Health care in the Netherlands

As of January 2006, a new insurance system for curative healthcare came into force in the Netherlands. Under the new Health Insurance Act (Zorgverzekeringswet), all residents of the Netherlands are obliged to take out a health insurance.

The new system is a private health insurance with social conditions. The system is operated by private health insurance companies; the insurers are obliged to accept every resident in their area of activity. A system of risk equalisation enables the acceptance obligation and prevents direct or indirect risk selection.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• health
• care
• healthcare
• netherlands
• private
• public
• insurance
• solidarity
• risk
• equalization
• equalisation

[Evanna11LilyLuna]

Uhm, the Netherlands isn't a city at all, and it's quite nice here...

[TheWilliamcale]

thedutch are strange people

my family well half of them came from tis place

they invented the bank the stock market

the corporation they had an mazing nazy in the 18th century good mercenaries tiny tiny nation that contributed so much to the world includeing leglaizing drugs and prostitution, i never understood the dutch

they puzzle me but they are smart people

so its uselful to see what ideas they come up with

[qmoney000]

The Netherlands is not a city and amsterdam is not a separate country. You might think the Netherlands has a perfect health care for it's residents. But it is the worst in the world. The doctors don't have the good motivation, experience and knowledge. Because they simply don't have enough customers. They get paid anyway, people who suffer from particular diseases are not being helped. And the residents pay much more than they should pay.

[raymondgreat]

I think the Dutch is one of or the highest social country of the world ^^. They are so  good with everything, and so neutral :D

[sidburyman]

@TheWilliamcale Sorry to be a pedantic bore but the Italians invented the banks and drugs have never been legalised in the Netherlands - the authorities just choose not to enforce the law in certain circumstances, particularly with small scale use of soft drugs.

You're right though - they have been the world leaders in implementing practical, fearless social policies and have punched well above their weight in the world

[Leviwosc]

@brittanyann182: 16 hours is insane... this means that there's a poor regulation of the staff for the emergency rooms. Don't you have more hospitals in one city?

[brittanyann182]

Furthermore if you have a dislocated shoulder, and are in cronic pain for a long time... but it isnt of a certain measurement you have to wait to have surgery on it untill gravity pushes your shoulder down more, ripping the tendents, muscles and nerves apart, not ggiving them time to heal. The damage done by such *rules* is irrevesable.

Anyway I just wanted to say I definetely think these dutch people have started a good thing,, hopefully the other politicians of the world will follow suit.

[brittanyann182]

As a canadian, I recive 100% free health care. but with that health care comes rules, and super long wait times. The last time I went to the emergency room I waited 16 hours before seeing a doctor.

[BlueDoc1984]

There is no pre-aprovement from insurance comp's for operations/treatments covered by basic insurance which includes all basic and lifesaving operations and treatments, but not things like for example all cosmetic surgery (it does cover things like breast implants for breast cancer patiënts and things like that) There are (almost) no waiting lists. O yeah people who can't afford basic insurance can get subsidized by the gov for up to about half their premiums. hope this clears things up for

[BlueDoc1984]

There is a basic insurance obliged by law. It's provided by private insurance companies who cannot deny you. What is covered by basic insurance is decided by the gov. the cost is about E90-100 per month. You can get additional insurance for things that are not in basic insurance. (for example physical therapy). For maximum coverage you pay about an extra 50 euro's. There is a "risk of your own" E 250,- per year but does not includ e everything, like visiting you family doctor.

[mrispens]

Price & Product