Mon, 28 May 2012
| Index | Last | Var.(%) |
|---|---|---|
| BEL 20 | 2119.44 | 0.28 |
| DAX | 6339.94 | 0.38 |
| IBEX 30 | 6543 | 0.13 |
| CAC 40 | 3047.94 | 0.32 |
| FTSE 100 | 5351.53 | 0.03 |
| AEX | 292.76 | 0.23 |
| DJIA | 12454.83 | -0.60 |
| Nasdaq | 2837.53 | -0.07 |
| FTSE MIB | 13154.8 | 0.36 |
| TSX Composite | 11576.47 | 0.09 |
| ASX | 4113.6 | 0.79 |
| Hang seng | 18811.99 | 0.53 |
| Straits Times | 2784.45 | 0.42 |
| ISEQ 20 | 500.94 | 1.55 |
Text size
General medical care is high in the Netherlands but non-interventionist in nature.
Here’s a current guide to health insurance, doctors, dentists and pharmacies.
The Dutch healthcare system has undergone radical change in the last few years. It is now mandatory for everyone to have at least a base level of insurance (basisverzekering) or run the risk of a warning and fines. However, you are free to choose your own health insurer (zorgverzekeraar) and change companies once a year.
Duth health insurance
You must take out insurance with a Dutch insurer within four months of arrival even if you already have an existing policy that gives you cover in the Netherlands. Children under 18 are included in their parents' insurance. A Dutch insurance company cannot refuse to cover for you for the basic package, regardless of your age or state of health. The standard basic package is pretty much the same from all providers except that costs may vary. If your income is under a fixed minimum level, you can apply for a healthcare allowance (zorgtoeslag) from the tax authorities (belastingdienst). Visit website www.toeslagen.nl (in Dutch) for more details. The trade association of health insurance providers (www.zn.nl) includes some information in English and the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport (www.rijksoverheid.nl/ministeries/vws) has a downloadable leaflet on the health insurance obligation (in ten languages) as well as detailed information in English on many medical aspects. At www.kiesbeter.nl (‘choose better') and www.independer.nl you can compare health insurance (zorgverzekeringen) and find the cheapest (goedkoopste) basispakket. Both websites are in Dutch.
Tip: You can cut your monthly costs by around EUR 8 through taking out an internet-based package. Online working reduces admin costs for the insurer. This is popular with students but is not age-related.
Basic insurance
The basic insurance covers general medical care (visits to the huisarts, for example), hospital stays, dental care for up to age 18, prescription medicine and various appliances. Costs start at approximately EUR 100 a month. The government keeps tweaking this package.
You will need extra coverage for extensive dental treatment, physiotherapy or anything else the government considers to be your own responsibility, and it is in these additional areas where companies compete. You can change the extras each year. Some insurance companies have policy documents in English. It is also worth checking with your colleagues and, if you work at a company, whether there is a collective scheme that provides a discount. Some employers cover (some) costs. If you are self-employed, you may want to take out extra cover. Always check that the healthcare supplier (such as a physiotherapist) is registered with your particular insurer before starting treatment.
From 2011 there is a compulsory excess of EUR 170 on medical bills (verplicht eigen risico) for care not covered under the general health package. For additional treatment, you will pay via your insurer the first EUR 170 of bills. You can choose a higher ‘own risk' amount in which case your monthly premiums will be lower.
Information about insurance from the Ministry of Health (in English).
No smoking
Since 1 July 2008, smoking has been banned in cafes, pubs, clubs, restaurants and hotels. Separate, enclosed, smoking zones are possible but food and drink cannot be served in them. The rule applies to tobacco smoking so doesn't apply to coffee shops (although the counter where you buy soft drugs must be a smoke-free zone).
Doctor (huisarts)
A huisarts is a family doctor and you need to register with one close to your home. The idea is that they are no more than ten minutes away in case of house calls. Some will turn you away because they are already full. Your insurance company can provide a list or check the local gemeentegids (a guide to everything in your area). Sound out friends and colleagues for recommendations. You'll need a referral from a huisarts to receive non-urgent medical treatment from a hospital or other specialist health provider (like a physiotherapist). Many practices have a spreekuur (or consultation hour) where you can consult your doctor. At weekends or during holidays you’ll hear a recorded message on their telephone telling you how to contact on-call medical services. For emergencies your huisarts can alert the hospital (for instance, if you've broken your ankle while skating, they call ahead to ensure they are ready to see you in X-rays). Don't expect a lot of medication: Dutch doctors are generally reluctant to hand out antibiotics for instance.
Dentist
A dentist (tandarts) can also be located via your insurance company and this is one area where you want to check your policy carefully. Dental care for those under 18 is covered in basic insurance. An annual check-up may be included in the basic insurance package (but not the hygienist fees, for instance). You can pay for additional cover.
From 1 January 2012, dentists will be able to regulate their prices rather than comply with set costs for checkups and procedures. Following this, insurance companies will be obliged to list online up to how much they reimburse per consultation or treatment and dentists will also be obliged to list their prices on their websites to allow clients to choose a dentist that balances the prices they can afford with the quality they seek. This governmental decision to liberalize dental services hasn't been well received by the Dutch who simply see that they could potentially end up paying more for dental services.
GGD: Healthcare for children
The municipal health service (Gemeentelijke Gezondheidsdienst, www.ggd.nl) covers all aspects of children's growth and development from 4 to 19 years. On the website you can search for your local GGD, but if you have young children, they'll probably find you first via your registration with the GBA. Inoculations and checks from birth to age four take place at the consultatiebureau, which is usually part of the GGD. Expect a big check-up just before starting school. Publications are available in several languages.
Hospitals
Accident and emergency is EHBO (Eerste Hulp Bij Ongelukken) and the emergency services line is 112. For a hospital admission for non-emergency treatment, keep your insurance company informed and check your policy. Your insurers will require a referral letter from your huisarts. You make the appointment with the specialist at the hospital yourself.
Pharmacies
Once you have located a huisarts, you then need to locate a nearby pharmacy where you will pick up subscriptions. If this pharmacy deals with your particular insurance scheme, you won't have to pay bills directly. Pharmacists are highly-trained and are able to give advice for minor complaints. Opening hours vary but the address of the nearest out-of-hours pharmacy will be indicated on the door. Drogists supply over-the-counter remedies. Read 'Being working parents in the Netherlands', which gives information on maternity leave in the Netherlands plus some useful contacts.
Maternity leave
In the Netherlands, the Work and Care act came into effect in 2001 to protect the health and safety of pregnant women, and to make sure that parents have an effective balance between work and family.
New mothers are entitled to 16 weeks paid leave in the Netherlands. During this time, they are entitled to 100% of their earnings paid out by their employers or the Uitvoeringsinstituut Werknemers Verzekeringen (UWV). Pregnant women may leave on pregnancy leave (zwangerschapsverlof) between four to six weeks before their due dates. After the birth, women are entitled to ten weeks of childbirth leave (bevallingsverlof), even if the child is born later than expected. Read Being working parents in the Netherlands for full details.
Having a baby in the Netherlands
“Ten to fifteen years ago, midwives were more against pain relief. But nowadays, this is an outdated image.”
Monique Schers, Royal Dutch Association of Midwives.
The Netherlands has a good record in prenatal care and safe childbirth. A quarter of babies are born at home. Your insurance company will supply you with a special package for giving birth at home. A midwife, an independent medical practitioner, will generally be your sole care provider during your pregnancy and delivery. Also, there are more and more doulas available these days, an experienced woman who can give continuity of care, complementary to the midwife or obstetrician. They are (not yet) covered by insurance though. Should you prefer to give birth in a hospital, just let your midwife know. However, you should also check that your insurer will cover a ‘poliklinische' hospital birth. Some hospitals have birth centres, where the environment is made more ‘homely'. If you do deliver your baby in a hospital you can often be back at home the same day for postnatal care.
Regular check-ups take place with the midwife. Prenatal testing and genetic screening are not routine for women under 36 unless there is some medical history that puts her or the baby into a higher risk category. But if you need further tests, your midwife will refer you. There are many types of birth preparation classes, some of which are offered through a local homecare (thuiszorg) organisation.
There is a wide choice of prenatal classes for you and your partner. Advice centre ACCESS runs a number of popular ones, from the general workshop ‘Having a Baby in the Netherlands' to childbirth preparation and breastfeeding classes. Pregnancy yoga is extremely popular, offering a variety of approaches, from gentle breathing and relaxation exercises to more energetic stretching. One of the best things about taking a class is meeting other parents-to-be and sharing experiences, information and concerns.
Finding a midwife
The majority of Dutch women are usually cared for by a midwife (verloskundige or vroedvrouw) during pregnancy and childbirth. Gynaecologists/obstetricians are generally only part of the care process for women who have (or expect to have) complications. You can choose to have your baby at home (thuisbevalling) or at a hospital with a midwife (poliklinische bevalling). When locating a midwife, word of mouth is best but your huisarts might be able to make a recommendation. You can also visit the website of the Royal Dutch Association of Midwives (www.knov.nl). It is important to let your midwife know your feelings about pain relief.
While some women complain that the Dutch childbirth system is becoming too medicalised, and others that it is not medicalised enough, everyone loves the postnatal care (kraamzorg). Once your baby has arrived, you will be given assistance at home by a maternity nurse (kraamverzorgster). She will monitor you and your baby's health, teach some general childcare and set up a daily routine. Best of all, it may include household help. The amount of kraamzorg varies (from a few hours a day for eight days to full-time care) and a representative will come round to discuss what is appropriate. The insurance generally covers the costs.
ACCESS: (www.access-nl.org); ACCESS publishes an excellent Babies and Toddlers book.
Midwives: (www.knov.nl)
Doulas: (www.doula.nl)
Thuiszorg: (thuiszorg.startpagina.nl)
Relevant articles on Expatic which include more useful links and information are ‘Maternity matters What to expect in the Netherlands’ and ‘Childbirth in Holland’ and Being working parents in the Netherlands, which gives information on maternity leave in the Netherlands plus some useful contacts.
(Having a baby section updated with the help of pregnancy yoga teacher Joyce Pula)
Hi,
I would be glad if somebody could send me a link where I could find information about legal form of Dutch hospitals, especially large ones where doctors are educated.
Thanks Vaclav
I've recently moved to Amsterdam, and in trying to get health insurance through my employer I've learned that in order to get health insurance I must have a residence permit (according to my HR department this is Dutch Law). As I'm still being processed through the IND it could take a few months before I get a residence permit. It also seems that in order to get a residence permit I must first have health insurance. I noticed this is not mentioned in the article here. Has anyone else had this experience?
The article claims that your are free to choose your health insurance. In practice however you are limited to Dutch insurance companies as these are the only ones recognised as offering the legally required cover. Expats often prefer worldwide or regional health cover so that they can get treatment paid for wherever they happen to be - the current Dutch system forces you to take out local insurance as well as or instead of any worldwide cover. In effect the new system creates a nice monopoly for local insurers and you could argue that it represents a barrier to the free movement of labour.
This is so irresponsible. The HEALTH CARE is not the same as the HEALTH CARE system. The Dutch health care, in terms of quality, is years behind state-of-the-art. Its so-called "non-interventionist" policy contributes to the fact that it has a frighteningly high cancer fatality rate (mammograms, anyone?), one of the worst infant mortality rates in the developed world, and does not even offer certain medications and cancer treatments because they are too expensive. It would be one thing if Holland had a two-tier system, in which those who could afford certain treatments and wanted them could have access, but that's not the case. Rather, it's like a schoolroom, where if every child can't have candy, no one can have candy. It's third-world. Let's not propagandize here, folks. Dutch health care is not "high." It's just cheap. No surprise there.
Let's say that as long as you are healthy, no need to worry..... and if you do get sick, then the chance you need to get help somewhere else (own country?!?) is very high.
I would like to reply to Andrew (posted 11/02/2009).
There are a couple of specialised Insurance Brokers, such as ISEP BV, able to arrange Medical Health Insurance worldwide.
The point is indeed that it takes month to get a residence permit and before getting this document it is almost impossible to find an insurer willing to grant you Basic Health Insurance cover before that.
ISEP works closely together with insurers able to arrange immediate cover. Once you obtained the Residence Permit and other useful documents, like the GBA-form and a pay-slip proving that you pay Dutch Social security etc., these companies can transfer you to the standard Dutch Basic Health Cover.
Once you are moving abroad you can then change your policy again into an International Medical Insurance with worldwide cover.
For further information, please visit their website: www.isep.nl
Kind Regards,
Jack Fanoy
Which health care??? This website is so biased!!
Dutch Healthcare is very good but a requirement is that you have to stay healthy, otherwise it means take a number and hope you don't die before a doctor sees you. That is why there is such a shortage in healtcare personel in Holland.
We immigrated from Holland to America in 1958 because of the free choice and great care. But it is a fact that Health Insurance here in America is very expensive and lately hardly affordable especially for the senior citizen on only Social Security income. Now Obama wants to get us to Socialized care. We might as wel move back to Holland....take a number and hope we don't die waiting for a doctor to see us. Mr. Reagan if I could bring you back to life I would. From all the Presidents you had the most common sense. I am sure you would have an answer to this fat mess we are in.
Is it fools day? Else I can't understand this article. Dutch health system is better than many countries, mostly third world countries... However, when it comes to European standards many expats end up returning to their original countries for health care. Why? Not because of language barriers, but due to the lack of care that people receive. The "non-interventionist" approach relies on probability, and I prefer to be 100% sure I don't have cancer, and 99% sure I don't have cancer... 1% is far too much to risk someone's life.
...NOT! After having lived in The Netherlands for several years, my experiencies and those of dozens of expats I know, are extremelly disappointed. Dutch healthcare is bad. Period. It has the worst of private (high prices) with the worse of publc (over-crowding, waiting lists, etc). I had surgery there and the medical level was underpar (definitely worse than my home Spain). So far I've found the British NHS system to be one of the best in the world. Not the Dutch.
Dutch healthcare is sh@#$...its the worst in Europe - not the best. Non-interventionist??? means that a Dutch doctor sits on one side of the desk and asks you what is wrong. Never touches you and certainly would not prescribe antibiotics, unless of course you are actually dead, in which case he would recommend euthanasia to you.
Dont kid yourselves - if you have lived anywhere else in Western Europe, you would never ever recommend the Dutch system to anyone. Maybe its better than the Turkish system? I dont know. Be very interesting to know the criteria on which this inane statement is based.
Child mortality is high (amongst the highest in Europe - 25% higher than in Spain, 100% higher than in Finland), family doctors (huisarts) do not turn you away for being full: they're just lazy like most Ducth and are not bothered to "work more". On a country that th average individual tax burden is well above 40%, having to pay, on top of that, for health insurance is ridiculous. And that does not even cover for a decent preganancy follow up and child delivery in a modern hospital room. The Ducth health care system is third world class. Period. Talk to any non-dutch and 99% are going to tell you the same. Go to other countries and there is only a fraction of expats unhappy with the local health care. That speaks by itself.
The USA health care system is bad, but having experienced both, the Dutch is FAR worse.
I'm from Holland and our health care system works great!
http://www.bizzeker.nl/hypotheken/hypotheek-vergelijken
My only concern about Holland is the health care. Everyone here says it is great. From the outside looking in, I can say it is WAY TOO socialist to be any good. When medical care is decided by cost and percentages, not INDIVIDUAL NEED, it will not work in your best interest. It will only work in the "best interest"of the budget. The Dutch should visit other countries and see what is offered. This system is not "great", it sucks!Ignorance is bliss.
Every single foreigner living in the Netherlands that I know from Argentina, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Brazil, Ukraine and Russia, visit their own doctors in their home countries when they are there. This implies having to pay two insurances in most cases (Dutch home country). In particular, dentists and medical specialists are much more available than in the Netherlands. For women visiting their gynecologist is essential (pap test and mammograms anyone?). Do you call this high level of health care? This "non-intervention" is extremely dangerous. What about any preventive medicine?
I was told how good Dutch health care was in comparison to the US. That is a load of bull. I pay 104 euros for insurance in Groningen (Menzis) vs 90 dollars in the bay area (Kaiser P). Funny thing is, my American insurance covered biannual dental visits and some specialist visits (i.e. chiropractor). Neither of which were included in my basisverzekering. Furthermore, most of the medical doctors here are morons in comparison to those in the States, and they are never keen on taking new patients. The explanation is that competition is looked down upon here. It all boils down to how you calculate the quality of health care. Yes, everyone is covered so that's good. The quality of doctors is very bad. While deciding to relocate here, you will here your HR manager say so many good things about Dutch health care. DON'T BE FOOLED as they only know about American health care as it is presented in the news here. Of course, many may disagree with me, but is it really worth risking finding out for yourself? If you're American, I can almost guarantee that you will be disappointed with the health care here in the Netherlands.
They need to implement the smoking law that allows non smokers fresh air especially around food establishments. Whenever you go to a restaurant in europe your forced to sit outside in the summer since they won't turn on any ventilation inside so if you don't mind spending 80 euros for 4 drinks and two pizzas while the table of people next to you and behind you blow heavy cigarette smoke (disgusting), I feel they didn't create this smoking ban with any care. Smoking needs to be banned around any food establishments inside or outside.
By chance can anyone give me an explanation specifically for why they feel Dutch health care is "bad"? I hope that someone can cite specific examples.
I work in US healthcare with an interest in foreign models and I would like to know from first hand experience what people's perceptions are of why Dutch health care is poor. Statistically, Dutch MDs are educated just as well as American physicians, and it seems the safety network for patients falling through the cracks is much better in NL than in the US.
In addition, people tout about the lack of "state of the art" health care in NL - my question is, is this perception based upon treatment options available to patients as opposed to those in the US or elsewhere (and I mean evidence based treatments [treatments that have been shown to work] or communication between provider and patient?
Well, if you read articles out there, you will only get the story that NL health care is good. You have to come here and try to get a doctor to even see you to find out otherwise. In my opinions, MDs are definitely less knowledgeable about basic biology and disease than the American counterparts. You get what you pay for...
The health policy system is pay as you go.Most European counterparts are very good in attending to their patient.I have lived in spain and the UK,health system varies totally to The dutch system.
You need to pay higher insurance policy before you can get some treatments.
Most people say that the Dutch health care systems is type third world. But interestingly, I come from a developing country and in my country it can be expected that the public system does not work well. But instead as long as you can afford a private insurance you will have a great service. Go directly to the specialist and preventive medicine. i don´t have to wait until I´m very sick. Besides, it was incredible when once I have an appointment the "huisarts" or familly doctor told me doing mimics "you know what a smear is ? Because in the Netherland women are practised this exam every FIVE YEARSS", I was shocked, and I replayed that in my "developing country" we have the exam every six monts or at least every year. Not to mention that my son has visited the doctor every time back in our country, because here they say it´s no necessary, if he´s all right. But HE IS GROWING! I have to pay this very expensive insurance, and everytime I go to my country i have to pay, because of the inefficient system in this developed country!! This coutnry in many aspects still lives on the fame they already have, but you need to live here first to undertand these kind of facts. Not to mention that some insurance companies like MENZIS sent you bills after one yea when they haven´t even notifiy you of nothing!! and if you don´t pay they send you to court. Thus, have to pay a lot of money, that how they make money, even dishonesty can you see!
I have seen a lot of people who don’t agree.
maybe this might help:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded
Can someone give me advice on what to do if (my case) you have a transplant? I have a kidney transplant and would like to know how to proceed with my medical care in Holland were I plan to move soon. I regular active life and for the time being no health problem except that I have to take my imunossupressor therapy everyday (one pill) but at my home country these are free form me: Can someone advice? Thanks
Have pay our health insurance here, but for anything we think may be serious head back to Belgium to the doctors there. This includes my wife's forthcoming pregnancy. Each month she returns to Belgium for an ultrasound and blood tests (toxoplasmosis diabetes etc). As from December she shall take her maternity in Belgium and be delivered there. Why not in Holland? i) She is denied access to a gynaecologist in Holland. ii) she is denied access to routine blood tests during pregnancy iii) we have spoken with several women who have has traumatic childbirths in Holland iv) we have no trust in the Dutch health system.
Yet, we still have to pay the insurance, and there is no alternative to the public/private partnership health system operating within The Netherlands.
Best regards, S
The Dutch medical System almost killed me. complications, complications, complications and their arrogance. The Kantonrechter decided it was an error and the Dutch still refused to acknowledge their mistake. The Dutch just do not know what they are doing. Time and time again, the wrong diagnosis is given. I said NO to one surgeon who was determined to stick as many times as necessary a very long needle through my liver. I went to France for a second opinion and the French were shocked at the Dutch ignorance: "are they living in the stoneage", they said! If you want to live, let alone be cured, do not consult the Dutch Health System. Go elsewhere.
We have to pay the costs all together. If youre not insured you get help anyway. Thats why its important that anybody pays for it.
<a href=”http://www.independerautoverzekering.com”>independerautoverzekering</a>
I want to say that my experience with the dutch health system (and it is extensive !) has not been as bad as what I expected reading comments on the internet. Where the dutch have actually impressed me is with the after-and social care. I have a kid with special needs, and I can tell you that the way it is being handeld here is 10 times better than where I am from (France).
Logotherapy, physiotherapy, sign language and hearing aids, children-psychologist, long-term chirgugical follow-up, direct access to hospital (we don't need any referal), all completely covered and easy to access. We receive help at home from a nurse in excess of 20h a week, all covered.
There are special groups all over the country starting at age 1.5 until school age for kiddies with special needs.
I always say, if you want an operation, get to France, if you are handicaped / have special needs, the netherlands is a much better place.
my husband travels to rotterdam regularly for treatment not available in france, does anyone in hollad travel within holland for treatment and if you have to stay, not in hospital but nearby due to the treatment are your accomodation costs re imbursed. His care in rotterdam far exceeded his care in france.
He had ecoli and a stapph infrction after surgery in france!
Compulsory excess of EUR 170 is EUR220 in 2012 :-(
can anyone suggest a cheap and honest health insurance company in the netherlands? thanx
Firstly, I would like to distinguish between 'real doctors' and huisartsen.
My experience is that huisartsen - even the best - are nothing more than bureaucrats who are slightly medically educated.
For example, they don't seem to recognize invisible illnesses. If the signs are not obvious and visible - blood, vomit etc. - they just offer platitudes and the sort of advice I could get from a stranger in a bar. Their job seems to be to spot an illness, by asking about life-style and just looking, and refer it to an expert, if, in their opinion, it may actually be a real illness.
Don't get me wrong. I have one of the best huisarts - at least when I have an infected finger, she treats it immediately and well. But if I have a psychological illness or an illness that is complicated to diagnose and the obvious symptoms are subjective, she doesn't even believe it is real.
I keep on saying 'whatever happened to medical science', as I am given another piece of homespun advice from my huisarts. If I wanted an opinion, I could save the money. Everyone has an opinion. I want an accurate diagnosis, according to the scientific method. I almost never visit, nowadays, for anything, as I have so little faith in the methodology.
My previous huisarts callously came very close to causing my death from a lung embolism, because she didn't believe my description of the symptoms was important enough! The ambulance service also didn't believe me, because I could still talk!! Finally, when I was unconscious, a friend convinced them (on the fifth attempt) that it was real and I was dying. The ambulance arrived to save me, just ten minutes before I would have been dead (according to the paramedic). N.B. The specialist doctors in the hospital were very good.
My own experiences aside, most of my friends and acquaintances have had this sort of unbelievably bad service, also. I've seen terrible things in the 20 odd years that I have lived in the Netherlands.
They are paid a small fortune to KNOW! That's their job. I accept that once in a while, something is that difficult to diagnose, but it seems to be that way, almost every time. If I hear a doctor say 'well, we don't actually know', one more time, I'm going to apply for voluntary euthanasia ;-)
Medical Equips centre Sdn Bhd.
We are importer
Medical Equips centre Sdn Bhd.
We are importer
Some expats think Dutch health care is 'bad' because the GP doesn't refer them to a specialist immediately when he thinks the ailment isn't serious enough and sends them away without a prescription telling them to take is easy for a few days and come back when whatever ailment the patient suffers from doesn't go away by itself. When that happens they feel the doctor doesn't take them seriously. Back home they always get some form of medication or a referral to a specialist just to ease their worries so they don't trust the judgement of the Dutch GP. Dutch doctors don't believe in killing a mosquito with a machinegun so they don't prescribe antibiotics for a severe cold, heavy painkillers for mere backpain or long term anti-depressants for mere anxiety. If you're into pills (and I'm not talking about high bloodpressure, high cholestorol, diabetes medication) the Netherlands is not the place to be. No celebrity around here will die of a bad mixture or overdose of prescription drugs.
See more info:
http://english.minvws.nl/en/themes/medicines/
http://english.minvws.nl/en/themes/prevention/
http://english.minvws.nl/en/themes/health-insurance-system/
The dutch healthcare system is excellent, and more importantly it's fair. I think the bad experiences cited here are the cause of cultural differences. I like the dutch mentality. For example, if you smoke 40 fags per day and get cancer a dutch huisarts response is usually a very honest one, and that is what I like. The problem with Americans and British is they always look to blame someone else for their own self created problems. "Oh I'm fat and need a gastric band because I only eat crappy fast food, and I'm so pathetic someone else should sort out my sh*t and pay for it too". Boo Hoo. Healthcare needs to move on. So what I mean is that if you smoke 40 fags or eat 4 beefburgers daily and get cancer then tuff luck - you know the risks. I don't believe the state should interfere in individual responsibility.
Ultimately, if you don't like the country (and the healthcare) then why are you still living there??
Interesting read for people who are dissatisfied with their Dutch doctors because they're not getting any medication or referrel to a specialist:
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/28/opinion/overdiagnosis-as-a-flaw-in-health-care.html?hp
When you move to a country for study and work reasons, and especially to a country like The Netherlands, you expect you will find conditions that match with your expectations. I do not smoke and I could say that I have healthy food habits, but answering a previous question someone formulated, I think a considerable amount of people is living in the NL because they have a good job or are studlying, and they are one way or another with their work ( including myself) adding value to the country.
Then among the things you expect is to have a good health care system (we are paying for it, remember it´s not FREE). I don´t smoke and don´t eat greasy food, but I would expect to have preventive medicine at least, such us a normal check up (no gynecologist available, but every five years after 35 years?? it´s this normal? just to mention one) This is the Dutch mentality some people like ? Btw: now they have craeted this new alternative for euthanizing people at home dutch Mentality? I hope this not the best alternative at the end for many people. I would advocate for preventive medicine that in many cases would save lifes in the future.
You can not generalize, and you are right, sooner or later I´ll leave the country. Even though this not the topic but, what would happen if all expacts would leave the country??
Best,
Reading this has scared me. My husband is on the verge of accepting a job in the Hague, I have Ulcerative Colitis which is a chronic condition so I need constant medical supervison. In the UK I attend a specialist clinic at my local hospital and they provide me with the necessary medication and see me when I have a flare up. Does anybody know how Ulcerative Colitis patients are treated in NL?
hi natalie, if you have a chronic health condition....then you should think LONG
something happened to my comment above and it didnt completely show up. basically, if you have an existing medical condition then you should take precautions in your current country before moving here in case the Dutch do not offer the same medical care for you. i could write pages about all HORRIBLE experiences i have had, my other expat friends have had here in the Netherlands. to sum it up, the system is able to remain "affordable" because the Dutch do not offer the same care, service and attention simply because it costs the insurance companies too much money. so the Dutch huisarts are very dismissive and in general the specialists are not equipped with the technology other countries have. (by the way, i've lived in the USA, Thailand and the UK) good luck!
After experiencing the dutch system for 16 years myself, and having had three operations there, I would say this: at the top level - the uni hospitals, where the experts are etc, great knowledgeable care. At the ground level, the GPs - VERY patronising, long long waiting times, very scary. It took me three days to try and convince someone I was in a lot of pain when my ectopic pregnancy had in fact ruptured, and it haunts me still. Once I was diagnosed and recognised, great care. Also our son received great care for learning difficulties - wonderful! Once it is diagnosed. It is just getting there as most the comments are correct, they are very dismissive. And when you think about it, most GP visits have complaints that would probably go away after some time, but it does assume that we are all uneducated. Personally I don't attend a GP unless I have tried and know that I can't handle something on my own any more, and normally we have educated ourselves first, right?. We are still having to go to other countries to get past that initial barrier. However, if you have an already defined condition, I expect they would be quite good.
I have had a terrible time with many Dutch doctors. I have had the misfortune on joining Practices to be given a Dutch woman 'doctor'. My first one refused to examine me for 7 months despite I ending-up in Emergency several times having almost bled to death. Finally, a Doctor at the hospital sent her a Note asking to take action. He told me that what it said would be, "like a boot up the arse for her!". Next visit she did examine me and the tears started flowing down her face. She said her phone was ringing and that her assistant needed her - I told her that her phone was not ringing - and she then ran out of the room. I never saw her again.
My next Doctor was again a woman doctor who refused to do anything to help me and I luckily found an excellent Chinese Doctor who gave me the same diagnosis as the hospital but he didn't have any of the equipment the hospital had to use (x-ray, ultrasound, MRI, ECG, blood tests, etc. to provide the diagnosis. He made me much better but health insurance refused to pay.
My next Doctor was a man and he was actually a real Doctor. First thing he did, as any good Doctor will do, was a full physical examination. He, like the Chinese Doctor was able to give an accurate diagnosis. He was helpful but my health insurance was not.
I had to move yet again and my new doctor was another woman. This wast the worst doctor I have ever met any where. She refused to do a physical exam, refused to read my Notes, or read the results of tests,x-rays, MRIs, ECG, etc. She kept telling me it was all inn my mind . She also objected on personal moral grounds with the pain and illness relief I was prescribed by all previous Doctors which was natural cannabis or the Ministry version Bedrocan (www.bedrocan.nl). She said that anyone who thinks cannabis is a medicine must be seriously mentally ill and tried her best to have me locked-up in a mental hospital. I tried to change from her but was refused by every other Doctor in the area due to being her patient (she has political links). I ended-up in hospital in a very bad way - again bleeding internally - and Doctors phoned her asking her to help me as i needed an operation. She refused and sent me a letter saying she didn't wish to be my Doctor any more - Hurray!!!
It took 4 months to find another doctor after that!!!
Next Doctor was a young woman Doctor who was really concerned for me and tried to help but told me after a week taht she could not be my Doctor as she had a phone call from my previous doctor and was threatened by her - it came down to the prescribing of Bedrican. She said as a woman who wanted to have a family she could not prescribe as she would find it difficult to continue practising in the area.
It took me another week to find another Doctor and this time I got a man who did a physical exam on first appointment and prescribed Bedrocan for pain and illness relief. He continued to be an excellent Doctor while i was in his care. He did ask me one day how it was that I was still alive and managing to get better without surgery and I had to explain in detail to him, he wrote it all down, how I spent thousands of hours reading medical books and on-line find the answers I needed to make my own medications. I could only find two Pharmacies in Holland that could sell me the ingredients I needed 'over-the-counter'.
Moved yet again, and my next Doctor was a man. He refused to do a physical exam and told me that my Notes said there was nothing wrong with me. So I copied all the copies of my Notes I had and handed them to him on nest meeting. His face dropped! Unfortunately al the other Clinics were full so I could not change. Next time i met him he was a much better doctor and helpful. At the same Clinic I have been sent to a woman Doctor who turned out to know very little about modern medicine and basically was totally uncaring anyway. A typical Dutch part-time woman doctor.
Hello please can anyone suggest a cheap health insurance company in Amsterdam...... I just need the basic price....
Hi there,
I have had insurance for cz for almost 2 years and now I will be leaving holland to work in majorca for a dutch company and I don't need dutch insurance as i got my european health card. But cz are saying that if I am getting paid by a ducth company I have to keep it which makes no sense to me as I won't even have a registered address here. Can anyone help me with this? Do I really still have to have my dutch insurance even though I'm not coming back to the Netherlands?
Hello,I am Tradomedical Doctor in Benin Rep the only one who heals and
solves all failed problems. Stop suffering today! Change your life and
archive your goals. No matter whom you are or religion you believe in,
this type of treatment may be the only solutions to your problems with
your long illness. Try this; you will see a better change! If you have
tried many doctors/healers with no progress. if you think you have
lost hope, here is an opportunity,our record speak for us, come over
to biodynamic trado medical healing home. Email: shakasula@gmail.com
It is a mistake to think that the concerns of the expat community regarding Dutch healthcare reflect only cultural differences between the expat patient
My message failed to transmit. Trying again --
It is a mistake to think that the concerns of the expat community regarding Dutch healthcare reflect only cultural differences between the expat patient
Insurance question -- Anderzorg can be ordered online via Independer.nl. Choose the highest self-pay (eigen risico) amount if you want the cheapest monthly rate -- approx 70 Euros p month
It is a mistake to think that the concerns of the expat community regarding Dutch healthcare reflect only cultural differences between the expat patient
Hi,
I would be glad if somebody could send me a link where I could find information about legal form of Dutch hospitals, especially large ones where doctors are educated.
Thanks Vaclav
I've recently moved to Amsterdam, and in trying to get health insurance through my employer I've learned that in order to get health insurance I must have a residence permit (according to my HR department this is Dutch Law). As I'm still being processed through the IND it could take a few months before I get a residence permit. It also seems that in order to get a residence permit I must first have health insurance. I noticed this is not mentioned in the article here. Has anyone else had this experience?
The article claims that your are free to choose your health insurance. In practice however you are limited to Dutch insurance companies as these are the only ones recognised as offering the legally required cover. Expats often prefer worldwide or regional health cover so that they can get treatment paid for wherever they happen to be - the current Dutch system forces you to take out local insurance as well as or instead of any worldwide cover. In effect the new system creates a nice monopoly for local insurers and you could argue that it represents a barrier to the free movement of labour.
This is so irresponsible. The HEALTH CARE is not the same as the HEALTH CARE system. The Dutch health care, in terms of quality, is years behind state-of-the-art. Its so-called "non-interventionist" policy contributes to the fact that it has a frighteningly high cancer fatality rate (mammograms, anyone?), one of the worst infant mortality rates in the developed world, and does not even offer certain medications and cancer treatments because they are too expensive. It would be one thing if Holland had a two-tier system, in which those who could afford certain treatments and wanted them could have access, but that's not the case. Rather, it's like a schoolroom, where if every child can't have candy, no one can have candy. It's third-world. Let's not propagandize here, folks. Dutch health care is not "high." It's just cheap. No surprise there.
Let's say that as long as you are healthy, no need to worry..... and if you do get sick, then the chance you need to get help somewhere else (own country?!?) is very high.
I would like to reply to Andrew (posted 11/02/2009).
There are a couple of specialised Insurance Brokers, such as ISEP BV, able to arrange Medical Health Insurance worldwide.
The point is indeed that it takes month to get a residence permit and before getting this document it is almost impossible to find an insurer willing to grant you Basic Health Insurance cover before that.
ISEP works closely together with insurers able to arrange immediate cover. Once you obtained the Residence Permit and other useful documents, like the GBA-form and a pay-slip proving that you pay Dutch Social security etc., these companies can transfer you to the standard Dutch Basic Health Cover.
Once you are moving abroad you can then change your policy again into an International Medical Insurance with worldwide cover.
For further information, please visit their website: www.isep.nl
Kind Regards,
Jack Fanoy
Which health care??? This website is so biased!!
Dutch Healthcare is very good but a requirement is that you have to stay healthy, otherwise it means take a number and hope you don't die before a doctor sees you. That is why there is such a shortage in healtcare personel in Holland.
We immigrated from Holland to America in 1958 because of the free choice and great care. But it is a fact that Health Insurance here in America is very expensive and lately hardly affordable especially for the senior citizen on only Social Security income. Now Obama wants to get us to Socialized care. We might as wel move back to Holland....take a number and hope we don't die waiting for a doctor to see us. Mr. Reagan if I could bring you back to life I would. From all the Presidents you had the most common sense. I am sure you would have an answer to this fat mess we are in.
Is it fools day? Else I can't understand this article. Dutch health system is better than many countries, mostly third world countries... However, when it comes to European standards many expats end up returning to their original countries for health care. Why? Not because of language barriers, but due to the lack of care that people receive. The "non-interventionist" approach relies on probability, and I prefer to be 100% sure I don't have cancer, and 99% sure I don't have cancer... 1% is far too much to risk someone's life.
...NOT! After having lived in The Netherlands for several years, my experiencies and those of dozens of expats I know, are extremelly disappointed. Dutch healthcare is bad. Period. It has the worst of private (high prices) with the worse of publc (over-crowding, waiting lists, etc). I had surgery there and the medical level was underpar (definitely worse than my home Spain). So far I've found the British NHS system to be one of the best in the world. Not the Dutch.
Dutch healthcare is sh@#$...its the worst in Europe - not the best. Non-interventionist??? means that a Dutch doctor sits on one side of the desk and asks you what is wrong. Never touches you and certainly would not prescribe antibiotics, unless of course you are actually dead, in which case he would recommend euthanasia to you.
Dont kid yourselves - if you have lived anywhere else in Western Europe, you would never ever recommend the Dutch system to anyone. Maybe its better than the Turkish system? I dont know. Be very interesting to know the criteria on which this inane statement is based.
Child mortality is high (amongst the highest in Europe - 25% higher than in Spain, 100% higher than in Finland), family doctors (huisarts) do not turn you away for being full: they're just lazy like most Ducth and are not bothered to "work more". On a country that th average individual tax burden is well above 40%, having to pay, on top of that, for health insurance is ridiculous. And that does not even cover for a decent preganancy follow up and child delivery in a modern hospital room. The Ducth health care system is third world class. Period. Talk to any non-dutch and 99% are going to tell you the same. Go to other countries and there is only a fraction of expats unhappy with the local health care. That speaks by itself.
The USA health care system is bad, but having experienced both, the Dutch is FAR worse.
I'm from Holland and our health care system works great!
http://www.bizzeker.nl/hypotheken/hypotheek-vergelijken
My only concern about Holland is the health care. Everyone here says it is great. From the outside looking in, I can say it is WAY TOO socialist to be any good. When medical care is decided by cost and percentages, not INDIVIDUAL NEED, it will not work in your best interest. It will only work in the "best interest"of the budget. The Dutch should visit other countries and see what is offered. This system is not "great", it sucks!Ignorance is bliss.
Every single foreigner living in the Netherlands that I know from Argentina, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Brazil, Ukraine and Russia, visit their own doctors in their home countries when they are there. This implies having to pay two insurances in most cases (Dutch home country). In particular, dentists and medical specialists are much more available than in the Netherlands. For women visiting their gynecologist is essential (pap test and mammograms anyone?). Do you call this high level of health care? This "non-intervention" is extremely dangerous. What about any preventive medicine?
I was told how good Dutch health care was in comparison to the US. That is a load of bull. I pay 104 euros for insurance in Groningen (Menzis) vs 90 dollars in the bay area (Kaiser P). Funny thing is, my American insurance covered biannual dental visits and some specialist visits (i.e. chiropractor). Neither of which were included in my basisverzekering. Furthermore, most of the medical doctors here are morons in comparison to those in the States, and they are never keen on taking new patients. The explanation is that competition is looked down upon here. It all boils down to how you calculate the quality of health care. Yes, everyone is covered so that's good. The quality of doctors is very bad. While deciding to relocate here, you will here your HR manager say so many good things about Dutch health care. DON'T BE FOOLED as they only know about American health care as it is presented in the news here. Of course, many may disagree with me, but is it really worth risking finding out for yourself? If you're American, I can almost guarantee that you will be disappointed with the health care here in the Netherlands.
They need to implement the smoking law that allows non smokers fresh air especially around food establishments. Whenever you go to a restaurant in europe your forced to sit outside in the summer since they won't turn on any ventilation inside so if you don't mind spending 80 euros for 4 drinks and two pizzas while the table of people next to you and behind you blow heavy cigarette smoke (disgusting), I feel they didn't create this smoking ban with any care. Smoking needs to be banned around any food establishments inside or outside.
By chance can anyone give me an explanation specifically for why they feel Dutch health care is "bad"? I hope that someone can cite specific examples.
I work in US healthcare with an interest in foreign models and I would like to know from first hand experience what people's perceptions are of why Dutch health care is poor. Statistically, Dutch MDs are educated just as well as American physicians, and it seems the safety network for patients falling through the cracks is much better in NL than in the US.
In addition, people tout about the lack of "state of the art" health care in NL - my question is, is this perception based upon treatment options available to patients as opposed to those in the US or elsewhere (and I mean evidence based treatments [treatments that have been shown to work] or communication between provider and patient?
Well, if you read articles out there, you will only get the story that NL health care is good. You have to come here and try to get a doctor to even see you to find out otherwise. In my opinions, MDs are definitely less knowledgeable about basic biology and disease than the American counterparts. You get what you pay for...
The health policy system is pay as you go.Most European counterparts are very good in attending to their patient.I have lived in spain and the UK,health system varies totally to The dutch system.
You need to pay higher insurance policy before you can get some treatments.
Most people say that the Dutch health care systems is type third world. But interestingly, I come from a developing country and in my country it can be expected that the public system does not work well. But instead as long as you can afford a private insurance you will have a great service. Go directly to the specialist and preventive medicine. i don´t have to wait until I´m very sick. Besides, it was incredible when once I have an appointment the "huisarts" or familly doctor told me doing mimics "you know what a smear is ? Because in the Netherland women are practised this exam every FIVE YEARSS", I was shocked, and I replayed that in my "developing country" we have the exam every six monts or at least every year. Not to mention that my son has visited the doctor every time back in our country, because here they say it´s no necessary, if he´s all right. But HE IS GROWING! I have to pay this very expensive insurance, and everytime I go to my country i have to pay, because of the inefficient system in this developed country!! This coutnry in many aspects still lives on the fame they already have, but you need to live here first to undertand these kind of facts. Not to mention that some insurance companies like MENZIS sent you bills after one yea when they haven´t even notifiy you of nothing!! and if you don´t pay they send you to court. Thus, have to pay a lot of money, that how they make money, even dishonesty can you see!
I have seen a lot of people who don’t agree.
maybe this might help:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded
Can someone give me advice on what to do if (my case) you have a transplant? I have a kidney transplant and would like to know how to proceed with my medical care in Holland were I plan to move soon. I regular active life and for the time being no health problem except that I have to take my imunossupressor therapy everyday (one pill) but at my home country these are free form me: Can someone advice? Thanks
Have pay our health insurance here, but for anything we think may be serious head back to Belgium to the doctors there. This includes my wife's forthcoming pregnancy. Each month she returns to Belgium for an ultrasound and blood tests (toxoplasmosis diabetes etc). As from December she shall take her maternity in Belgium and be delivered there. Why not in Holland? i) She is denied access to a gynaecologist in Holland. ii) she is denied access to routine blood tests during pregnancy iii) we have spoken with several women who have has traumatic childbirths in Holland iv) we have no trust in the Dutch health system.
Yet, we still have to pay the insurance, and there is no alternative to the public/private partnership health system operating within The Netherlands.
Best regards, S
The Dutch medical System almost killed me. complications, complications, complications and their arrogance. The Kantonrechter decided it was an error and the Dutch still refused to acknowledge their mistake. The Dutch just do not know what they are doing. Time and time again, the wrong diagnosis is given. I said NO to one surgeon who was determined to stick as many times as necessary a very long needle through my liver. I went to France for a second opinion and the French were shocked at the Dutch ignorance: "are they living in the stoneage", they said! If you want to live, let alone be cured, do not consult the Dutch Health System. Go elsewhere.
We have to pay the costs all together. If youre not insured you get help anyway. Thats why its important that anybody pays for it.
<a href=”http://www.independerautoverzekering.com”>independerautoverzekering</a>
I want to say that my experience with the dutch health system (and it is extensive !) has not been as bad as what I expected reading comments on the internet. Where the dutch have actually impressed me is with the after-and social care. I have a kid with special needs, and I can tell you that the way it is being handeld here is 10 times better than where I am from (France).
Logotherapy, physiotherapy, sign language and hearing aids, children-psychologist, long-term chirgugical follow-up, direct access to hospital (we don't need any referal), all completely covered and easy to access. We receive help at home from a nurse in excess of 20h a week, all covered.
There are special groups all over the country starting at age 1.5 until school age for kiddies with special needs.
I always say, if you want an operation, get to France, if you are handicaped / have special needs, the netherlands is a much better place.
my husband travels to rotterdam regularly for treatment not available in france, does anyone in hollad travel within holland for treatment and if you have to stay, not in hospital but nearby due to the treatment are your accomodation costs re imbursed. His care in rotterdam far exceeded his care in france.
He had ecoli and a stapph infrction after surgery in france!
Compulsory excess of EUR 170 is EUR220 in 2012 :-(
can anyone suggest a cheap and honest health insurance company in the netherlands? thanx
Firstly, I would like to distinguish between 'real doctors' and huisartsen.
My experience is that huisartsen - even the best - are nothing more than bureaucrats who are slightly medically educated.
For example, they don't seem to recognize invisible illnesses. If the signs are not obvious and visible - blood, vomit etc. - they just offer platitudes and the sort of advice I could get from a stranger in a bar. Their job seems to be to spot an illness, by asking about life-style and just looking, and refer it to an expert, if, in their opinion, it may actually be a real illness.
Don't get me wrong. I have one of the best huisarts - at least when I have an infected finger, she treats it immediately and well. But if I have a psychological illness or an illness that is complicated to diagnose and the obvious symptoms are subjective, she doesn't even believe it is real.
I keep on saying 'whatever happened to medical science', as I am given another piece of homespun advice from my huisarts. If I wanted an opinion, I could save the money. Everyone has an opinion. I want an accurate diagnosis, according to the scientific method. I almost never visit, nowadays, for anything, as I have so little faith in the methodology.
My previous huisarts callously came very close to causing my death from a lung embolism, because she didn't believe my description of the symptoms was important enough! The ambulance service also didn't believe me, because I could still talk!! Finally, when I was unconscious, a friend convinced them (on the fifth attempt) that it was real and I was dying. The ambulance arrived to save me, just ten minutes before I would have been dead (according to the paramedic). N.B. The specialist doctors in the hospital were very good.
My own experiences aside, most of my friends and acquaintances have had this sort of unbelievably bad service, also. I've seen terrible things in the 20 odd years that I have lived in the Netherlands.
They are paid a small fortune to KNOW! That's their job. I accept that once in a while, something is that difficult to diagnose, but it seems to be that way, almost every time. If I hear a doctor say 'well, we don't actually know', one more time, I'm going to apply for voluntary euthanasia ;-)
Medical Equips centre Sdn Bhd.
We are importer
Medical Equips centre Sdn Bhd.
We are importer
Some expats think Dutch health care is 'bad' because the GP doesn't refer them to a specialist immediately when he thinks the ailment isn't serious enough and sends them away without a prescription telling them to take is easy for a few days and come back when whatever ailment the patient suffers from doesn't go away by itself. When that happens they feel the doctor doesn't take them seriously. Back home they always get some form of medication or a referral to a specialist just to ease their worries so they don't trust the judgement of the Dutch GP. Dutch doctors don't believe in killing a mosquito with a machinegun so they don't prescribe antibiotics for a severe cold, heavy painkillers for mere backpain or long term anti-depressants for mere anxiety. If you're into pills (and I'm not talking about high bloodpressure, high cholestorol, diabetes medication) the Netherlands is not the place to be. No celebrity around here will die of a bad mixture or overdose of prescription drugs.
See more info:
http://english.minvws.nl/en/themes/medicines/
http://english.minvws.nl/en/themes/prevention/
http://english.minvws.nl/en/themes/health-insurance-system/
The dutch healthcare system is excellent, and more importantly it's fair. I think the bad experiences cited here are the cause of cultural differences. I like the dutch mentality. For example, if you smoke 40 fags per day and get cancer a dutch huisarts response is usually a very honest one, and that is what I like. The problem with Americans and British is they always look to blame someone else for their own self created problems. "Oh I'm fat and need a gastric band because I only eat crappy fast food, and I'm so pathetic someone else should sort out my sh*t and pay for it too". Boo Hoo. Healthcare needs to move on. So what I mean is that if you smoke 40 fags or eat 4 beefburgers daily and get cancer then tuff luck - you know the risks. I don't believe the state should interfere in individual responsibility.
Ultimately, if you don't like the country (and the healthcare) then why are you still living there??
Interesting read for people who are dissatisfied with their Dutch doctors because they're not getting any medication or referrel to a specialist:
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/28/opinion/overdiagnosis-as-a-flaw-in-health-care.html?hp
When you move to a country for study and work reasons, and especially to a country like The Netherlands, you expect you will find conditions that match with your expectations. I do not smoke and I could say that I have healthy food habits, but answering a previous question someone formulated, I think a considerable amount of people is living in the NL because they have a good job or are studlying, and they are one way or another with their work ( including myself) adding value to the country.
Then among the things you expect is to have a good health care system (we are paying for it, remember it´s not FREE). I don´t smoke and don´t eat greasy food, but I would expect to have preventive medicine at least, such us a normal check up (no gynecologist available, but every five years after 35 years?? it´s this normal? just to mention one) This is the Dutch mentality some people like ? Btw: now they have craeted this new alternative for euthanizing people at home dutch Mentality? I hope this not the best alternative at the end for many people. I would advocate for preventive medicine that in many cases would save lifes in the future.
You can not generalize, and you are right, sooner or later I´ll leave the country. Even though this not the topic but, what would happen if all expacts would leave the country??
Best,
Reading this has scared me. My husband is on the verge of accepting a job in the Hague, I have Ulcerative Colitis which is a chronic condition so I need constant medical supervison. In the UK I attend a specialist clinic at my local hospital and they provide me with the necessary medication and see me when I have a flare up. Does anybody know how Ulcerative Colitis patients are treated in NL?
hi natalie, if you have a chronic health condition....then you should think LONG
something happened to my comment above and it didnt completely show up. basically, if you have an existing medical condition then you should take precautions in your current country before moving here in case the Dutch do not offer the same medical care for you. i could write pages about all HORRIBLE experiences i have had, my other expat friends have had here in the Netherlands. to sum it up, the system is able to remain "affordable" because the Dutch do not offer the same care, service and attention simply because it costs the insurance companies too much money. so the Dutch huisarts are very dismissive and in general the specialists are not equipped with the technology other countries have. (by the way, i've lived in the USA, Thailand and the UK) good luck!
After experiencing the dutch system for 16 years myself, and having had three operations there, I would say this: at the top level - the uni hospitals, where the experts are etc, great knowledgeable care. At the ground level, the GPs - VERY patronising, long long waiting times, very scary. It took me three days to try and convince someone I was in a lot of pain when my ectopic pregnancy had in fact ruptured, and it haunts me still. Once I was diagnosed and recognised, great care. Also our son received great care for learning difficulties - wonderful! Once it is diagnosed. It is just getting there as most the comments are correct, they are very dismissive. And when you think about it, most GP visits have complaints that would probably go away after some time, but it does assume that we are all uneducated. Personally I don't attend a GP unless I have tried and know that I can't handle something on my own any more, and normally we have educated ourselves first, right?. We are still having to go to other countries to get past that initial barrier. However, if you have an already defined condition, I expect they would be quite good.
I have had a terrible time with many Dutch doctors. I have had the misfortune on joining Practices to be given a Dutch woman 'doctor'. My first one refused to examine me for 7 months despite I ending-up in Emergency several times having almost bled to death. Finally, a Doctor at the hospital sent her a Note asking to take action. He told me that what it said would be, "like a boot up the arse for her!". Next visit she did examine me and the tears started flowing down her face. She said her phone was ringing and that her assistant needed her - I told her that her phone was not ringing - and she then ran out of the room. I never saw her again.
My next Doctor was again a woman doctor who refused to do anything to help me and I luckily found an excellent Chinese Doctor who gave me the same diagnosis as the hospital but he didn't have any of the equipment the hospital had to use (x-ray, ultrasound, MRI, ECG, blood tests, etc. to provide the diagnosis. He made me much better but health insurance refused to pay.
My next Doctor was a man and he was actually a real Doctor. First thing he did, as any good Doctor will do, was a full physical examination. He, like the Chinese Doctor was able to give an accurate diagnosis. He was helpful but my health insurance was not.
I had to move yet again and my new doctor was another woman. This wast the worst doctor I have ever met any where. She refused to do a physical exam, refused to read my Notes, or read the results of tests,x-rays, MRIs, ECG, etc. She kept telling me it was all inn my mind . She also objected on personal moral grounds with the pain and illness relief I was prescribed by all previous Doctors which was natural cannabis or the Ministry version Bedrocan (www.bedrocan.nl). She said that anyone who thinks cannabis is a medicine must be seriously mentally ill and tried her best to have me locked-up in a mental hospital. I tried to change from her but was refused by every other Doctor in the area due to being her patient (she has political links). I ended-up in hospital in a very bad way - again bleeding internally - and Doctors phoned her asking her to help me as i needed an operation. She refused and sent me a letter saying she didn't wish to be my Doctor any more - Hurray!!!
It took 4 months to find another doctor after that!!!
Next Doctor was a young woman Doctor who was really concerned for me and tried to help but told me after a week taht she could not be my Doctor as she had a phone call from my previous doctor and was threatened by her - it came down to the prescribing of Bedrican. She said as a woman who wanted to have a family she could not prescribe as she would find it difficult to continue practising in the area.
It took me another week to find another Doctor and this time I got a man who did a physical exam on first appointment and prescribed Bedrocan for pain and illness relief. He continued to be an excellent Doctor while i was in his care. He did ask me one day how it was that I was still alive and managing to get better without surgery and I had to explain in detail to him, he wrote it all down, how I spent thousands of hours reading medical books and on-line find the answers I needed to make my own medications. I could only find two Pharmacies in Holland that could sell me the ingredients I needed 'over-the-counter'.
Moved yet again, and my next Doctor was a man. He refused to do a physical exam and told me that my Notes said there was nothing wrong with me. So I copied all the copies of my Notes I had and handed them to him on nest meeting. His face dropped! Unfortunately al the other Clinics were full so I could not change. Next time i met him he was a much better doctor and helpful. At the same Clinic I have been sent to a woman Doctor who turned out to know very little about modern medicine and basically was totally uncaring anyway. A typical Dutch part-time woman doctor.
Hello please can anyone suggest a cheap health insurance company in Amsterdam...... I just need the basic price....
Hi there,
I have had insurance for cz for almost 2 years and now I will be leaving holland to work in majorca for a dutch company and I don't need dutch insurance as i got my european health card. But cz are saying that if I am getting paid by a ducth company I have to keep it which makes no sense to me as I won't even have a registered address here. Can anyone help me with this? Do I really still have to have my dutch insurance even though I'm not coming back to the Netherlands?
Hello,I am Tradomedical Doctor in Benin Rep the only one who heals and
solves all failed problems. Stop suffering today! Change your life and
archive your goals. No matter whom you are or religion you believe in,
this type of treatment may be the only solutions to your problems with
your long illness. Try this; you will see a better change! If you have
tried many doctors/healers with no progress. if you think you have
lost hope, here is an opportunity,our record speak for us, come over
to biodynamic trado medical healing home. Email: shakasula@gmail.com
It is a mistake to think that the concerns of the expat community regarding Dutch healthcare reflect only cultural differences between the expat patient
My message failed to transmit. Trying again --
It is a mistake to think that the concerns of the expat community regarding Dutch healthcare reflect only cultural differences between the expat patient
Insurance question -- Anderzorg can be ordered online via Independer.nl. Choose the highest self-pay (eigen risico) amount if you want the cheapest monthly rate -- approx 70 Euros p month
It is a mistake to think that the concerns of the expat community regarding Dutch healthcare reflect only cultural differences between the expat patient
Expatica's Getting Started section will provide practical information on how you can open a bank account, exchange your driving licence, improve your Spanish, and more.
Here's a guide to an extensive list of groups and clubs in Madrid for expats, from sports groups to social and family gatherings.
A brief introduction to our Tax section for Spain, from help with inheritance tax to accounting advice.
Here's a short introduction to our Banking section for those living in Spain, from what to ask the experts to opening a Spanish bank account.
Twitter
LinkedIn
Facebook
Google+
49
