The monthly premium for Dutch health insurance is set to rise by around 9,5 euros in 2015, sources close to governmental budget negotiations told the AD newspaper. This means people will spend roughly 114 euros extra per year, taking the annual cost of basic health insurance to 1.215 euros in 2015.
Additionally, the compulsory excess (eigen risico) looks likely to increase from 360 to around 405 euros per year. The eigen risico, or "own risk" is the amount an individual must pay out of his or her own pocket for most healthcare services before health insurance coverage kicks in.
There are two main causes for the increased insurance costs, the first being the transfer of health care tasks. For example, home nursing care will become the responsibility of local councils, with costs (involving billions of euros for long-term care) paid from a health insurance reserve, or zorgverzekeringspot. This extra cost is to be absorbed by everyone by raising the premium.
The second reason is that employers are being compensated for having contributed too much to employees’ health insurance in the past.
According to one of the AD’s sources in The Hague the premium increase could have been as high as 200 euros for 2015.
Earlier in the year, in response to concern within the government, Edith Schippers, the Minister of Health, and the cabinet took measures to limit the rise in costs.
The precise increase will be officially made known on September 16, on Prinsjesdag, when the parliamentary season is opened and the King presents the budget and financial plan for the coming year.
The monthly premium amount set by the government is a guideline for Dutch health insurance providers, who determine their own tariffs at the end of the year.
There has been recent concern about people avoiding health treatment due to rising costs.
The AD points out that people who anticipate little health care in the coming year can literally "take a risk" and increase their eigen risico to reduce their monthly premium payments.