself. If you choose for the voluntary deductible excess the maximum amount is € 885,- a year. Some care is excluded from the deductible excess. With regard to the reimbursement of regular dental costs, no deductible applies, as these costs are not covered by the basic insurance. Certain forms of special dental care and oral surgery do fall under the basic package: for these costs you may therefore have to deal with the deductible excess.
