€385 Deductible?
Jan 17th 2024, 7:57 am
#1
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€385 Deductible?
I was just watching a YouTube video about an American couple comparing their life in Netherlands with that in USA. Obviously their health care costs were much lower in the Netherlands but they mentioned a €385 deductible. Does that mean in NL you have to pay €385 every time you go to the doctor?
Jan 18th 2024, 7:20 am
#2
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Re: €385 Deductible?
I was just watching a YouTube video about an American couple comparing their life in Netherlands with that in USA. Obviously their health care costs were much lower in the Netherlands but they mentioned a €385 deductible. Does that mean in NL you have to pay €385 every time you go to the doctor?
Last edited by SushiFan; Jan 18th 2024 at 7:23 am.
Jan 18th 2024, 4:27 pm
#3
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Re: €385 Deductible?
The € 385,- charge is actually an "own risk" portion which is determined by the government. It's an annual charge.
It only applies to regular medical costs and not Dental costs. (for which there are different options).
You can pay a higher deductible if you wish, which will reduce your monthly premiums. (Though I could never see who might benefit from this).
If you have a car and have an accident you often have a deductible that you pay yourself towards repair costs. €500,- for example.
In the case of the " Eigen Risico", any medical costs you have will be counted against the 385 figure, depending on the type of treatment or medicine.
Some medicines are free or exempted, others are charged based on a percentage of the cost being covered and the rest paid by you from your ER. (385,-)
For example, if you visit a GP, the appointment is paid for by the state, and medicines will be partially covered by your insurance policy.
The bit that is not covered you will pay yourself each time until you reach the threshold of 385.
Imagine you go into hospital and have massive bills..the 385 would be wiped out immediately and the greater portion of the costs covered by your insurance.
Once again the system is complex and does not cover everything down to the last pill or blood test.
Perhaps not mentioned in the YouTube feature were the compulsory monthly health Insurance Premiums, the percentage of your end of year Income taxes that also go towards the social insurances and an extra solidarity charge for those with income above a certain level.
Welcome to the NL!
It only applies to regular medical costs and not Dental costs. (for which there are different options).
You can pay a higher deductible if you wish, which will reduce your monthly premiums. (Though I could never see who might benefit from this).
If you have a car and have an accident you often have a deductible that you pay yourself towards repair costs. €500,- for example.
In the case of the " Eigen Risico", any medical costs you have will be counted against the 385 figure, depending on the type of treatment or medicine.
Some medicines are free or exempted, others are charged based on a percentage of the cost being covered and the rest paid by you from your ER. (385,-)
For example, if you visit a GP, the appointment is paid for by the state, and medicines will be partially covered by your insurance policy.
The bit that is not covered you will pay yourself each time until you reach the threshold of 385.
Imagine you go into hospital and have massive bills..the 385 would be wiped out immediately and the greater portion of the costs covered by your insurance.
Once again the system is complex and does not cover everything down to the last pill or blood test.
Perhaps not mentioned in the YouTube feature were the compulsory monthly health Insurance Premiums, the percentage of your end of year Income taxes that also go towards the social insurances and an extra solidarity charge for those with income above a certain level.
Welcome to the NL!
