A report by the Dutch Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) and the Dutch Healthcare Authority (NZa) has revealed that many residents overpay for health insurance in the Netherlands. In 2023, 61 percent of people in the country paid on average 103 euros more than necessary for insurance costs.

Similar health insurance policies for higher prices

Those living and working in the Netherlands are required to take out Dutch health insurance to cover things like appointments with doctors, getting prescriptions filled by pharmacies, treatments in hospitals and even dental care for children under 18 years. There are four major health insurance companies in the Netherlands, namely Zilveren Kruis, VGZ, CZ and Menzis, which all together control 90 percent of the Dutch healthcare market.

Based on research by ACM and NZa, many health insurance policies offered by Dutch health insurance providers are almost identical, with very small differences between them but at higher prices. 

It is illegal for companies in the Netherlands to offer the same policy for different prices, also known as premium differentiation. However, to get around the rule insurance companies offer policies with trivial changes at higher prices without explaining that these differences are essentially unnecessary. The complex way these policies are presented to consumers means that many Dutch residents don’t choose cheaper alternatives and end up overpaying for health insurance. 

Recommended measures to address health insurance issues

Along with the plans of the new Dutch cabinet to reduce the health insurance deductible by more than half, other organisations have also put forward some suggestions to reduce issues with health insurance costs.

Expanding the ban on premium differentiation to limit similar insurance packages and simplifying the decision-making process for consumers are some of the measures suggested by the ACM and NZa to address the issues. The Council for Health and Society (RVS) has also proposed in the past that health insurance costs should correspond with a person’s income and that deductibles should be capped for those suffering with chronic illnesses.