People with chronic health problems are finding it increasingly hard to switch health insurers, according to research by patients’ lobby group NPCF.

This year, eight of the 30 companies offering health insurance in the Netherlands want new customers to fill in a declaration form about their health. In 2007, only four insurance companies asked about policyholders’ health records.
In addition, people with health problems are being asked to pay higher premiums for extra cover or are excluded from some provisions, the NPCF says.