Almost one in five people in the Netherlands has delayed having medical treatment this year because of the cost, according to research by TNS Nipo for health insurance company VGZ.

Of them, half did not seek treatment because of the compulsory own-risk payment, which is €375 this year, the poll of 793 people found.

In addition, four out of 10 people who delayed having treatment did not go to their doctor or specialist about their symptoms at all. In most cases they avoided visiting their family doctor, even though these are exempt from the own-risk payment.

Around 12% of respondents opted for a higher own-risk than the €375 which applies to everyone and 7% opted for the maximum €875. People can cut their premiums by increasing the own-risk element.

VGZ said the survey shows the government is wrong to continue to increase the own-risk payment, which will rise to €385 next year.

‘People are delaying seeking treatment because of the payments, which can make their complaints worse and eventually lead to higher costs,’ VGZ chief executive Rom Kliphuis said