Tue, 29 May 2012
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The healthcare system in the Netherlands is likely to be widely different from the system in your homeland. Here's our guide to Expatica's healthcare section.Take time to find out how expat medical care works to make sure that your health coverage is to your preferred standard. That's especially important if you plan to have a baby abroad. Look for Expatica’s practical guide to the healthcare system in the Netherlands and check out Expatica’s listing of local hospitals.
Choosing a doctor
Choosing a doctor abroad for yourself and your family is your first order of business. Use word of mouth or the internet to find a suitable doctor near you, one who can communicate with you adequately until you have a good grasp of the local language. Make sure to know whom to call outside of surgery hours. Don’t forget to ask for names of doctors provided by private health insurance for foreigners and remember to contact a local dentist and have regular checkups. Prevention is the best cure. Expatica’s A-Z listings can help you to find expatriate healthcare in your area.
Having a baby in the Netherlands
For women, having a baby abroad can bring up deep feelings of insecurity. How different is the approach to childbirth in the Netherlands to that in your homeland? Read about giving birth in the Netherlands or visit the Expatica forums and find out what other expat women feel about giving birth away from home.
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. Read Being working parents in the Netherlands for full details.
Dental care
From 1 January 2012, dentists will be able to regulate their prices rather than comply with set costs for checkups and procedures. As dentists are obliged to list their prices per procedure and insurance companies, what they cover and up to how much, you should be able to search out the best return on care investment. However, this system could encourage price-fixing and manipulation as all systems do, so chat with dentists to find out their philosphy in relation to pricing of procedures and interventions. More inExpatica article healthcare system in the Netherlands and Dental care in the Netherlands.
Overseas health insurance
Are you on a company package or do you need to take out private health insurance for foreigners? Make sure that you have checked out the expatriate health system in your new country of residence and that you have covered all of the areas which are important to you. International students in the Netherlands shoud read Dutch health insurance for students.
Ask the expert
Use Expatica’s Ask the expert section to ask for general advice about the Dutch health system.
As this article is 'Healthcare in the Netherlands' and mainly aimed at working expats, I feel it's pretty incomplete without the guidance that, if you are working and living in the Netherlands, it is a LEGAL requirement (a condition of residence) that you take out a basic Dutch health insurance package within 3 months (?) of registering with the gemeente. Foreign policies don't cut it here (students being the exception).
The government dictates exactly what's covered in the basic package, regardless of pre-existing condition, to ensure nobody - rich or poor, able or disabled - is ever refused essential treatment because they can't afford it. Low earners can apply to the Tax Office for money each month in order to help pay for this basic insurance (Belastingdienst.nl>Toeslagen).
Ministry of Health information in several languages:
http://english.minvws.nl/en/folders/z/2008/compulsory-health-insurance-if-you-work-in-the-netherlands.asp
I have had 7 years health insurance without any break and paid regularly. However, I received a fine from government last year that I did not have valid health insurance. Every expat must be careful. Insurance companies like mine, ONVZ, give a different status to expats in health insurance such as international insurance by default and this is not considered as the valid insurance by government. I am still in the process of objection, it takes 6 months for the govenrment to decide if I am right and I already had to pay 342 euro fine. So, apart from my health insurance expenses with top coverage!, I am paying fine This is bizarre and I recommend everyone to be careful with their insurance applications and status.
As this article is 'Healthcare in the Netherlands' and mainly aimed at working expats, I feel it's pretty incomplete without the guidance that, if you are working and living in the Netherlands, it is a LEGAL requirement (a condition of residence) that you take out a basic Dutch health insurance package within 3 months (?) of registering with the gemeente. Foreign policies don't cut it here (students being the exception).
The government dictates exactly what's covered in the basic package, regardless of pre-existing condition, to ensure nobody - rich or poor, able or disabled - is ever refused essential treatment because they can't afford it. Low earners can apply to the Tax Office for money each month in order to help pay for this basic insurance (Belastingdienst.nl>Toeslagen).
Ministry of Health information in several languages:
http://english.minvws.nl/en/folders/z/2008/compulsory-health-insurance-if-you-work-in-the-netherlands.asp
I have had 7 years health insurance without any break and paid regularly. However, I received a fine from government last year that I did not have valid health insurance. Every expat must be careful. Insurance companies like mine, ONVZ, give a different status to expats in health insurance such as international insurance by default and this is not considered as the valid insurance by government. I am still in the process of objection, it takes 6 months for the govenrment to decide if I am right and I already had to pay 342 euro fine. So, apart from my health insurance expenses with top coverage!, I am paying fine This is bizarre and I recommend everyone to be careful with their insurance applications and status.
A guide to telephone, internet and television along with utility services water, electricity and gas in the Netherlands.
Lost in the Dutch immigration system? Look no further than this guide compiled for our Survival Guide 2012.
Expatica offers a whistle-stop tour of life in the modern Netherlands.
The challenges and benefits of the maternity system in the Netherlands and how it differs to other countries.
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