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Healthcare in the Netherlands
The standard of healthcare in Netherlands is reasonably high and probably one of the best in Europe. The following article gives a brief overview of healthcare and insurance issues in the country and lists the hospitals in Amsterdam. We also look at a couple of natural health practices in the Amsterdam area. |
Visitors
If you are just travelling to Netherlands then you should always have your own private travel insurance. Those visiting from EEA countries and Switzerland should also get an EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) issued from their own country which entitles visitors to reciprocal emergency treatment. If you have a problem you can always go and see a GP (huisarts) - most will speak reasonable English.
Residents
If you are coming to live in the country then it is obligatory to have a Dutch health insurance (zorgverzekering) policy - even if you have private medical insurance from a non-Dutch company such as BUPA.
The cost of basic Dutch medical insurance is around €90 - €100 per month for everyone regardless of age and state of health. Those in employment will also pay a contribution (ie - tax) out of their salary whilst those on lower incomes get a subsidy. Children under 18 do not need to pay health insurance premiums. Various employers and organisations will have a collective health insurance discounts for members.
There is also a compulsory excess (eigen risico) where you pay the first €155 per year of certain medical costs. Some policies can have a higher excess in exchange for lower monthly premiums - for example an excess of €655 equates to a monthly premium of around €70.
The basic insurance policy will cover visits to doctors and specialists, medical treatment, hospital care, prescriptions and dental care up to age 22. Note that full dental coverage for over 22s requires extra premiums.
When you have found somewhere to live you should register with a local GP.
Making an appointment is relatively straight forward and many practices also have a telephone consultation hour (spreekuur) set aside to deal with patient queries. If you need to see a specialist you will need a referral from your GP. You should also find a pharmacy in your local area where you can collect any prescribed medication. Be aware that Dutch doctors do not generally prescribe antibiotics for cold like symptoms. |
In case of emergency you can go to Accident and Emergency (known as EHBO - Eerste Hulp bij Ongelukken) at a hospital. You can contact emergency services by telephone dialling 112.
Patients need to register their details with a specific hospital before having treatment or seeing a specialist there. The hospital will issue you with a small embossed white card called a ponsplaatje or a smart card which you need to bring on any subsequent visits.
There are a number of hospitals in Amsterdam: OLVG Hospital, Onze Lieve Vrouwe Gasthuis, Oosterpark 9, +31(0)20 599 9111 OLVG also has the Prinsengracht Clinic on Prinsengracht 769, +31(0)20 599 4100. Sint Lucas Andreas Hospital, Jan Tooropstraat 164, +31(0)20 510 8911 VU Medical Centre (towards Amstelveen), De Boelelaan 1117-1118, +31(0)20 444 4444 AMC, Academisch Medisch Centrum (in the south-east), Meibergdreef 9, +31(0)20 566 9111 Boven het IJ Hospital, Statenjachtstraat 1, +31(0)20 634 6346 Slotervaart Hospital, Louwesweg 6, +31(0)20 512 5511 |
Natural Health
Some insurance policies may also cover or part-cover natural health care procedures which are well established in the Netherlands.
For example, the Amsterdam Kliniek in Abcoude (just south-east of Amsterdam, +31(0)294 288 491) deals with patients with serious conditions like cancer, allergies, chronic fatigue and psoriasis. They use natural treatments in conjunction with conventional medicine.
Monika
Denes at NaturalHealthCare.nl
(+31(0)20 771 8183) has a small practice in Amstelveen that treats patients using
Shiatsu, acupuncture, massage and meridian energy therapy. She caters to both
locals and international visitors.