Coronavirus & Living Or Studying In The Netherlands
The COVID-19 pandemic is having an enormous impact worldwide on societies and human behaviour. In the Netherlands, the government has taken measures to control the virus outbreak until there is a vaccine or treatment available. There were many international students in the Netherlands at the time of the coronavirus outbreak, while at the same time, new students were about to arrive. We understand there are many questions regarding healthcare, insurance, residence permits, housing, educational institutions & admissions and travel restrictions.
Find up to date information on our page about Corona & studying in the Netherlands
How Much Does A Dutch Health Insurance Cost
The average basic Dutch health insurance premium in 2021 is about 120 euro per month.
Premiums are paid directly by each person to the chosen health insurance company. The amount depends on the chosen healthcare policy, deductible excess and selected supplemental coverages .
Besides the mandatory premium, healthcare in The Netherlands is also funded by other means:
- Income tax
- Deductibles
Can I Get Medical Insurance Today
While you can apply for medical insurance today, your coverage may not start until later. If you need coverage that starts as soon as possible, a short-term plan could start as soon as the day after you apply. These plans have a limited duration and limited medical benefits.
If you need a comprehensive health insurance plan, like an Affordable Care Act plan, you will need to wait until the Open Enrollment Period starts . Even in those time periods, your coverage may not start until the beginning of the next month .
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Health Insurance From The Age Of 18
When you become 18 years old, you are officially considered an adult in the Netherlands. One of the obligations that come with adulthood is having to take out your own healthcare insurance. You have one month to take out the insurance, and if you dont, you risk a fine.
Did you just turn 18 years old? You are obliged to take out Dutch health insurance!
Add A Reimbursement To Compare
- Urgent healthcare abroad up to 100%
- Urgent dental care abroad 275
- Dental care after an accident up to 10,000
- Urgent healthcare abroad up to 100%
- Dental care after an accident up to 10,000
- Dental care 75% up to 450
- 9x Physiotherapy
- Orthodontics up to 18 years: 100% up to 2,045
- Dental care up to 250
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What To Do If You Think You’ve Been Incorrectly Charged For Medical Treatment By An Eu Member State
It’s important that you keep documents relating to your treatment. The Overseas Healthcare Services at the NHSBSA may ask you for more information to check your eligibility and the cost of the treatment you had. This could include:
- receipts or invoices relating to treatment
- confirmation of payments made to healthcare institutions
- documents relating to insurance cover if your insurer paid for treatment
- discharge documents
They’ll look at your claim to decide whether you were charged when you should have been covered. If they determine that your treatment should have been covered by the UK GHIC, new UK EHIC or existing EHIC, theyll reimburse you or your insurer for the costs of treatment which are covered by your card. This may not include the full cost of treatment.
What Is The Affordable Care Act
The Affordable Care Act provides individuals and families greater access to affordable health insurance options including medical, dental, vision, and other types of health insurance that may not otherwise be available. Under the ACA:
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You may be able to purchase health care coverage through a state or federal marketplace that offers a choice of plans.
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Insurers can’t refuse coverage based on gender or a pre-existing condition.
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There are no lifetime or annual limits on coverage.
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Young adults can stay on their familys insurance plan until age 26.
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Seniors who hit the Medicare Prescription Drug Plan coverage gap or “donut hole” can get a discount on medications.
Read the full text of the ACA and learn more about its provisions and relationship to patients, insurers, businesses, and families.
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Changing Health Insurance Companies Or Policies
Health insurance cover changes annually and health insurance can be changed only once a year in December, prior to 1 January. You might want to do this if you think you need services that were not previously covered, for instance. The increased coverage usually amounts to increased costs, which should be considered beforehand, as you must then wait until the next year before other changes can be implemented.
Paying For Health Care Or Health Insurance
If you dont already have health insurance or youre interested in switching to a new health insurance plan, you may be able to buy a plan on your own through the Affordable Care Act. The ACA allows qualifying individuals and families to receive financial assistance to help cover the cost of premiums. Known as the Health Insurance Premium Tax Credit, this subsidy helps people who need health insurance afford their coverage. Resources like HealthSherpa.com and Healthcare.gov can help you find out whether you are eligible for the tax credit. They can also help you compare different health insurance plans available to you in your state. They may also be able to tell you if you qualify for programs like Medicare or Medicaid.
Check out HealthSherpa.com or Healthcare.gov if you would like to learn more about health insurance options available in your state and what you need to do to enroll.
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How To Get Cobra
Group health plans must give covered employees and their families a notice explaining their COBRA rights. Plans must have rules for how COBRA coverage is offered, how beneficiaries may choose to get it and when they can stop coverage. For more COBRA information, see COBRA Premium Subsidy. The page links to information about COBRA including:
What To Do If You Believe Your Existing Ehic Uk Ghic Or New Uk Ehic Has Been Wrongly Rejected
If you believe that your UK GHIC, new UK EHIC or existing EHIC has been wrongly rejected by a hospital or other healthcare provider in the country you’re visiting, you should try and resolve the issue with them.
Explain that the card entitles the holder to necessary healthcare. It may be useful to direct them to this webpage.
If you need more help, contact NHS Overseas Healthcare Services. They can give you advice on what to do.
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When You Can Get Individual Health Insurance
Each fall features the Affordable Care Acts Open Enrollment Period, where U.S. citizens can enroll in new health plans.1
Special Enrollment Periods are also available throughout the year for people who experience qualifying life events and find themselves in need of health insurance outside of the Open Enrollment Period. These qualifying life events include:2
- Getting married or divorced
- Having a baby or adopting a child
- Losing health coverage
- Relocating
- Becoming a U.S. citizen
Federal and state administrations can also issue Special Enrollment Periods that waive the qualifying life event requirement. For example, a Special Enrollment Period was declared in 2021 for anyone without insurance from February 15 to May 15 for people who use the federal ACA exchange.3 Following that announcement, Californias state exchange issued a similar Special Enrollment Period from February 1 to May 15, 2021.4
For information on when states offer enrollment, check out HealthMarkets guide to Open Enrollment dates.
Children And Dutch Health Insurance
Children under 18 must also be insured, however, their insurance cover is free, with no monthly premium and no eigen risico.
Children can usually be covered by the insurer of their parents, however, its also possible to choose other providers. The first month after a child turns 18, they must start paying their monthly premium.
Newborn babies must be registered for health insurance within four months of birth.
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Need Of Waiting Period In A Health Insurance Policy
There are several cases where a customer buys a health insurance policy to enjoy the claims and reimbursement. To avoid this moral hazard or wrong intention of getting a hoax claim benefit, the concept of the waiting period was introduced. Imagine an incidence where a person doesn’t have a health insurance policy and is diagnosed with a disease. The doctor suggested him to undergo surgery which is quite expensive and could have put an enormous hole in his savings. Looking at the problematic situation, the person chose to buy a health insurance policy without disclosing the disease. He even got the surgery covered just after the purchase. Hence, to avoid such unethical practices, the waiting period clause was introduced in a health insurance plan.
When Does Tobacco Rating Apply
Truly casual smokers may be able to avoid tobacco surcharges. Tobacco use must rise to a certain level before health insurance companies can penalize you.
According to the federal Department of Health and Human Services, insurance companies consider folks tobacco users if they use tobacco products including cigarettes, cigars, pipe tobacco, and chewing tobacco on average four or more times a week during the past six months.
One exemption to this ruling is religious or ceremonial uses of tobacco products, for example, by American Indians and Alaska Natives.
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Comparing Health Insurance Plans And Options
When signing up for health insurance, its essential you find the cover best suited to you and your family. This means doing your research. Youll need to know exactly what treatments are covered, how much youll need to pay, and what excess payments you might need to make. This is especially important if you or a family member have any particular medical needs.
A quick and easy way to compare health insurance policies is by using a comparison website. Dutch health insurance comparison websites include:
Know What You’re Buying
Carefully research your needs. Verify the terms, conditions, limitations, exclusions and requirements of your insurance policy before you leave Canada.
When assessing a travel health insurance plan, you should ask a lot of questions.
- Is there a deductible, and how much is it? Plans with 100-percent coverage are more expensive but may save money in the long run.
- Does the plan provide continuous coverage for the length of your stay abroad and after you return?
- Does the plan exclude or greatly limit coverage for certain regions or countries you may visit?
- Does it offer coverage that is renewable from abroad and for the maximum period of stay?
- Does the company have an in-house, worldwide, 24-hour/7-day emergency contact number in English and/or translation services for health care providers in your destination country?
- Does it pay for hospitalization for illness or injury and related medical costs at your destination?
- Does it pay your bills or cash advances up front, so you dont have to pay them?
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Who Can Apply For A New Uk Ehic Under The Withdrawal Agreement
You may be eligible for a new UK EHIC if you meet 1 of the following criteria:
- you’re living in the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein, and have been since before 1 January 2021 with a registered S1, E121, E106 or E109 form issued by the UK
- you’re living in the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein, since before 1 January 2021 with an A1 issued by the UK
- you’re a national of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein who has legally resided in the UK since before 1 January 2021 and are covered under the Withdrawal Agreement you may not be covered if youre also a UK national or if you were born in the UK
- you’re a family member or dependant of an entitled individual already listed.
- you’re a Chen or Ibrahim/Teixeira carer
How Do I Choose A Dutch Health Insurance
When comparing and choosing a health insurance as an expat, it is recommended to study the following things carefully:
- Premium
- Coverage and policy terms and conditions
- Health choice
If you need help, ask a Dutch speaking friend or colleague to assist you.
Or contact us by email or phone:
- +31 10 34 000 20
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A Business Owner Who Has Employees
If you start a business and you have employees, you might be required to offer them health insurance. Even if it’s not required, you might decide to offer health insurance in order to be a competitive employer that can attract qualified job candidates. In this situation, you will be required to purchase a business health insurance plan, also known as a group plan.
Types Of Waiting Period
The waiting period in your health insurance policy is influenced by various factors like the type of health insurance , medical history of the insured and the age of the buyer. It is essential to read the fine print of the policy waiting periods of a health insurance policy and pick the plan with a lesser waiting period. It will allow you to avail the benefits of your health insurance policy as soon as possible instead of bearing medical expenses from your pocket due to a long waiting period clause.
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Expats From Outside The Eu/eea
If you are not from the EU/EEA you are eligible for a Dutch health insurance if you have a permanent Dutch residence permit.
You must take out Dutch health insurance within four months of your permanent residence permit coming into force.
Dutch Government
You are not qualified for Dutch health insurance if:
- You are here for study purposes only
- You are working for an employer outside The Netherlands
- You are paying income tax in another country
- If you are waiting for a permanent residence permit
If you are not eligible for Dutch health insurance, you could take out expat health insurance.
How Do I Apply For Health Insurance In The Netherlands
You have four months to take out health insurance in the Netherlands after arriving. Failing to do so leaves you liable for a hefty fine and a retroactive bill.
Health insurance policies are valid from the time you pay your very first premium. When you register with a health insurance company, you must provide your Citizen Service Number . This is usually issued to you by your local municipal authority. For more information, read our guide to getting your Citizen Service Number.
Youll also need to provide proof of residence in the Netherlands as well as an identification document. If youre an employee, youll also have to provide a letter from your employer confirming your employment.
Signing up can be done quickly and easily with your chosen provider, either online or over the phone. Some providers offer an English sign-up process. However, should you require any further assistance you should be able to phone up and talk to an English-speaking representative.
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Can You Get Health Insurance After Cancer
It will depend on your circumstances but you can get health insurance after a cancer diagnosis. It will depend on how long it has been since you were diagnosed as well as the type of cancer and the cancer histology.
You can read more about how health insurance covers cancer in our article, “Does health insurance cover cancer?“
Book Your Trip After Youve Taken Out Insurance
Buying insurance can be a longer and more complicated process in your case, so you should do it before booking your trip. Why? Because if you arent able to get insurance, you wont be able to cancel your trip and get a refund. Travel agencies, air carriers and other providers will not consider it a valid reason.
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Can I Change My Dutch Health Insurance Provider
Yes, but residents of the Netherlands may only change health insurance providers once per year. To do so, you need to declare your intentions to cancel your policy prior to 1 January.
Providers also offer a cooling-off period, allowing you to cancel your premium within a set amount of time after initially signing up. Typically this period is set at 14 days.
What Is Covered By Short
The services covered by short-term insurance can vary greatly depending upon the insurance company that is offering the plan. There are some services that are generally covered by these plans, though. A few of these services are hospitalization, mammograms, regular doctor visits, lab work, x-rays, and more.
Short-term insurance does not cover prescription drugs or preventative care, however. It is not a substitute for permanent coverage by any means.
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Can I Get Insurance For Cancer
The simple answer is yes. There are a few different types of insurance that will pay out if you are diagnosed with cancer. Some provide funds to help with the financial impact of having cancer, providing a lump sum or income at a time when you may be too unwell to work, while others cater for the treatment and care you may need.
In this article, we will describe each type of insurance and how it helps to fund the financial impacts of cancer.
