A number of hospitals and clinics are asking for more money from health insurers than they have available, Achmea, the country’s largest health insurer, said on Tuesday.

According to Achmea, some hospitals are asking for a 20% rise in budgets, even though last year’s budget agreement was for a maximum increase of 2.5%.
Negotiations between health insurers and hospitals for a new contract are due to be completed before April 1.
Achmea represents some 5.5 million policyholders, through brands such as Zilveren Kruis.
If deals with individual hospitals are not reached, it could lead to patients being forced to attend a different hospital, Trouw reported.