2023-06-12 03:00:42
Patients are more often surprised by health care bills that they have to pay themselves, because they do not realize that it is not included in their insurance. This is stated by the Netherlands Patient Federation after research. ‘Care providers simply start the care, it shouldn’t be like that.’
More than 1 in 10 patients received a bill for treatment in the past three years. They ended up with care providers who do not have a contract with their health insurer. Half did not know this before treatment. As a result, they unexpectedly had to pay part of the bill themselves, because the health insurer only pays a percentage of non-contracted care.
This is evident from a survey by the Netherlands Patient Federation among more than 12,000 participants. The sample is not representative, because the group of respondents uses relatively more care. “The average citizen has no idea that not all healthcare providers have a contract with the insurers. They cut back on health insurance, but do not realize that they are also reimbursed less,” says Dianda Veldman, director of the Patient Federation.
Even more expensive
Figures from Vektis’ Care Thermometer, which collects data about care, show that more people have health insurance that does not cover everything. More and more policies that do reimburse all treatments from all healthcare providers are disappearing. In addition, patients are more likely to look for insurance policies that cost less money.
Due to unexpected bills, such a cheaper insurance can still turn out more expensive. Most of the patients had to pay between 100 and 500 euros, some even more.
Patients must check before treatment whether they will be reimbursed, but not everyone does that, according to the Patient Federation. Now it happens regularly that they receive a referral, for example to an independent treatment center or mental health care without a contract. “We don’t think that’s ‘your own fault, fat hump’. People should be made more aware that they are not always reimbursed for all care,” says Veldman.
Way too complicated
The research shows that patients find it difficult to find the right information. “I had to make a lot of effort to find out what was and what was not reimbursed. A terrible puzzle and I haven’t figured it out yet,” responds one respondent. Veldman: “It is much too complicated. That should really be easier.”
In addition, healthcare providers should also warn patients better if they do not have a contract with their health insurer, according to the Patient Federation. “Health care providers simply start the care, knowing that they do not have a contract with all health insurers. It shouldn’t be like that.”
Health insurers in the Netherlands cannot yet comment on the content of the study. She does state, however, that health insurers consider it important to inform policyholders properly. They are working on improvement for 2024.
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