Losing weight is the New Year’s resolution for many people. For example, do you want to change your lifestyle to work on your health? This can be done with good guidance. But how can you use this guidance and what is reimbursed from the health insurance?
Lose weight yourself
You can usually lose a few pounds yourself. You adjust your diet, try to snack less, drink less alcohol and exercise more. For example, take a walk outside with colleagues during the break or go to work by bike. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Find a sports buddy, such as a colleague or close friend, to exercise with. Also choose healthy snacks, such as fruit, nuts and raw vegetables.
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To the doctor
Do you need to lose more weight for your health? You can do this well with the right guidance. After all, losing weight is not just a physical challenge. Mentally, it can also be difficult to make significant changes to your lifestyle. Independent care expert Bas Knopperts: “First make an appointment with your GP. In consultation with your GP, you determine what form of guidance you need. A consultation with the general practitioner is always covered by the basic coverage of your health insurance. You don’t pay any deductible either.”
Different weight loss experts
There are all kinds of experts who can help you with it to lose weight. Think of dieticians, a weight consultant or specialized physiotherapists. Do you have no specific medical complaints, but are you just a bit overweight? Then a weight consultant can help you. A weight consultant knows a lot about nutrition and exercise. Do you suffer from medical complaints due to being overweight, such as cardiovascular disease or high blood pressure? In that case you will be referred to a dietician. The dietitian will analyze your diet and habits (such as sports and other activities). You will then receive appropriate nutrition and lifestyle advice. Do you want to learn to exercise responsibly? Then you can opt for medical fitness: you can go to a specialized physiotherapist for this. There are also special lifestyle programs that are reimbursed by your health insurance.
Reimbursement health insurance weight loss
Are you looking for help with weight loss? There are various fees for this. Not all medical assistance with weight loss is reimbursed.
- Diet advice
3 hours of dietary advice per year is reimbursed by the basic insurance. Do you need more hours? You can have this insured with supplementary insurance. You will only be reimbursed for your visit to the dietician if there is a medical purpose. - Weight Consultant
A visit to the weight consultant is not reimbursed under the basic insurance. A number of health insurers offer supplementary insurance for this. How much you will be reimbursed varies per insurer. The reimbursement for a weight consultant is a maximum of 500 euros per year. You will only receive the reimbursement if the weight consultant is affiliated with the BGN (Beroepsvereniging Weightconsulenten Nederland). - Medical fitness
Medical fitness is also not covered by the basic insurance. There are a few insurers that offer additional insurance for this. These insurances are often very limited. - lifestyle program
Do you want to participate in a lifestyle program? This is reimbursed by your health insurance. However, this must be a ‘combined lifestyle intervention’ (GLI). In addition, you must meet a few conditions. For example, there must be a moderate weight-related health risk. Would you like to know whether you qualify for such a program and whether this is reimbursed? Discuss this with your doctor.
Reimbursement of medication for obesity
Since 1 April 2022, a medicine for a small group of obese people has been reimbursed from the basic insurance. The medicine is called Saxenda and costs about 2,600 euros per year. This medicine is only reimbursed if you meet certain conditions. For example, you must participate in a combined lifestyle intervention. In addition, you should not yet be eligible for a gastric bypass. You also have a BMI of 35 or higher in combination with a disease (not type 2 diabetes): osteoarthritis, cardiovascular disease or sleep apnea. Or do you have a BMI of 40 or higher and you do not have type 2 diabetes.
Free health course or fitness app
Independer healthcare expert Bas Knopperts: “Many health insurers offer all kinds of free extras to improve your health. Think of a health platform with tips, an app to easily ask questions to a doctor or an app aimed at your mental health. There are also insurers that offer an online health course to save points. You can exchange these points for a discount on your health care premium or a discount on sports equipment.”