14 minute read
HEALTHCARE
YOU CAN BE ASSURED THAT YOU WILL RECEIVE HIGH QUALITY HEALTHCARE IN THE NETHERLANDS. HOWEVER, SOME THINGS MAY BE ARRANGED IN A DIFFERENT WAY THAN YOU ARE USED TO.
DOCTOR
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• Huisarts is a General Practitioner (GP) or family doctor.
Most speak English.
• The “huisarts” is your first contact for all medical questions and complaints. GP’s are medical specialists with a 9 year training in treating the most common complaints.
• When needed your GP will prescribe medication or refer you to a diagnostic center, hospital or other medical specialist. Dutch doctors tend to not hand out prescriptions lightly.
• Non-urgent medical treatment from a hospital or specialist requires a referral from your “huisarts”.
• It is strongly recommended to register with a GP in your area as soon as you are settled, even when not directly in need of a doctor. It will make it much easier to get in touch if you need one later on.
• If you weren’t yet able to register with a GP and are in urgent need of a doctor, call any GP in your neighbourhood and explain your situation.
• Visit http://www.zorgkaartnederland.nl/huisarts (in Dutch) for doctors in your area.
• Some doctors will refuse registers because their practices are already full or if you live too far from the practice. Sometimes they will place you on a waiting list.
MEDICAL EMERGENCIES
• In case of a life-threatening emergency always call 112.
This will give you access to all emergency services.
• In other urgent situations call your GP. If your doctor’s office is closed and you have medical complaints that can’t wait until the next day or after the weekend, call the central doctor’s office (“Huisartsenpost”). Your GP’s website or answering machine will provide you with the phone number.
CORONA
• You will find up to date official information at www.government.nl/topics/coronavirus-covid-19 and www.rivm.nl/en/novel-coronavirus-covid-19
DENTIST
• Visit http://www.zorgkaartnederland.nl/tandarts (in Dutch) to locate a dentist (tandarts).
• A dentist can also be located via your insurance company; some policies require an annual check-up.
• Dental care also requires registration; dentists are of short supply so many practices may not take on new patients.
• Dental care for those under 18 is covered in basic insurance, as is dental surgery and dentures, though a deductible and own contribution apply.
• Expats may find anaesthesia is less forthcoming than in their own country, although this varies between dentists. If you feel that your procedure requires it, it’s helpful to request this.
• Almost all dental practices in the Netherlands are private with one dentist and one assistant. Oral surgeons are usually affiliated with a hospital, and orthodontists usually have a private practice.
• It is possible to take out supplementary insurance that can cover up to 75 percent of costs for visits and dental care.
ORTHODONTICS HOSPITALS
• Ortho is not covered by basic insurance. It is possible to take out supplementary insurance for this. For children under 18 one of the parents needs to take out this insurance.
• If you have orthodontic gear on before arriving to the
Netherlands, some research will be done to see which orthodontist can continue the care.
HEALTHCARE FOR CHILDREN
• All aspects of children’s growth and development from birth up to 18 years old are covered by Youth
Healthcare (JGZ – “Jeugd Gezondheidszorg”), a national service.
• Your GP can provide you with the details. You can also search for your local “JGZ”. • Inoculations and checks from birth to age four take place at the consultatiebureau, which is part of the JGZ service. Expect a big check-up just before starting school.
• For childhood immunisations, you may wish to check with JGZ whether the Dutch immunisation scheme is the same as the one from your home country.
Are you new to The Netherlands and in search of a dentist?
We are the dental practice of Dr. Jesse and we have been serving the local and expat communities for the past twenty years.
info@tandartsenpraktijkjesse.nl 020-6762030 www.tandartsenpraktijkjesse.nl Tandartsenpraktijk Jesse Stadionweg 73 1077 SE Amsterdam (Old South) • At the hospital, “accident and emergency” or “ER” is called “SEH” (spoedeisende hulp).
• In case of a life-threatening emergency always call 112.
• For a hospital admission for non-emergency treatment you need a referral from your GP.
• In case of admission, keep your insurance company informed and check your policy. Not all policies fully cover all services at a particular hospital.
PHARMACIES
• Pharmacists can give advice for minor complaints.
• Drogists supply over-the-counter remedies, while the apotheek (pharmacy) handles prescription drugs.
• Once you have located a huisarts, you need to locate a pharmacy (apotheek) for prescriptions.
• If this pharmacy deals with your particular insurance scheme, you won’t have to pay bills directly. Pharmacy services vary, so look for one that has the services you need.
• Pharmacies in the Netherlands take your contact and insurance information and then consider you a longterm client (although it is possible to fill prescriptions elsewhere, if needed).
• If you have been treated at a hospital, you can sometimes fill your prescription at an onsite pharmacy.
They can also be ordered online but check that this online pharmacy is safe.
HAVING A BABY
• The Netherlands has a strong tradition in prenatal care and natural childbirths.
• A midwife -- an independent medical practitioner with a 4 year bachelor degree -- will generally be your sole care provider during your pregnancy and delivery.
• You should register with a midwife early in your first trimester; Your huisarts can recommend one to you or visit www.zorgkaartnederland.nl/verloskundige.
• Pain medication during delivery is not standard.
Should you prefer to have pain medication or a hospital birth, let your midwife know within the first few months of your pregnancy.
• Expectant mothers with certain sorts of medical conditions or complications will be handled by an obstetrician (gynaecologist), which will have you automatically deliver in the hospital.
• Some hospitals have birth centres or nearby birthing “hotels”, where the environment is made more “homely”.
• If you do deliver your baby in a hospital, you can often be back at home the same day for postnatal (maternity) care.
• Regular check-ups take place with the primary caregiver (midwife or obstetrician).
• The routine prenatal testing recommended in the
Netherlands is different from the guidelines in some other countries.
• There are many types of birth preparation classes,. ACCESS (www.access-nl.org) can provide more info. • Self-employed mothers are equally entitled to paid leave, but the amount depends on the hours worked in the last 12 months.
• Parents are also allowed to take increments of unpaid parenting leave (ouderschapsverlof) totalling six months, until a child is 8 years old. As part of this, fathers are increasingly taking one day a week for child care, known as “Daddy day” (papadag).
MATERNITY CARE
• Once your baby has arrived, you will be given assistance at home by a maternity nurse (kraamverzorgster); costs are usually covered by your insurance.
• It is important to register for maternity care (kraamzorg) early in your pregnancy, as the nurses are sometimes in short supply. Your midwife will help you find one or check www.kraamzorg.nl (in Dutch).
MATERNITY LEAVE AND PARENTING LEAVE
• New mothers are entitled to 16-weeks minimum paid maternity leave in the Netherlands that must start within 4-6 weeks before their due date.
• Partners can take a number of (paid) days off within 4 weeks after the child is born. The number of days is equal to the number of days per working week that the partner is employed.
• Since July 1st 2020 there is the option of 5 weeks additional partner leave against 70% of pay (a maximum applies). • From August 2022 parents are entitled to 50% of pay (maximum applies) during the first 9 weeks of parenting leave. Parents must take this leave before the child reaches the age of 1.
MENTAL HEALTHCARE
• Moving to a new country can bring about mental challenges.
• If you are having trouble sorting out your problems on your own, or you don’t know exactly what is wrong with you, you can go to your GP (huisarts).
• Mild mental health problems can be treated by a GP, often working together with a Mental Health Nurse
Practitioner. Your GP sometimes can also offer you online counselling (e-health).
• The GP may also suggest treatment with medication such as anti-depressants or refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist for more specialised mental health treatment.
• Treatment by your GP or mental health nurse is fully covered by your basic health insurance. Cost of more specialised treatment is also covered, but payable by you to the maximum of your annual excess.
PREVENTIVE HEALTHCARE
• The Netherlands has good nation-wide preventive health programs. These programs are available at different stages in an individual’s development and most are free of charge.
• There are screening options available for people at risk for certain diseases such as cardiovascular, pulmonary or sexually transmitted diseases.
• During maternity leave, mothers are entitled to 100 percent of their earnings paid out by their employer or the Uitvoeringsinstituut Werknemers
Verzekeringen (UWV). • The flu vaccination is offered free of charge to people having a higher risk of becoming seriously ill if they get flu. This is done by the GP.
• There are screening programs during pregnancy and several after a child is born such as developmental check-ups and a preventative vaccination program.
These are administered by Youth Healthcare (“Jeugd gezondheidszorg”) at the Baby Health Clinic (“Consultatie Bureau”).
• There are also population screening programs later in life for diseases such as breast, cervical and colon cancer. You’ll be invited for these and they are executed at your GP’s office or at a Public Health facility. With the invitation you will receive information about the purpose and process of the screening. Ask your GP what screenings apply to you.
• Participation is on a voluntary basis. If you do not wish to participate, you can return the invitation to the laboratory indicating you do not wish the screening.
TRAVEL SERVICES AND VACCINATIONS
• If you travel to countries in Africa, South and Central
America, Asia and the former Eastern Bloc nations you can contact your GP or Public Health Services (“GGD”) for advice and preventive vaccination.
• More information about Dutch healthcare: www.h4i.nl/healthcare
HEALTH INSURANCE
• Cost is about EUR 135 a month.
• The basic insurance covers general medical care (visits to the doctor, for example), hospital stays, ambulance services, IVF, the midwife and maternity care, dental care for children up to age 18, most prescription medicine, and various appliances.
• You can take out supplementary insurance (aanvullend pakket) for anything the government considers your responsibility, like adult dental care and physiotherapy.
This can be from a separate insurance company, though not all insurers will accept you if you don’t take out the Basic insurance.
• Check if your healthcare supplier is registered with your insurer before starting treatments.
• If you work at a company, it is worth checking whether there is a collective scheme that provides health insurance at a discount. Maximum allowable discount is 5 %.
• The standard insurance package includes a mandatory excess or deductible (eigen risico - 2023: € 385) that you must pay towards your insurance claims. For some services you also have to pay a personal contribution (eigen bijdrage).
• It is mandatory for everyone living in the
Netherlands to purchase a basic level of health insurance (basisverzekering) from a Dutch insurance provider (zorgverzekeraar).
• You have to take out Health insurance (zorgverzekering) from a Dutch insurer within four months of arrival or start of work for a Dutch employer.
You will be insured as of the day of arrival and will also have to pay premiums from that date. • Insurers generally pay in full for family doctor (GP or
“huisarts”) visits, obstetric and postnatal care, national screening programmes, flu vaccinations and some chronic illness treatments.
• Certain students, employees and work arrangements can be exempt from this requirement, but you should check carefully whether your situation qualifies.
• If you don’t take out insurance while you are required to do so, you risk a fine.
• Children under 18 are included in their parents’ insurance at no additional cost, unless the child begins working. For this one of the parents must register their children at his/her policy.
• A Dutch insurance company cannot refuse to cover you for the basic package, regardless of your age or state of health.
• The standard coverage is set by the government, although providers vary in cost and how they deliver these requirements. If your income is under a fixed minimum level, you can apply for a healthcare allowance (zorgtoeslag) from the tax authorities.
• You can get free advice from the independent organisation www.zorgverzekeringslijn.nl.
• Find a list of insurers (zorgverzekeraars) at www.zn.nl, or compare insurance policy costs at www.zorgwijzer.nl/zorgvergelijker/english • In addition to your premium your employer will also contribute a percentage of your income to cover the costs of healthcare. If you are self-employed you will have to pay this contribution directly to the tax authorities.
• Coverage, premiums and excess may change every 1 January. At this date you can switch to another provider or policy.
• More information about Health insurance: http://www.h4i.nl/insurance
WHAT TO DO AFTER ARRIVAL
• There are many things you need to arrange before or after you arrive in the Netherlands. Arranging for healthcare is just one of them, but obviously very important, especially if you are bringing small children or have a medical condition yourself.
• To arrange access to the Dutch healthcare you need to take the following steps:
1. Register at the local municipality. They will issue you and your family members a BSN (Citizen Service
Number, “Burger Service Nummer” -BSN). Sometimes you will need a residence permit first to obtain a
2. You may need to undergo a screening for TBC (Tuberculosis) to get a residence permit. You will get more information about this when contacting the municipality. Many nationalities are exempted from this obligation.
3. Arrange health insurance for you and your family members. In most cases you are obliged to take out Dutch health insurance, although there are exceptions. For this you will need a BSN. 4. Register with a GP in your area, even when not directly in need of a doctor. The GP (“huisarts”) is the key to Dutch healthcare. For most of your medical needs he/she will be your first point of contact.
To register with a GP you will need a valid health insurance and BSN.
5. Acquaint yourself with the Dutch healthcare system.
It ranks among the best in the world, but some things, however, may be arranged in a way that is different than you are used to.
• Even if you have not yet been able to complete the abovementioned steps, Dutch healthcare will, of course, be available to you and your family in case of emergencies.
DENTAL PRACTICES Lassus Tandartsen Amsterdam: Lassusstraat 9, 1075 GV Amsterdam | +31(0)20 471 3137 Keizersgracht 132, 1015 CW Amsterdam | +31(0)20 422 1912 Stadionplein 125, 1076 CK Amsterdam | +31(0)20 210 4006 info@lassustandartsen.nl | www.lassus.nl | facebook-f @lassustandartsen | Instagram @lassustandartsen Lassus Tandartsen Oisterwijk: Moergestelseweg 32L,5062 JW Oisterwijk | +31(0)13 521 0660 | Oisterwijk@lassus.nl | www.lassus.nl Lassus Tandartsen Lelystad: Middendreef 273, 8233 GT Lelystad | +31(0)320 331 660 | Lelystad@lassus.nl | www.lassustandartsenlelystad.nl Lassus Tandartsen Tilburg: Ringbaan Oost 2-02, 5013 CA Tilburg | +31(0)13 210 5009 | Tilburg@lassus.nl | www.lassus.nl Apollo – Tandartsen voor orthodontie: Apollolaan 174, 1077 BH Amsterdam | +31(0)20 210 4006 | info@apollo-ortho.nl | www.apollo-ortho.nl Tandartsenpraktijk Jesse: Stadionweg 73, 1077 SE Amsterdam | +31(0)20 676 2030 | info@tandartsenpraktijkjesse.nl | www.tandartsenpraktijkjesse.nl | facebook-f @tandartsenpraktijkjesseamsterdam EXPAT COACHING & THERAPY Kühler & Partners International Mental Health: Location Amsterdam: Koningslaan 35, 1075 AB Amsterdam | Location The Hague: Nassaulaan 5, 2514 JS The Hague | +31(0)85 066 0500 | info@internationalmentalhealth.nl | www.internationalmentalhealth.nl
At Kühler & Partners, we are experts in treating mental health issues. Our professionals understand the highs and lows of international living. We provide personlized care with a strong focus on quality of life. Our team of psychologists and psychiatrists offers treatment to adults and children from 6 years old in English, French, Greek, Spanish, Mandarin, Japanese, Dutch and German.
Kühler & Partners look forward to welcoming and supporting you.
We are here to support you
Because sometimes you need a little guidance to find your way.
LOCATIONS Den Haag Amsterdam
