The cost of Dutch health insurance could be reduced if insurance companies did not have to pick up the bill of non-contracted healthcare providers, the national health authority said on Wednesday.

Insurers currently have to foot between 75% and 80% of the bill for treatment at a healthcare provider whom they do not have a contract with.

But this, the authority argues, is keeping prices artificially high.

‘Insurers have a duty of care. There has to be sufficient local care provision for everyone. But an insurance company should not have to have a contract with, for example, 20 physiotherapists in the same neighbourhood,’ a spokeswoman told news agency ANP. 

Changing the current system would require a change in the law and a proposal is already with parliament, the spokeswoman said. Insurers make agreements on price and quality with healthcare providers on an annual basis.

Freedom of choice

At the moment, people who want complete freedom of choice in healthcare provider pay higher premiums.

The NZA also said it sees no reason to intervene on behalf of small healthcare providers such as physiotherapists who find their fees are being squeezed by health insurance companies.

Last year, for example, the big four health insurance groups paid no more than €30 for a 30-minute session with a speech therapist.