An experiment to allow a hospital to agree tariffs with health insurers has lead to faster price increases and has not benefited patients, according to health service watchdog NZa.

Instead of investing the extra income in improving services, the Sint Maarten’s clinic in Nijmegen has used the extra funds to boost its assets, the NZa said. Plans to give hospitals more freedom in setting prices are likely to be central in discussions on a new government coalition agreement.