The competition authority NMa has decided to launch a formal probe into the takeover of De Friesland health insurance company by Achmea.

The deal had been due to take effect on January 1 and will now be delayed by several months.
‘The NMa needs more time for a deeper investigation. Achmea and De Friesland expect a positive outcome,’ Achmea said in a statement.
Five million
The longer period has ‘no effect on both parties’ intention to merge’, the statement said.
The takeover was announced in September. De Friesland has some 500,000 clients and the combined group will have over five million – out of a population of just under 17 million.
Some 95% of the market is in the hands of four big combines: CZ, Menzis, Achmea and VGZ/Univé.
Patients organisations are critical of the takeover and say patient choice is being increasingly restricted.

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