Premium increase for health insurers less than the government thought

NOS | Jeroen van Eijndhoven

NOS Nieuws•vandaag, 11:58

Premiums for basic health insurance are increasing less than expected. The cabinet took into account an increase of 12 euros per month on Budget Day, but it turned out not to be too bad. At the big four insurers, premiums will increase between 5 and 8.50 euros.

Basic insurance from the four largest insurers

Healthcare premium 2024 Increase compared to 2023 Zilveren Kruis 147.45 euros 8.50 euros VGZ 146.95 euros 5.00 euros Menzis 146.75 euros 5.50 euros CZ 145.85 euros 7.60 euros

Health economist “So in other words, the insurers have made more margin than they expected and that means that premiums will have to rise less this year.”

Despite this windfall, premiums will increase. The main cause is the increase in labor costs. Healthcare workers received an additional 5 percent in October and another 5 percent extra twice next year. Labor costs make up the largest part of healthcare costs, says Koolman.

Free choice of doctor

What is also striking is that several insurers no longer offer a refund policy. This is an insurance where you are free to choose your own hospital or healthcare provider. Even if the insurer does not have a contract with them, the treatments are fully reimbursed.

Chairman of the board of DSW and Stad Holland says in the Volkskrant that the high reimbursements in mental health care (GGZ) in particular lead to “enormous” cost increases. “We must always reimburse refund policyholders the maximum rate.”

The free choice of doctors is particularly sensitive in mental health care. Patients build a relationship of trust with their psychiatrist. If this is no longer fully or partially reimbursed because the psychiatrist does not have a contract with the insurer, patients are faced with the choice of whether they should switch. Less wealthy patients in particular may feel forced to do so.

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