Health insurance group Menzis said on Monday it is cutting the cost of a basic package by €6 to €1,272 a year.

This takes the cost of the monthly fee down 50 cents to €106. The cost of most top-up insurance policies is either unchanged or will rise marginally, Menzis said.
Menzis is the third health insurance company to announce its 2013 fees. Stad Holland is increasing its basic fee by €6 and DSW is leaving premiums the same as 2012.
The own-risk element in health insurance is rising from €220 to €350 next year.
Basic package
Dutch health insurance is made up of a basic package, determined by the government, and top-up policies.
Since the insurance system was reformed in 2006, some 3% to 4% of people swap insurer during the change-over window at the end of the year.
This has led to a lack of competition between insurers. Some 95% of the market is in the hands of four big combines: CZ, Menzis, Achmea and VGZ/Univé.
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