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Health insurance premiums go up, so should you be switching insurer?

Photo: Depositphotos.com
Photo: Depositphotos.com

Dutch health insurance companies are putting up their rates by an average of €8 a month next year, according to research by insurance comparison website Zorgwijzer.nl.

This well below the €10 per month the government had been expecting. In addition, the deductible excess (eigen risico) remains the same in 2019 as it was in 2018 – at €385 per person.

Despite the small increase in insurance premiums, the difference between the cheapest and most expensive health insurance is over €300 a year in 2019, the biggest gap on record, the Zorgwijzer research shows.

So having a look at your current health insurance plan and switching to another insurance provider may save you a tidy sum of money.

Changes

What else do you need to know about next year’s health insurance? Firstly, the government has decided to make some changes in next year’s basic insurance package (basispakket).

A new item in the basic package this year is the so-called combined lifestyle intervention (GLI). This means people suffering from obesity can claim help to pay for developing a healthier lifestyle by eating less, taking more exercise and improving their mental health and behaviour. The intervention is only meant for obese patients with an increased health risk.

The cover has also been extended for people suffering from COPD and for people entitled to patient transport (by car, taxi or public transport).

However, unlike in previous years, the government has not made major changes in the provisions of the basic policy.

Making the switch

Zorgwijzer expects a significant increase in people switching insurance company this year. According to their survey, 1,250,000 people will take advantage of the end-of year window and will have a different insurance policy in 2019.

It can be tedious to select a better or cheaper health insurance policy, especially when Dutch is not your native language. Luckily, Zorgwijzer has developed an English comparison tool, which allows you to find a suitable plan for yourself and your family within five to ten minutes.

If you decide to make a switch, make sure you do it before the end of this year. The new insurance company will then terminate your old policy on your behalf, making the switch even easier.

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