Glossary

The key terms of Dutch health insurance, explained briefly and clearly.

Acceptance (acceptatie): Whether an insurer has to accept you: always for basic insurance, not for supplementary insurance.
AGB code (Dutch care provider ID): A unique code used to register care professionals and care providers in the Netherlands.
Basic health insurance (basisverzekering): The mandatory Dutch health insurance, with a standard package set by the government that is the same at every insurer.
Budget policy (budgetpolis): A cheaper in-kind policy with fewer contracted care providers and sometimes extra restrictions.
Choice of care provider (zorgkeuze): How free you are to choose your own care provider without extra costs.
Combination policy (combinatiepolis): A basic insurance policy that works like an in-kind policy for some care and like a reimbursement policy for other care.
Contracted care (gecontracteerde zorg): Care from a provider that has a contract with your insurer for your policy.
Coverage overview (vergoedingenwijzer): An overview from the insurer showing, per type of care, what basic and supplementary insurance cover.
Dental insurance (tandartsverzekering): Supplementary insurance for dental care that basic insurance does not cover.
Group insurance (collectieve verzekering): Health insurance arranged through your employer, municipality or an association, with a discount or special terms.
Healthcare allowance (zorgtoeslag): A monthly government contribution towards the cost of your health insurance if your income and assets are below certain limits.
In-kind policy (naturapolis): A basic insurance policy that fully covers care from providers that have a contract with your insurer.
Mandatory deductible (eigen risico): The amount you pay yourself each calendar year for care covered by basic insurance before your insurer starts paying.
Policy terms (polisvoorwaarden): The terms and conditions of your insurance: what is covered, under which conditions, and your rights and obligations.
Prior authorisation (machtiging): Permission you need from your insurer in advance before certain care is covered.
Reimbursement policy (restitutiepolis): A basic insurance policy that lets you choose any care provider, including providers without a contract with your insurer.
Supplementary insurance (aanvullende verzekering): Optional extra insurance for care that basic insurance does not cover, or covers only partly.
Switching service (overstapservice): When you take out basic insurance with a new insurer, the new insurer cancels your old policy for you.
Voluntary deductible (vrijwillig eigen risico): An extra deductible on top of the mandatory one that you can choose in exchange for a lower premium.
Waiting period (wachttijd): The period after taking out supplementary insurance during which certain care is not yet covered.