Dutch Medical System | Healthcare in The Netherlands

[@evanherk]

Being a huisarts myself, I was most curious to see your video. We do make house calls but only in cases of real need, we expect you to make a serious effort to come to us. We don't take patients, therefore, who live too far away. Pap smears are normally done by the huisarts. Also IUDs BTW. Good advice about the huisartsenpost. Our microbiologists here tell us that even with our restrictive antibiotic policy, more than half of our prescriptions are still considered superfluous by them... but we have few problems with antibiotic resistance in this country. Also: we don't use antibiotic ointments on minor skin wounds - a typical US habit...

[@kodomotachi1]

Thank you for offering the "insider view"!

[@maaikewilhelmina1457]

And we don’t call the huisartsenpost when our child is vomiting in the middle of the night😉 at least.. I am not.

[@CologneCarter]

@@maaikewilhelmina1457 Vomiting and diarrhea are no reason to panic and call for help in the middle of the night - in my humble opinion. An ear infection may or may not call for immediate attention by a doctor. I had both situations with my kids when they were toddlers. By and large I have to say, if the kid is breathing fine, the fever isn't life threatening high and there are no other signs that seem life threatening, there is no need to rush for emergency help in the middle of the night.

[@evanherk]

@@CologneCarter well, it is rarely a true emergency but ear infections can be extremely painful. I don't begrudge the people who come to see us for that out of hours.

[@harrybruijs2614]

@@evanherk I am now 69, but when small had middenoorontsteking. My mother has sometimes tried first to cure it with some hot drops of hot oil !!!? But if that didn't work it was on the bike to the huisarts who pricked the eardrum and send you home with eardrops. Bruiswater I think it was peroxide. I don't think that's done today, at least not the hot oil. It was a different time then, the modern Pharma was in it's infancy.

[@SwirlingSoul]

When I was seriously screaming in pain with a kidneystone (didn't know that yet) and my hubby called our doctor, the assistant on the phone could hear me.... The doctor was there within ten minutes. While she was here, the shard of a stone passed...and I calmed down... she had my urine tested, (blood) so kidneystone suspected. But the fact she was there within ten minutes...that is just awesome, without having to call an ambulance. She earned my trust.

[@lonneketomas1200]

And it makes healthcare cheaper for everybody. An ambulance costs way more monney than a visit of a GP

[@DanaTubetestik]

Hi twin!

[@jujuba9277]

@@lonneketomas1200 precisely! cheap healthcare is very important…😳

[@rodneydowney2561]

The most outstanding feature of the Dutch medical system that I as an American expat have noticed is that the Dutch system is focused on preventative care. At age 75, I receive quarterly examinations for diabetes and blood pressure, biannual dermatology exams, bimonthly teeth exams and cleanings from both a general care dentist and a periodontist, and every two years a colon cancer test sponsored by the Dutch government. Yes, it requires a lot of trips to the doctor, but they are inexpensive (usually 30EUR or so), and I'm confident of my excellent health condition. In contrast, my brother who lived in the US died of colon cancer after ten years of painful chemotherapy. Had he had this level of preventative care, he might still be alive.

[@corneliusantonius3108]

Thank you for your story.

[@husher5142]

honestly that amount of testing sounds exhausting haha. I go to the dentist 3x a year for cleanings and that seems like a bit much (trying to stop molars from bleeding, recovering from a 5 bone loss). That being said had I had the bi-annual visits I probably would not have had bone loss in the first place.

[@melissakuipers7034]

Interesting

[@ashleighsparkle8810]

It’s not the same In other euro countries so be thankful.

[@pewashu]

The US healthcare system is great at preventative healthcare and do not just focus on the older population. With your, those screenings are normal in the US. If the patient actually follows through with doctor recommendations then outcome is better. Your brother, I don’t know how often he sees an MD, or does his screenings, a primary care physician will tell you the screenings that you will need at a certain age, and based on your time, they will setup a time for you either to do blood work or refer you to a specialist if needed. What happened to your brother is unfortunate, but we don’t know the context of how he used the healthcare system in the US. So you can’t generalize

[@WeasolVonDiesel]

Dutch GP: Take a paracetamol and come back if your symptoms get worse. I rarely have to go back. The human body is a wonderful healing machine if you treat it right.

[@Vidar33]

@L M Even more so since antibiotics only work against bacterial infections, and flu is caused by a virus. Prescribing antibiotics against the flu is straight malpractice.

[@moladiver6817]

@@Vidar33 And yet it's very normal practice in many countries. I'm Dutch and moved to SE Asia and here they'll prescribe antibiotics for almost anything. I refused to take them several times. I read similar reports from the US. People are getting antibiotics over quite regular viral infections. As long as you don't get any of the rare side infections a paracetamol really is the best drug you can take. Unfortunately sitting out the ride doesn't seem to be the most prevalent treatment in the world. People just expect to get pills when they're sick and that's just crazy.

[@Vidar33]

@@moladiver6817 No wonder antibiotics are losing their effectiveness.

[@ellajong1]

@L M AB doenst help with a flu (influensa) which is a viral infection, I sure hope most GP's know that by now

[@djokealtena2538]

Plus a good bowl of chickensoup/broth tends to work magic

[@rehurekj]

I think most of it is just the general difference between European/ public service based v American/ profit oriented& customer based approach towards health and medical stuff. Based on my experience with UK and Czech system they arent so different in most cases and in their attitude and treatment of patients from what i hear about the Dutch one

[@husher5142]

We (Canada) similarly gate keep our specialists and honestly I think its a giant waste of resources. Japan's system is better imo

[@vnesje1981]

I got so upset that I didn’t get more medicine after my emergency C-section. But If I was medicated I wouldn’t have noticed I got an infection. So I appreciate it now and I learned to listen more to my body and describe pain and discomfort better to doctors

[@husher5142]

I find its really important to write symptoms down and then hand that to the doctor .. so you dont get caught up and forget stuff. Or they go off on a tangent and you dont mention it for one reason or another.

[@joopspeth6483]

The biggest difference is of course: the system is for everyone! No one is uninsured.

[@Wuppie62]

Exactly. And it's - relatively - very affordable for all, unlike in the US. Our government subsidies people with the lowest incomes and those who are on welfare. Children under 18 year old are insured with their parents' insurance, for free! And no, we are not commumists. :)

[@WeasolVonDiesel]

Try to imagine Breaking Bad taking place in the Netherlands. Start of the first episode. "Sir, you have cancer. We'll try our best to cure you!" End of the show.

[@karinland8533]

@@WeasolVonDiesel LOL

[@allws9683]

@@WeasolVonDiesel 'Our best cure to you' is relative, I think. Years ago a relative got cancer and got a chemo therapy treatment. shortly before she had taken an more expensive health insurence 'polis'. If she would not have had that better insurance she would have needed an 'eigen bijdrage' (contribution) for the treatment ! How much 'own contribution' would be needed for a €36.000 chemo treatment ? 🙄. I reckon when you have a basic policy, with limited covering, you might get help with a cheaper treatment only ... (btw. There was a discussion with the healt insurance company, if she knew about the disease at the moment she took the insurance policy. If so there could have been problems with payments of her treatment )

[@Dutch3DMaster]

@@allws9683 I am not 100% sure but, the eigen bijdrage is limited to a certain price point I think just like your own risk is...

[@WeasolVonDiesel]

Those US drug commercials always baffle me! Painkillers cause more pain than relief in the long run, albeit in other ways.

[@timnewman1172]

So many opiate addictions are caused by prescribed pain medications!

[@harrybruijs2614]

There are still some courtcases in the US against Wallmart and Pharmacompanies, because of deliberatly cheating.

[@RookieAssassin]

@@timnewman1172 I also had an opiate addiction though and I'm Dutch. I got perscribed oxycodon and fentanyl for the pain after I got cancer and I was only 15/16. I didn't even know they were opiates and so bad for you, I just got them when I was in a lot of pain. Only found out years later when a clinic said I had an opiate addiction and I had to quit.. I still don't get why they gave me opiates when I was still so young. I remember how I had the worst hallucinations and sleep paralysis and it constantly felt like I was dreaming. No child or adult should feel like that.. Healthcare is overall very good in the Netherlands but it's definitely not perfect and it depends on which hospital/doctor you go to. Some just want to get it over with and perscribe whatever, not caring about it. And some (students mostly) treat you as their guineapig..

[@ashleighsparkle8810]

No, painkillers give relief to chronic pain sufferers.

[@Paulagoulart2]

I’ve watched a lot of videos about the health system in the Netherlands but none of them so complete as yours! Thank you so much!!

[@ytube1990]

Can't thank you enough for your expat friendly informational videos! keep up the good work. :)

[@JoviesHome]

Glad you like them!

[@kodomotachi1]

Thank you for these very informational videos, Jovie. It makes a world of difference to know how systems work.

[@JoviesHome]

Glad you think so!

[@astridteeuw2374]

Being Dutch, I think you explained the system very well. As you say: communication is key. Sometimes a doctor makes a decision I don't understand, than I ask. But an open question into why is something different than demanding the doctor to change his/her decision. Being in my early 50's and having a chronic illness I have always been very pleased with the care given by my huisarts and by specialists.

[@berta.9912]

stel je niet aan .

[@megasay]

Something you didn't mention is that international students with the sole intention of moving here to study (no bijbaan) can skip out on National Insurance and take out a private insurance. Nice tip for international students because the private ones (for example OOM) are much much cheaper and have no eigen risico!

[@Hupjeflupje]

Indeed children up to 18 years are covered by the policy of one of their parents. When one of the parents has (or expects the need) for additional coverage with the add-on packages, many add the children to this parent's insurance. Also: braces and orthodontic treatments in general are not covered by the basic policy. So make sure to "upgrade" your insurance with a supplemental package (that does cover braces) when the children become teenagers.

[@koffiegast]

On the other hand, all other dentist treatments are free until they are 18. As an adult, dentist treatments are typically not covered in the basic insurance, so it is out of pocket or you have to get additional insurance.

[@ianwynne764]

In Australia where I am, it has to be something serious to be prescribed opiate based pain killers. I have been prescribed opiate based pain killers once. It was after major shoulder re-construction surgery.

[@yousnoerd]

Well I guess its still better then a shark attack right, mate? ;)

[@Dutch3DMaster]

I feel it's the same here. My dad fell down in the bathroom and landed on his ribs on the toilet bowl and was in a serious amount of pain. The ambulance crew noticed how the pain was so severe that he probably would be unable to walk downstairs towards the ambulance without an opiate based pain killer and gave him a superstrong one (and gave him to much of it by estimating his weight wrong, he mentioned the lights were all bright and contained beautiful halo's).

[@ianwynne764]

@@Dutch3DMaster When I received morphine after surgery, it wasn't nearly as entertaining. However, I gained a very good understanding of exactly why morphine is highly addictive. Stay well and safe.

[@Dutch3DMaster]

@@ianwynne764 The ambulance crew said some people did not respond well to it, and that the difference in response differs from people to people. Even though my dad noticed the lights being beautiful when being helped downstairs he later said it felt absolutely awful. As for addictive drugs doing weird things, I have sort of the same feeling surrounding recreational drugs which is why I refuse to try any of them. When I was 8 or 9 they were trying to find a drug that was effective against my epilepsy and one of the drugs they tried made me hallucinate: it caused the walls in my room to become alive and "hop" towards me while laughing like a maniac. Me being scared I hoped to feel safer being able to sleep in my mom's lap and went downstairs only to be able to see the walls coming alive even better for the lights being on there. It scared me shitless at that time and is the reason for not wanting to try something that could make me lose control and would have no real (or at least, user-applicable) substance to counter the effects should it go wrong.

[@mariadebake5483]

I got opiates based painkillers once, I have never been so ill in my life as after I took them. In this way we, me and my huisarts, discovered my allergy to opiates. I am not allowed to ever have them again.

[@lindaraterink6451]

A huisarts does do house calls, but he is not going to come if you are more then capable to come in his/hers office your self (with help). It is more for elderly, extremely sick or enabled people. So to be clear. Don't expect him to stop by when you have a cold, you must be elderly and show signs of pneumonia or something. It maybe differrent from doctor to doctor. 30 years ago when smalltown practices were not as large they would come more often for anybody and anything, but this has changed a lot especialy since they implemented the huisartsenpost. Before the doctors in a specific area would take turns on evening/night and weekendshifts. The local paper would tell you wich doctor to call when you had a night or weekend 'emergency.'

[@CologneCarter]

Sounds similar to how things were way back when and are now in Germany. I remember in the 1990' my two kids both kindergarten age and I were down with the flu. The real thing, not just some random cold. We all were running a high fever and felt more dead than alive. It was a real hassle to get a doctor to come and see us at home and make sure we were going to be fine with some medication, whatever that was. I don't recall.

[@MarcJagt]

Maybe additional info regarding the ARBO arts. (S)he is appointed by your employer and will work in the interest of your employer. Therefore it can feel that they are pushing you to get to work. Nevertheless, the advice of the huisarts/specialist is leading regarding when to go back to work and also which steps you might take. The ARBO arts can ask you if he may consult your huisarts/specialist. Be smart! When you refuse it, it can be seen as being uncooperative. This can lead to financial and job security issues over time. Your privacy must and will be save with the ARBO arts. Only those things that you explicitly permit can be told to the employer.

[@h.a.dejong192]

This last sentence is something that you need to keep in mind. You can restrict them from telling your boss details about your health. You can counter their "advice" to go to work full time by an advice of your own primary doctor. For instance you have had a hearth attack and you are discharged from hospital almost immediately you will receive an invitation to come to the "arbo dienst" for a talk about when you are going to work again. If you are looking good they will tell you go to work the next day. You will need a letter from your cardiologist stating what he thinks is possible for you. He is leading in your recovery not the doctor from the "arbo dienst".

[@ssebakijjemuhammed2607]

Hello miss jovie thanks for the educating people.

[@davevanbeers6944]

Also don’t go to the “huisarts” if you have been feeling unwell for a few days. Chances are that you will be sent back with the advice to take a paracetamol and come back if nothing changes in two weeks.

[@ganymedes62]

You can actually go to an emergency room at a hospital if you already have an underlying condition that the hospital is familiar with. I.e., if you're a diabetic and feel that something is wrong, you don't need a referral but you go straight to the emergency room of a hospital. I have a heart condition myself and when I think there's something wrong, I'm not going to call my GP (huisarts), but I'll call my cardiologist and make an appointment. So, basically, if you've already been seen by a specialist, you can contact him/her directly without intervention by the huisarts or the huisartsenpost.

[@bartrazin]

Nice! Ik doe deze in het Nederlands ik weet ben lui! Een aantal jaren geleden sneed ik in mijn hand met een slijptol bloeden deed het niet wel heel veel pijn. Bij de eerste hulp kwam een verpleger en die zei dat ik beter een dag eerder had moeten komen toen was het rustig(vond dat wel grappig). Hij gaf me wel een cocktail met onder andere Paracetemol en ik dacht Naproxen. Gelukkig werkte het na een tijdje maar het deed veel pijn. Het was wel gezellig in de wachtkamer met andere kneuzen die uit waren geschoten op het werk.

[@iamaloserkid]

our huisarts does do housecalls, I think. Luckily never have needed it. Another thing to mention is that many huisartsen only accept people in certain postcodes. So, a lot of the time you can't even get a huisarts outside of your town/city

[@Emdee5632]

Well.... otherwise it wouldn't be a huisarts ( home physician ).

[@yourealittlebitfat4344]

HUIS arts. duh

[@InWeCome]

even a 20 minute bike ride within the same city will leave you outside the postal code coverage of most huisartsen

[@EJBruin]

For children regular dental is included in the basic insurance, though no orthodontics. Adults need a supplementary insurance for dental.

[@mrpddnos]

It’s good to know that your mobile phone does not actually call the emergency number you enter. What it does is recognize that you entered an emergency number and tells the nearest cell tower that an emergency call is being placed and your call is routed to the 112 center (or 911, 999 etc). This means that when you’re in the Netherlands and in an emergency situation you forget the number 112 and call 911, you will be connected. This goes for 999 too. It’s the same in the US when you call 112/999 in an emergency or in the UK when calling 112/911. Moral of this is that you don’t have to worry about forgetting the number in an life threatening situation and you call you national emergency number. In 99% of the cases you will be connected. If your phone doesn’t receive the correct response from the cell tower it will then call the actual number you put in.

[@toaojjc]

Jovie you need to tell your current zorgverzekering you want to switch before December 31st

[@Daph909]

*Before January 1st. December 31st is the last possible day to switch, although after you've switched, you do get all of January to change your mind :)

[@mrpddnos]

Actually you can cancel your current zorgverzekeraar up to January 31st. But you have to sign up to the new one no later than December 31st. This is left over from the beginning of the “basisverzekering” system when the zorgverzekeraars didn’t have verhuisservice they offer today. All big zorgverzekeraars offer this verhuisservice now so most cases you don’t have to do anything other than sign up with the new one. They will handle canceling your old one. But if they don’t, you have till January 31st (as long as you ordered the new on on or before December 31st)

[@fvry402]

Dear Jovie, you started with 'doctor' = arts (Dutch). 'Dutch' comes from the word 'Diets' and Diets was the language that was spoken during the Middelages. The language was spoken from Northern France, Belgium to half way the modern Netherlands. There is still quite a literature in Diets, however the language is difficult to understand and only read by specialists. One of the most famous (worldwide) authors in Diets (1300 AD) was Ruusbroec (Belgium).

[@Roel_Scoot]

Nice and helpful video. I like to add to your topic about pain relief. Paracetamol is a good working pain killer if you maintain a good concentration in your blood. This means on a tight scedule take the pills. If the prescribed dose ís too low ask for more. If that is not sufficient , tell the doctor, you can get opiates but beçause of the addictiveness only if needed.

[@5erendipity754]

Thank you for the great video. I have a child with Down Syndrome and as we both have both EU and US passports, I am researching if it will be good for us to move to the Netherlands, so that with my taxes I will be supporting effectively a state that in return will provide a good care system for my son (as this is so expensive in the US!). I totally support your observation about the no-nonsense medical care over there (in Europe, in general). As a whole, we in the USA are generally over-diagnosed and over-medicated. In many respects, we are like spoiled brats that want to sail through life without any minor discomfort and - God forbid! - pain. I am Bulgarian by birth and arrived in Texas 17 years ago. Was astonished how often my American friends will tell me that their symptoms (to me - obvious cold or flu symptoms) were "ALLERGIES". :) When I ask if they have had tests done, 90% of them will tell me, "No, but might Dr said those might be allergies, and I am taking antihistamine meds for it." To my closest ones I braved to suggest that they might have a cold, because I have never seem so many - otherwise healthy - people to have allergies, before i came to the US... And yes, I treat almost everything in my house with Ibuprofen for pain :) , VapoRub and herbal teas with lemon, hot water with sea salt in a basin for the feet bed rest or colds, and the Sudocrem (the British swear by this Zin based rash skin cream). It worries me that the more medications we take, the more side-effects and other damages to our bodies might be caused. So, well done to the Dutch - their pragmatic, no fuss-approach is something I admire. If you know any agency or service for young adults with disabilities, could you please paste a link here? I will appreciate it very much. Thank you!

[@marcbraaksma6850]

It’s pretty accurate, well done. If you’ve pain, headaches, little fever, you can take a paracetamol. If you’re sure it’s bacterial, you might consider one day iboprofen, although the huisarts still prefer paracetamol.

[@martijndekok]

Going by what I've seen in American media it seems to me that in America: - people use heavy painkillers, a lot of them opiate based, where we use Paracetamol (or Ibuprofin). - Dentists knock patients out for relatively easy procedures for which we would just use local anaesthetic. - Cough syrup and nasal sprays make you loopy and have other side effects. Growing up the only cough remedies were Thyme syrup and Eucalyptus candy. For a stuffed nose we got nasal drops, which was just a saline solution.

[@JoviesHome]

Thanks for sharing your observations!

[@InWeCome]

i've had fillings done at the dentist without anesthetic. My dentist would ask if i want it so i tried without, it went well a couple times until one time it was very painful and i started using it again. They also tell me i could get an anesthetic any time during the procedure if it becomes too painful.

[@dudie5403]

My huisarts once told me I really should go see him earlier when I have health issues. I hardly go to the huisarts and when I have medical issues I usually wait and see if paracetamol does the job or not or to see if something goes away by itself if I take some more rest. So I didn't go see him for a cold which I had for weeks but when I had to see him for something else he noticed I had a cold and asked about.. got antibiotics right away. When my feet hurt I went to see him 3 weeks later when I couldn't walk properly anymore. "You should have come earlier!" I like my huisarts, he takes time for you and is open for your own idea's and sometimes does extra things. He once made a minor 'mistake' but a huisarts doesn't know everything and sometimes it's hard to figure out what's going on. Like when you say you are so tired all the time, it can be a zillion things.

[@RookieAssassin]

Ah that's nice! Listen to your body and don't be afraid to go to the huisarts, even for seemingly minor things! I hated my old huisarts, he didn't do anything and just didn't care. I feel like he didn't believe me either. I used to feel sick a lot but it was always something else like stomachaches, headaches, infections and he always just quickly perscribed something or said I should take paracetamol. I kept feeling sicker and sicker though, the medicine didn't work and he wouldn't even check my body! So I demanded he did a bloodtest and yes there was something wrong. Luckily, I had to go the hospital then and there was finally a doctor there who took me seriously and after scans it turned out I had stage 3 cancer.. If I waited a little longer, if I didn't ask for that bloodtest, I would've died at 15.. I guess he just assumed there wasn't anything wrong cause I was so young which is so wrong, many kids get cancer and other illnesses too, you should always keep that in mind as a doctor. I now have a nice huisarts though, I admitted that I'm scared for the cancer to come back so she's now gonna do scans and xrays to really make sure there's nothing. It's so comforting to feel like your doctor actually cares, especially when I've met many who didn't.

[@dudie5403]

@@RookieAssassin That's bad, lucky you met an other doctor who could help and who cares about your well being.

[@bentels5340]

Just one remark about what you said in the beginning about needing insurance before going to a doctor: of course for actual emergencies the emergency room will treat you, insurance or not.

[@Dutch3DMaster]

True, but you will be presented the bill afterwards, and it can be big....

[@bentels5340]

Sure, but that's not the point.

[@InWeCome]

@@Dutch3DMaster you don't have to pay the bill if you get an insurance after the fact, or if you don't have enough money. Because like Jovie says you need to get basic insurance for the past months you weren't covered as well, so you are insured retroactively

[@JoviesHome]

The first 1000 people to use the link will get a free trial of Skillshare Premium Membership: skl.sh/jovieshome05211

[@cristakampert8740]

In the past 10 years I have not called the GP practice, but just arranged my appointments online ;) And I am dutch, but never went home with 'just take a paracetamol'. I guess I never go when that is the only thing... I am always shocked when I see that painkillers are even on discount in other countries. Here nothing of that is allowed.

[@erikzurcher5528]

Every GP has 4 kinds of patients: 1. Patients who need attention, not really ill but in need of TLC. 2. Patients with a temporary malaise who will heal without treatment. 3. Patients who need specific medication as a cure. 4. Patients who are too ill (or old) to recover. No3 patients are what general practitioners are trained for, a relatively small group of patients.

[@JoviesHome]

That's a very succinct way of explaining it, thanks!

[@Cora68]

A reason to stay with the same insurance company: when I switch I have to give back my Lymphapress (for lipolymphedema) and apply for it again with the new insurance, which can take weeks if not months.

[@fermitupoupon1754]

I apologise for answering in Dutch, but it's easier that way. Je hoeft je lymphapress pas in te leveren als je een vervangende hebt gekregen. Omdat er medische noodzaak bestaat, heeft de zorgverzekering een wettelijke zorgplicht. Ze kunnen gewoon een factuur voor de overbruggingsperiode indienen bij je nieuwe zorgverzekeraar. Gewoon tegen de oude verzekering zeggen dat ze de rekening maar naar je nieuwe verzekeraar sturen en dat ze het ding terugkrijgen zodra je de nieuwe hebt. Wat willen ze doen? Ze weten dat er medische noodzaak bestaat, anders had een arts dat ding niet voorgeschreven en hadden zij hem niet vergoed. Ze weten ook wel dat je dat ding wel teruggeeft zodra je een nieuwe hebt. En ermee naar de politie of rechter gaan, dat kost zo veel meer tijd en geld dan dat het waard is, zeker omdat ze vantevoren al weten dat jouw positie eigenlijk de meest redelijke is. Dus de volgende keer dat een verzekeraar je bang maakt om over te stappen, gewoon op je strepen gaan staan. En als het ze te lang duurt, dan moeten ze je nieuwe verzekeraar maar gaan lastigvallen daarmee. Dat is niet jouw probleem.

[@michaellust]

Interesting. There's always pros and cons with every system. I as a Swede I am covered nearly 100 directly no + insurances needed. The rules for expats and so on are different and complex but much even there is covered. For refuges it's covered directly. But in the last 20 years or so more private initiative has started to come. The political system helped them and what we now are seeing that they are failing us with greed and unhuman behavior. This is going to be a political termoil about this in the coming years. On the other hand the governmental hospitals need to step up the game also to gain more public trust and efficiency. I realize more and more how fortunate I am living here. Being a diabetic, high blood pressure and cholesterol and on top of that I have asthma . I pay 15 dollar a month in medical bill for that. And on thursday I get my covid shut for free. Thank you again for giving me knowledge. 💯❤️

[@JoviesHome]

Thank you for watching and sharing about your situation.

[@InWeCome]

The struggle between privatization and public healthcare is one that will never end in our current economic system. The cycle happens like every 10-20 years here in the Netherlands: we privatize, modernize, and waiting lists become shorter but prices increase and coverage worsens. Until we get fed up with that and the government takes more control, healthcare becomes more affordable and accessible but eventually the system becomes too bureaucratic, outdated and slow and we need to privatize again.

[@alenygam6048]

I would like twice if I could! I like that you pointed out that the healthcare in the Netherlands is not fully public, but it's a mix.

[@i.tnashen]

One more thing to add.... the appointments are 10-15 minutes long at the Huisarts, and it is expected that 2 can discuss 2 health concerns at a time.... if there are more health issues, the "assessment" can schedule 2 appointments..... and when you call to make an appointment, they always ask why I need to see the huisarts... if it's really urgent(not een emergency) they will always find a 10-minute window for you.... communication is everything!!!

[@remizeeland3505]

Back around 1980 my huisarts Saïd to me: you have A cold. I can give you medication and you will be Healthy in 7 data. If i give you nothing your illnes will be Over after A week. So Choose. That lesson still rings a Bell!

[@MrEric1947]

In the 1970s and 80s you were given paracetamol for most kinds of pain. Pain is a topic Dutch doctors don't really like to discuss and it is only recently that nurses in hospital have started to ask the standard question "'how would you rate your pain on a scale of 1 to 10?" Of course you don't want to prescribe an overly strong pain medication but it is up to the patient to rate the degree of pain as this cannot be independently measured. The whole topic of addiction is also mispresented since if you're careful and know what you're doing you can pop an opioid pill now and then , as some doctors also do, and never become "addicted", in the same way that controlled alcohol use doesn't lead to addiction. Oxycodon has been around since the early 20th century and after most operations you get it for postoperative pain. In my experience surgeons and internists and much less inhibited about prescribing painkillers, antibiotics when needed and sleeping pills than most huisartsen.

[@captainchaos3667]

Regarding the ARBO-arts it's good to mention that while they will tell your employer that you need to take so many days off, _they will not tell them why!_ That information is kept private between you and the doctor.

[@tarquinmidwinter2056]

If you happen to be a pensioner from the UK without a Dutch income (or am I the only one?), then you need to get an S1 form from the UK government. You can then get a 'verdragspolis' from CZ (no other company does this). If you have the basic package then you won't pay for it.

[@marccoppejans1046]

You should include the difference between a natura polis and a restitution polis.

[@LindaCasey]

I just recommended your videos to a newby in the Netherlands today.

[@fozzytheflyingmuppet]

The painkiller thing is also to prevent addiction. Something that has become a big problem in the USA. And to my experience Dutch vets make much more house calls than Dutch doctors. Even if you have to crawl to the doctor's office they won't leave their desk.

[@irisachternaam]

GP go on house visits every day, but only to patients who are more vulnerable, dying or unable to come to the office. In my experience during my rotations, they spend between 12 and 3 o'clock driving arounf seeing patients.

[@harrybruijs2614]

It is a bit more difficult to bring a herd of cows or sheep to the vet for a check or vaccination so he goes to the farm, but small animals you have to take to the practice. When it is neccesary every huisarts comes to you even during spreekuur, if it is a emergency. A huisarts doesn't expect you to come with a high fever and I personally have had the experience he came even in the weekend and had already phoned the ambulance, because we had that deal when I had trouble with my intestines.

[@prizzmhf]

I had hip replacement surgery. And literally got sent home 2 days after with 3 vicodin and paracetamol. While I know someone in the US who got 6 months multiple doses a day worth of vicodin

[@marco48471]

You need a new dokter . Our huisarts dokter comes if needed. No problem

[@alexeitje]

Hele fijne en toegankelijke en zeker volledig en uitgebreid qua hoeveelheid info - das ten eerste. Nou komen de aandachtspunten . 😉 1. PCM 500 - is de beste pijnstiller die er is met in achtneming van aantal bijwerkingen tegenover wat nihil is; mits juist gebruikt (constante bloedspiegel, dosering en frequentie = systemisch toepassing) zelfs in gevorderde stadia oncologie wordt het met goed resultaat gebruikt. 2. Bij groot aantal pijnstillers kan bij ongecontroleerd gebruik gewenning optreden; soms met blijvende gevolgen - lijkt op resistentie. En dan werkt het later als het echt nodig hebt niet of minder goed. En morfine is eigenlijk geen pijnstiller maar dissociërend middel. Dus altijd nog PCM en/of NSAD nodig als basis. 3. Bij medische calamiteiten buiten kantoor uren gewoon nummer van je huisarts bellen - meeste praktijken hebben dan een bandje aanstaan die jou door het proces begeleid, de juiste nummer bij elke mogelijke situatie geeft en soms ook zelfs automatisch doorverbindt met de huisartsenpost. 4. Nederlandse gezondheidszorg is zo ingericht dat capaciteit ervan is net voldoende voor alle nodige zorg en daarbij financieel haalbaar is. Om dit systeem in stand werkbaar te houden is er belangrijke rol aan de huisartsen (1-ste lijn) toegewezen - namelijk triage = schifting van de binnenkomende zorgvraag naar urgent en minder urgent, hierdoor zorgvragers die in 1-ste lijn horen daar ook te houden en op deze manier de specialisten, poliklinieken en ziekenhuizen (2-de lijn) niet onnodige werk te bezorgen. 5. Arbodienst is een service die door de werkgevers wordt ingehuurd (sommige kleine bedrijven niet) Alleen als werkgever vindt dat een werknemer een problematisch ziekteverzuim heeft of vertrouwd de hele situatie niet, dan word je naar bedrijfsarts en/of verzuim coach gestuurd. Verder heb je gelijk dat sommige zaken in Nederlandse gezondheidszorg en kwaliteit ervan discutabel is of echt traditioneel voor dit deel van de wereld ik kan het weten omdat ik verpleegkundige vanaf 1990 die in 1992 vanuit Letland naar Nederland kwam. Maar de nederlanders zijn over het algemeen een hele gezonde volk en hier heeft voor een deel ook het zorgsysteem positief bijgedragen. Ajb zie het niet als kritiek - gewoon een toevoeging vanuit mijn eigen kennis en ervaring.

[@Remcojohnson]

Hey jovie im 21 and dutch I think they make house calls if they know about your persanol situation. Housdocters are mostly there for the smal things like indeed a cold or a deep cut they cover the small things and they can dirext you towards the hospitol if you have something really big/bad

[@Bruintjebeer6]

They do more than you think

[@ngl9273]

Lekker plat Nederlands engels

[@Bruintjebeer6]

@@ngl9273 Hij deed zijn best maar had beter google translate kunnen gebruiken.

[@mrpddnos]

The huisarts does far more than “small stuff.” They know a little bit about every field of medicine. Have a deep, not life threatening cut? The huisarts is who you need to see. Had an accident on your bike and you can walk? Go to your huisarts. Have a high fever and are really sick? Call your huisarts. Almost all, non life threatening medicine starts with the huisarts.

[@demi3115]

you call end of life care ''light stuff''? jesus.

[@dikkiedik53]

In our town a new hospital was built. They made only one public entrance for the "Huisartsenpost" and the Emergencyroom. You have to make a call to the huisartsenpost normally and you are given a time to be on the huisartsenpost. When you enter that door you see a docter of the huisartsenpost first and that docter decides, you go through the left door to the emergency or you go to the right door to the waitingroom of the huisartsenpost. Also there is a 24/7 pharmacy in that hospital. Once I had a person with me with a real emergency. He had a cut in his finger that needed to be stiched, that was no problem when we entered without a call first. He was helped by the emergency immediately. I'm very satisfied with this new situation.

[@JoviesHome]

That is a good situation, thank you for sharing.

[@mrpddnos]

More and more Huisartsenposten are integrated in the hospitals. Many times when you call the Huisartsenpost you actually get an appointment for the emergency room if it’s clear you’ll end up there anyway. At some of these they even share the workload. When it’s very busy at the huisartsenpost you might be called into the emergency room but charged for the huisarts if it turns out the huisarts could have treated you. This because it was their choice to treat you at the emergency room instead of the huisartsenpost.

[@essie23la]

same, I've also gone to the HAP without calling before because I needed stitches and didn't remember to call (you know I was just like "oh shit this needs to be seen") but it was no problem. A call is preferable, but an emergency is an emergency :)

[@mrpddnos]

@@essie23la then it was probably quiet at the time. If they are packed they can absolutely tell you to call first. A cut non life threatening cut can be treated within 7 hours. So when it’s really busy it can actually happen that they make an appointment on the spot for you, an appointment that is literally hours later because it’s just far to busy

[@InWeCome]

I had exactly the same situation: pretty deep cut in my finger, needed to be stitched. I cycled to the Huisartsenpost at night and did not even know i needed an appointment. It was no problem but i had to wait for over 20 mins, putting pressure on the cut to stop it from bleeding too much. Eventually the finger was stitched by a very good doctor but i still wonder, how bad does it need to be before you call an ambulance? It required a minor procedure but with some haste. If i wasn't living in a city close to the Huisartsenpost i would have called 112.

[@Keijiko]

Really enjoyed to video! Just wanted to add, dental care also does not go through the huisarts AND you need a special supplementary insurance for it if you're an adult. However, for children dental care (but not orthodontics) is included in their basic insurance. Also, children are insured for free and do not have a deductible :)

[@Supreme-if6bt]

One of the best things for me here in the Netherlands is the way the 'apotheek' works. They are always available and are always open. Also you can buy medicines in supermarkets or 'drogisterij'

[@marco48471]

Not the so called real medicines. Only the lite one you can buy in the drogisterij. Like lite painkillers, paracetamol, ibuprofen etc.

[@asphalthedgehog6580]

I once had a disease that lasted for a long time, could still go to work though. After a few weeks went to the huisarts, and he had no idea. He hesitated and said: I could give you antibiotics. I said: without fever? Yeah, he said, sometimes you have to prescribe it to make a patient feel comfortable. But it makes no sense of course. Don't know if I really would have got antibiotics or some placebo. After a few days: better.

[@funkygawy]

Good overview. My observations based on my years here: - "Een klacht per afspraak" - i.e., one complaint per 10-minute appointment means that the huisarts never really gets a holistic view of your health. No annual physical - the assumption is that you're healthy, you have minor complaints, and nature will heal you. Good care when they kick into gear but you really need to take things into your own hands (at least that's what we found). The expectation, I guess, is that you see the doctor more often and that's how your doctor knows you - but you can go years without seeing your doctor if you have few complaints.... - Cost structure is totally different - your huisarts gets about 10 euro/month just for having you enrolled; most care costs about 10% list prices in the US; insurance is assumed and most providers never even show you a bill for anything - if it's against your deductible the insurance company will take it out of your bank account a few months later. So much better than the US. - Mental health is a real problem - long waiting lists for a lot of conditions (there was a young woman who chained herself to the health ministry in Den Haag last year, after being on the waiting list for nearly 3 years).

[@carimavandijk1091]

The mental health waiting lists really is a big problem, it's horrible.

[@harrybruijs2614]

My huisarts is not that rigid. He takes if needed more then 10 minutes and you can tell him you have more then one complaint and he doesn't say I have to make additional appointments. I don't know where you live, but dokters where I live take the neccesary time and are not fixated on that €38 every 10 minutes. And because he knows me almost my entire live he does have a "holistic" view of my health. The mental health situation has been getting worse the last few years, however when I had some problems a view years ago, I only had to wait a view weeks for outpatient treatment. Again I don't know where you live, so maybe it is regional.

[@evanherk]

yes. but you can make a double appointment, 20 mins on request if you need a bit more time. 10 mins isn't a lot and your GP will not be happy if you come with a list of problems. make another appointment rather than trying to cram too much in a slot. Note that we cannot bill appointments for more than 20 minutes so if you take up 30 minutes we are effectively losing money on your appointment. this is not a prime concern but if you repeatedly overstay your appointment this will cause some irritation.

[@evanherk]

@@harrybruijs2614 where do you live? I get 10.55 for ten minutes and 21 euros for a double. So does every GP in the Netherlands.

[@harrybruijs2614]

@@evanherk U heeft natuurlijk gelijk. Op de een of andere manier heb ik het oude tarief in mijn hoofd verdubbeld. Ik bedenk plotseling, dat de laatste keer, dat ik naar een huisartsentarief heb gekeken het nog in guldens moet zijn geweest, want waarom zou je kijken en als dat zo is, dan is het schandalig weinig gestegen. Toen was de zorgverzekering, ook nog anders geregeld dus was ik op dat moment geen ziekenfonds patiënt. I stand corrected. You are of course right. But still my huisarts knows, because he knows me, that when I come with a complaint it is not for nothing. And he takes the time, that's needed. That can be two minutes or 20 because if does know it by then it is really strange and serious. And sometimes he asks me to make a new appointment or to phone him after a week. But that ten minutes is not hewn into stone.

[@patricrolsma3361]

I think in The Netherlands they see the "huisarts" like a gate keeper for the health system like get the "easy" cases out of the way before prescribing more advanced care. Also an ER visit in The Netherlands is, last time I checked (2016) 250 Euro. I like the information you give very useful. By The Way I think that "eigen risco" is 385 Euro (right?), the government put it in there to make people aware of the cost of health care and not run to a doctor for every little thing.

[@bwzes03]

While Paracetamol is indeed the most perscribed mild painkiller and fever reducer, it is certainly not always so. Doctors here are mostly reluctant to give painkillers based on morphine, because of the risk of addiction. 15 years ago I had lumbago (spit in Dutch) which is an inflamation of the lumbar muscles. I got prescribed Diazepam (muscle relaxant) and Diclofenac (anti-inflammatory painkiller)

[@seawrightstudios]

There is no reason we should not be able to have universal healthcare in the U.S. It's all about priorities. The U.S. gvt only wants to give money to weapons contractors.

[@highs_and_lows4665]

In essence you are right, but if you look at the amount of $ spent per capita on health care, the US is leading all 1st world countries by a huge margin, even with so few having access to health care ( Netherlands second but a lot less). So if the us decides that universal health care is what they want, cost need to come down too!

[@HaKi1950]

I'm quite sure you shared all this with your father being a doctor himself. What is his opinion on the Dutch system having heard yours?

[@hansb57]

If you take dutch insurance check if they offer a "restitutie" or "natura" insurance. I'll not go into the details but check it out.

[@captainchaos3667]

The paracetamol thing is also a joke among Dutch people. 😊 Personally I like that attitude though. You shouldn't be telling the doctor what medicine you would like. That is their job. And I like the idea of not over-medicating and only taking what is actually necessary, letting your body heal itself as much as possible.

[@martinepeters9891]

I'm Dutch and broke my ankle in 3 places. I was sent home with a cast and paracetamol. It's bedtime and I'm in huge pain. But I'm Dutch. I'll carry the pain

[@fuglong]

​@@martinepeters9891 that sounds like ass lmfao, why is it like that

[@lindabroer8995]

Not 100% sure, but as far as I know there is a difference in the basic health insurance and that is which doctors you can go to. Not 'huisarts' usually, but for specialists it may be that your insurance has a deal with one specialist/hospital but not with another. Other health insurance companies give you free choice of specialist, but usually cost a bit more. It is good to keep an eye on though. Another thing to mention for the health insurance is the 'discount' if you accept a higher risk. So you have to pay your own medical bills up to an x amount by law. But you can choose to up this amount in exchange for lower health insurance costs. So if you know you can comfortably afford to pay say 800 euro's on medical bills and are currently healthy and thus not likely to get such a high medical bill in the first place, it really pays to get the discount. And finally, if you cannot pay for your health insurance (low income) there is a program to get help paying (zorgtoeslag). Also for a lot of other things we have these kinds of programs and it pays to ask which (if any) are applicable to you. It could save you hundreds of euros.

[@autohmae]

17:28 isn't this also how you get dependence (addition ?). Which I believe is a lot higher in the US. Even calling it a crisis.

[@naomisoeters9996]

Great video Jovie! I am Dutch and thought it was all accurate information, so probably helpful for expats. :) Also: my huisarts and also POH will make house calls if it's really necessary. (POH = Praktijk Ondersteunende Hulp: An in house specialist at your huisartsenpraktijk. They are either specialized in help with chronic diseases or mental health... If I'm not mistaken) Watching your video, I even googled the number of my own dokterspost/huisartsenpost and put in my phone: great tip! :D

[@ellen3131]

Don't forget the biggest difference: people here in The Netherlands don't go bankrupt from medical bills. You pay for insurance each month, you have your own contribution of €385 a year, max, if anything happens. You call an ambulance, you have surgery, you are in hospital for a week, etc. It doesn't matter. There will be no bill afterwards.

[@SuperDutchjohn]

Waar was jij de afgelopen 5 jaar?? Ik spreek niet voor mij persoonlijk, maar heb jij niet door hoeveel mensen de afgelopen jaren hun zorgverzekering opgezegd hebben omdat ze het gewoonweg niet meer kunnen betalen?! En om nog even hierop door te gaan, ik ben 100% gehandicapt, ik betaal dus elk jaar de volle mep, komt nog bij dat een aantal jaren geleden de belastingaftrek voor gehandicapten volledig afgeschaft werd, dat scheelt mij zo'n 8.000 euro per jaar die ik niet meer terugkrijg van de belasting, en LET WEL, die 8000 euro is de vergoeding die ik kreeg van het bedrag wat ik al VOORGESCHOTEN had!!!!

[@skyver3807]

zorgverzekering opzeggen is niet mogelijk en zou het laatste moeten zijn wat je niet betaald echt een broodje aap ,zelf ook al paar jaar eigen risico moeten betalen is zeer makkelijkte doen en heb zelf minimum loon in een vrije sector maar waar tf betaal jij 8k voor? kan letterlijk niks bedenken wat zoveel kost en niet gedekt word door de verzekering bhalve misschien als je vervoer 16x per week gebruikt om 50km te reizen maar anders klopt er weinig van

[@Pyltje03]

For the huisartsen post....just Call the normal huisarts...the automessage Will tell you the number

[@Dutch3DMaster]

Not all do that. Mine has a tape mentioning it's outside office hours and if it's an emergency you can press a button in the menu that switches you through to (I guess) 112, but I'm not sure.

[@ronaldderooij1774]

Going to your GP for psychological treatment referral is needed for GGZ care. You can also go to a (non-GGZ) private councillor for psychotherapy without consulting your GP, but check out your insurance first if that is insured!

[@Enpointe4]

As someone with lots of GGZ experience: if you see a counselor without a referral, that is outside of the health care system so not covered by insurance. The exception may be certain alternative practitioners, they may be covered through a supplemental package (but only certain kinds, check your policy and the practitioners' credentials). If you want to see a mental health professional and have it covered by insurance, you need a referral. This goes for the big institutions as well as the private practice therapists. :)

[@ronaldderooij1774]

@@Enpointe4 My information is different. For GGZ, always a referral from the GP necessary. For private practitioners, no referral needed IF, and only IF your insurance agrees.

[@Enpointe4]

@@ronaldderooij1774 Really? I haven't heard of that! Out of curiosity, which insurances offer that, and what are their conditions for that?

[@JolandaVanDordrecht]

@@ronaldderooij1774 you can also go to a private practisioner when youre insurance doesnt cover. The only thing is that you have to pay for it yourself. But most people cant or doesnt want to pay thereselfs so they go to a private practioner that have a contract with the insurance or to the GGZ. But if you dont mind that you have to pay yourself you can go to whoever you want 😉

[@ronaldderooij1774]

@@JolandaVanDordrecht Yep, indeed.

[@pebertje]

Hi Jovie, i'm curious.... what's the difference in price when you compare a Dutch basic package to an American, comparable, package.

[@ganymedes62]

I think I can answer that question. An average price here for a Dutch basic package is about $140 per month. That's already dead cheap from what I've heard from friends in the US. Now, depending on your actual income, the government will compensate you and you may up paying only $40 per month.

[@wonderwoman3078]

I live in Romania and everything that you say is so relatable haha. We have exactly the same system.

[@NiinaW]

I used to have a pluspackage for my health insurance just so I could see a physical therapist without referal, however the costs of this barely outweight the benefits. If I used my 10 appointments I would get with insurance I would pay the same on extra insurance as I would have payed for the appointments. But physical therapy was the only reason for me for a plus package. Mental health is in basic just like any type of necessary surgery. When I saw the hospital bill after surgary on my broken clavicula I was so shocked by the amount, but it was all insured in basic insurance so nobody had to be worried about it. With insurance however you still have the own risk portion of a set amount of money you do have to pay before insurance kicks in. This is used for any medical specialist help or medication.

[@Rob-yj9ew]

I thought that if you want to change health insurance, you have to do that before the 1st of Januari 00:00H and most people change in December. If you need a referral to a specialist, you also can phone your huisarts and he/she will sent it to you by mail or you can just pick it up.(at east with my huisarts.)

[@Dutch3DMaster]

My home physician does not necessarily make house calls, when I was experiencing a serious stomach flu that made me unable to walk upright they still made me see me there (it turns out they were thinking about kidney stones). When I was there and the home physician examined me I was sent off to the huisartsenpost and upon coming in was sent in to the ER (again because after hearing what the home physician suspected me to have they decided to go the fast route immediately). It's only when someone has stopped being able to walk it's when they start visiting you at home. As for good and bad doctors: my experience for the most part has been good with home physicians, but some specialists were total a-holes. And then there is my personal experience of home physicians having a reasonably frightening limited knowledge of biology and asking me when my voice is going to change due to taking female hormones :P. That part at 19:50, I saw someone refer to it as "Home physician will give you advice on taking paracetamol and take days off from work, or basically saying "If you are still puking your guts out in the upcoming 2-3 days after this appointment then yea definitely give me a call because then we need to look into things." :P

[@darinakalinova2180]

Ok fully agree antibiotics are not needed all the time. Last time I had one is 7 years ago and then like 15 years ago. I love the fact you can have your homeopathic doctor. And the comments about painkillers Jovi full agreement. Masking pain is not the best approach. Dutch health care is good the doctors will listen if you have real issues. I have never needed to discuss my cold with my doctor as I cure that my self but when I needed surgery I got offer of robotic. Which is great.

[@JoviesHome]

I'm so glad you've had good experiences.

[@stepheng9607]

Fascinating video as always. Thanks. How are vaccination programmes organised? In England (not sure about the other UK nations), they are mainly done through the GP or family doctor. The Covid vaccination is being rolled out nationally and you either book via a vaccination centre or you will be contacted by your GP. With other national vaccination programmes such as Flu, you are contacted by your GP. They will also do holiday vaccinations.

[@sirtuffskull9387]

Here in the netherlands it's not that different. Flu shots are done by the GP(huisarts). The covid vaccination roll out is by invitation only so you get a letter from national health service you make an appointment with the vaccination center that is appointed to you and then you get your vaccination. For shots when you want tobtravel abroad (hepatitis etc.) That differs some GP might do it but mostly you make an appointment with your local office of the national health service(GGD as it's called here) for said shots.

[@Species6079]

About having a reference from a huisarts for seeing a specialist, that is not the case when you're chronicle ill. I'm diabetic and I rarely see my huisarts. I always get my appointments directly from my hospital. When I need to see another specialist, I get a reference from my attending physician in my hospital and my huisarts is not involved. Though he will be informed.

[@Frazec_Atsjenkov]

Being Dutch, I typically don't visit my huisarts for a regular cold/flu. In my experience, these things take care of themselves. When I do visit the huisarts I've always received the medical care that I needed. There is one exception which is mental health, I feel the Dutch system is not very proficient at addressing mental health problems. But of course, this is still a field of medicine in which there are many unknowns. Generally, I am also not in favor of the American attitude to mental health. Where there seems to be a: medicate first, ask questions, later policy.

[@NickyBouwers]

Regular dental care is also covered for children, also when their parents only have a Basisverzekering

[@luinpuin4152]

The biggest mistake was to commercialize our healthcaresystem. It made care more exspensive and driven up waiting times. Nowadays a surgeon rather does 4 hip operations instaed of one hernia ops. Brings him more money at the end of the day. People in the border regions often go to Belgium or Germany

[@Tarquin2718]

You are so detailed! Fantastic. Greets from Utrecht 🙂 Amazing medical system in NL, but I got painkillers for my jaw operation eazypeazy

[@MarijkeWillemsen990]

If you have a pre-existent condition, you want a plus package and change your insurer, best is to inform about their acceptance policy for the plus package.

[@alandrahartmann6437]

My husband works for a Dutch company and I have a chronic pain condition that “pain is a signal” is not going to cut it. I am on medications that I NEED in order to function for the last 10 years. We may have to move to AMS and I told him that I will not go if this is going to be a issue

[@ayellessnuffelhoek]

I'm Dutch, chronically ill. I NEVER use antibiotics, only when I really need to. Tylenol aka paracetamol doesn't work for me, I can't use NSAIDS (kidney issue), and I only use heavy painkillers at night (oxycodon) because they take the edge of my daily pain so I can sleep. If you don't get a "high" it's not addictive. I have read many studies, incl oncology studies. I started 6 years ago while I had an emergency open abdomenal surgery twice, I barely used my painpump. But the nerves were cut and had many complications, and nothing worked. Painteam couldn't help me anymore. IF I get admitted they know my pain is to the roof. But regular docs have no clue. I'm that kind of zebra...

[@berta.9912]

Kalm blieven .

[@ayellessnuffelhoek]

@@berta.9912 nee, het is om pissig van te worden.

[@berta.9912]

@@ayellessnuffelhoek Muil houden.

[@ayellessnuffelhoek]

@@berta.9912 excuse et moi. Stfu met je muil. Raar wijf.

[@berta.9912]

@@ayellessnuffelhoek wel potveredommekes maak tante berta nu niet boos he !

[@koffiegast]

Some additional insurance information (I used to work at a health insurance company). - Your request for a 'basic' health insurance policy (basisverzekering) cannot be denied by the insurer. All of the policies are the same for basic health insurance (government controlled). The companies, however, are allowed to deny you additional coverage ('plus' 'extra' 'full' or whatever they market it as), but they can also allow you to take additional coverage even if you don't have a basic insurance with them. Hence health insurance companies compete on price and service as well as the additional coverages (typically they differ in eye-care/dentist/homeopathic/physiotherapy). - You don't want to not get health insurance. Trust me. They will find you and you will pay. Dearly. As a tourist you are in a much more lenient position, fortunately, but as a Dutch citizen you can get in some shit. - If you want to change insurance, you must do so before January 1st. Typically people do this in December, after most insurance companies have shared their policies+prices for the new year. It is however technically possible to switch during the year: cancel your health insurance with a 'proof' that you will migrate abroad, and then return the same year. As one can expect, these are very rare cases. Additional coverage is possible but depends on the policy. Evidently, you can typically not take out additional coverage for a week for a particular treatment, but you can take on additional coverage for a year (costing 200-300 euro) when you may expect additional medical costs (e.g. having to fill a few holes at the dentist, which may cost more than 300). - There are many health insurance LABELS/POLICIES but very few insurance companies. The big 4 (Achmea, CZ, Menzis & VGZ) control about 90% of all insurance, but they each have many different labels. The reason why is mostly marketing. For example, 'Promovendum' 'insurance for highly educated people' is actively marketing them to said group with the idea that these people tend to cost the insurance less and are more risk-averse. Besides those 4, DSW is among the 'big' ones with only one insurance policy. Websites such as independer are not independent as the insurance companies have to pay to be listed (and it is not as cheap as you'd expect). - Various labels allow for company policies to insure employees. This can save you some money, with the benefit of the health insurance getting more people insured. You can of course choose to get insured with a different health insurance company. - Kids are adopted by one parent's health insurance policy and all treatment is practically free till they are 18, including dental. After 18, medical insurance has to be paid, but typically kids stay on their parent's plan for years until they move out of the house and discover that they were still on their parent's plan. I vaguely remember this is allowed up to age 30. - In some cases, people are considered 'uninsurable' (onverzekerbaar). These are typically people that require a lot of long-term medical assistance as well as assistance in daily life. These people are managed by a 'zorgkantoor' (1 per region, NL being split among 36 regions) and these are 'adopted' by health insurance companies to assure that the policies are correctly enforced (Wet langdurige zorg, WLZ). There is a variety of treatment plans (AWBZ: PGB / ZIN etc) and things have in the past years become quite complicated and various fraudulent cases (I like to think things have improved since then though).

[@bonniepennock1528]

How does the Dutch system handle chronic illnesses? I had Ovarian cancer and in the states require frequent follow up tests to ascertain whether the cancer had reoccured. Would I still see the primary care doctors for them the refer me to a specialist with each follow-up visit or procedure?

[@MTGPLS]

No, you only need referal for your first visit to a specialist. After that, you are a patient of the specialist/hospital and deal with them directly

[@yehiaal-muqdadi3147]

hi Jovie , than you for the amazing videos it help me a lot, I'm planning to move to Netherlands and have a question is it wise if I transfer my electric kitchen utensils and using a converter because the difference in electricity between US and Netherlands ? and what else do you suggest to bring from US ?

[@JoviesHome]

Hi! Thank you! I suggest watching this video where I cover everything kzbin.info/www/bejne/gIiXf2ebr8inY9E

[@dior19801]

I commented earlier regarding a malpractice case. My partner was too late to discover that he had stage 4 lungs cancer. This is because of the unprofessional practice of his house doctor. After refusing to authorised my partner for a chest scan or CT scan and only prescribed him with 20mg of Codeinefosfaat Expharma for years. And when my partner called to complain the the medication didn't help. The doctor told him to take 2 tablets at the time and more often. I find this kind of practice is go against the warning on the medication box. It said not to use for over 2 weeks and not to use over the daily use at home. I have send many letters to the lawyers regarding this case. But no body response back. Is there any organisation to help control this? Or who should I contact? I will be very helpful. Thank you.

[@Brera011]

Children under 18 do have free dental care with the exeption of braces no matter what kind of insurance yo have. Some premium packages may cover braces also

[@Pannekoek.]

For someone who only carry's basic insurance you know more about the dutch insurance than most people in the Netherlands. I work for a big Insurance company in customer care and I could not explain it beter myself!

[@berta.9912]

wel potveredomme

[@paial]

As long as you do what the government tells you to, you are golden.

[@Brozius2512]

That's what laws are for.

[@nlbergsma]

Keep also in mind that when your medical expenses surpass a certain ampount you can, under certain conditions, get an income tax deduction, for medical issues that are not covered by insurance. If for example a lot of work has to be done on your teeth it can be cheaper to pay yourself for it and claim a tax reduction than to pay for extra dental insurance., But in general you have to be quite ill (or ill for a long time) in order to qualify for a tax reduction. But if so, the deduction can be quite substantial.

[@JoviesHome]

That is good information!

[@sirtuffskull9387]

When you have a disability or are chronically ill you are most likely to get the tax deductions.

[@JJahan-sm6uh]

Dutch Medical System is a cruel, ruthless and inhumane system. I live in the Netherlands for 35 years and I speak Dutch fluently. So I know what I'm talking about. The only job this so called "Huisarts" has is to make sure that the "patient" doesn't cost much for the Insurance company. The salary of Huisarts is paid by the Insurance company and they receives instructions from them to keep the expenses as low as possible. A simple food poisoning or appenddicitis might kill you, because you are not allowed to just walk into the emergency ward of a hospital. First, you have to call the Huisarts. I wonder why they bother to maintain Emergency wards in their hospitals, when you need an appointment to get in!!!???

[@Peacefrogg]

The referral thing is very annoying. I get it, you don’t want ppl to visit the hospital when they don’t need it. Still, sometimes you just know you need a specialist. Once, on the weekend, our daughter broke her ankle doing gymnastics. We called the huisartsenpost, the said we could come in two hours. We said we can’t wait that long, she needs an xray (her ankle was twice as big as normal) they said we had to wait. We didn’t. We went to the SEH (emergency room). They completely understood, we didn’t wait long at all, never got a bill. Sometimes you just have to listen to your heart as a parent.

[@Paul_C]

If you know what the system is, why then are you fighting that system. To me that sounds counterproductive.

[@Peacefrogg]

Paul C yes why take your kid to the er with a broken ankle when she is in a lot of pain? We left the hospital, cast and all before the appointment at the huisartsenpost would have been. We saved her so much pain not hauling her to the huisartsenpost and letting the huisarts touch her ankle to tell us what we already know and give us the permission for something we would have insisted on anyway. It’s not fair. You should always listen to the rules the doctor’s assistent tells you. Be a good citizen first, a good parent second.

[@harrybruijs2614]

@@Peacefrogg In a case like that you don't need to call the huisartsenpost, as you have experienced, that's a real emergency. I once had a cut of 10 cm on my head, then I go straight to the hospital. You were right to go, I have never experienced it here, but I have heared some off the same stories. And mostly it is the person on the phone who sais it to you without consulting a MD.

[@Bruintjebeer6]

All insurance companies by law cannot refuse you but have to sell you the basic insurance. However, they don't have to sell you the extra insurance. You can have the basic insurance with 1 company and the extra insurance with another. But when you are chronic ill you have to watch out. Independer says it put the cheapest company on top but in reality they put the companies that pay the most to be on their site on top. They are not the best or the cheapest in a lot of cases. Same goes for google as well.

[@andreasklisch3695]

A scandal like they had in the US with Oxycontin would not be possible in most European countries.

[@Dutch3DMaster]

Oh it's definitely possible here, the Dutch program Radar or Kassa recently had a report on the overuse and overprescription of certain painkillers (and one of the painkillers mentioned is the exact same wreaking havoc in the US). Home physicians have repeatedly mentioned how one of the forms of regulatory oversight to control home physicians going out of their way to prescribe drugs someone might not need, or might not need in the dosage prescribed is just big enough to keep things sort of balanced, but that the border between things spiralling out of control and keeping things sort of sane is superthin. We have pharmaceutical representatives visiting doctors in The Netherlands just as well, and there has been a report on them years ago by Radar or Kassa just as well.

[@koffiegast]

@@Dutch3DMaster even if it does happen, I doubt it is anywhere close to the USA. The doctors/pharmacist only get reimbursed for the conventional medicine by the health insurance unless there is a very specific need. I worked for a health insurance company, and unconventional medicine or magistraal (specially prepared) is thoroughly checked (because it is a huge fraud risk, such as giving the same medicine but asking for up to 20x the pay).

[@Dutch3DMaster]

@@koffiegast It is a problem here, do not ever, ever underestimate the pharmaceutical lobby and the way they work. The only difference we have is that the system controlling that part of healthcare spinning out of control is just big enough to stop a superserious crisis from happening, but the line between that and keeping things relatively sane is small, there have been doctors pressured into prescribing certain drugs after pharmaceutical representatives noticed the doctors involved were not putting out enough of certain drugs prescriptions...

[@VampireSpork]

Really helpful video! Thanks! ☺️

[@alonshalit5778]

What if you are a tourist in the Netherlands and you break your arm running on the treadmill? What would the approx bill be for the treatment? Another possible visit: Or a visit to the doc for a cold, what would the doctor visit fee cost and for their paracetamol?

[@lw2554]

Having a good huisarts is REALLY important. Don’t hesitate to see more then one before you choose one...if he/she accept new patients. If something serious happens to you, cancer, hard attack ect...You will be treated very well even if you “only” have Basis verzekering.

[@dikkiedik53]

Most times here in the city there are 2 to 5 "huisartsen" running a "huisartsenpraktijk". I have no need to see the same docter when I need one. Most times the assistents know the specialties of each of the doctors and when you tell them globally where you come for. They make an appointment for the docter with the most knowledge of your problem. One of our former huisartsen was also the docter at the consultatiebureau. That was handy when our kids were at a very young age. :-)

[@johannaswart9537]

paracetemol and ibuprofen are to drugs you can buy in the supermarket also the cost of health care here and in the USA are differant

[@russhanoman6492]

Hey Jovie thank you so much for this vid! I am mostly healthy but have a crippling genetic disease causing me to be succeptible to repeated strokes in a fairly compressed timeline (3 strokes in the last 6 years including one while in Rotterdam).I fully eexpect to be living there in 1.5 years or so But often am seen by my neurologists and only by my GP maybe twice a year. I happen to know that there is the Leids Universitair Medisch Centrum which is the pre-eminient center for studying and researching tracking my condition in the Netherlands. From your experience how likely is it this at huisarts will give me the access I am looking for to them? My Dutch fiance tells me that everything will be fine and not to worry, but since you had some issues with the system, I wanted your opinion? Any help prior to my arrival for permanent would be amazing? ( I have been going there every year since 2010 with the exception of last year.)

[@ToonHermans18]

Hello, it is impotant to know that with your GP referral, you are free to choose where you want to go to the specialist and receive the treatment. That is a right you have. So if you'd like to be treated nearby, you could if the hospital is capable of doing so. If you'd like to be treated at the LUMC, you could as well. Just make sure you take an insurance policy with limited coverage that includes LUMC, or one with (almost) full coverage (of course emergency care is always fully covered).

[@prizzmhf]

Hi Russ, I emigrated to the Netherlands about 12 years ago now. And also had some pre-existing conditions. Best advice I can give is yo ask both your GP and your Neurologist for a copy of your medical records. Once you move here make an appointment with your GP asap and do mention its to discuss your medical history. Explain why you are currently visiting a Neurologist and give your GP a copy of your medical records. Your GP will assure these are added to the digital system. Make an appointment at the hospital ASAP, it took me 3/4 months to get seen by a neurologist and about another 6weeks to get an MRI. Don't be surprised if they re do all the test already done in the usa. They will need to pass a diagnosis for Medical insurance. If you are taking specific medications that you may need to build down bring enough. There is no guarantee that this medication is prescribable here. And there is a chance they stop certain medications. Like my husband has high blood pressure, instead of medication he was sent to a diatician and asked to lose 10kg before getting pressure medication. There is a diffrent approach to medicine in general.

[@clyubove]

So you mentioned that if you don’t follow the “recommendations” of the set system that problems may arise such as attitude. The vaccine topic. Are you allowed to refuse children vaccines and would they be allowed to register for school? I would love any info.

[@Danc571]

Great video! A couple questions. How much is insurance? not yours specifically, but a ballpark range. I was wondering how the costs compare to US. Also, what about people who can't pay?

[@JoviesHome]

Basic insurance is between 100-110 per month per adult. The deductible is €385 per year (but there is no deductible for visits to the primary care doctor). People who can’t afford insurance apply for a government grant. Depending on your income, it covers all or part of the amount. For example, university students pay €110 but receive €107 from the grant. Effectively they pay €3 per month for insurance.

[@Danc571]

@@JoviesHome WOW! Very impressive...and very different from the US for sure. Sounds like a far better system. Thanks for the info.

[@bentels5340]

@@Danc571 Just some extra info: - The basic insurance Jovie is talking about is the stuff that is mandated by the government, so all insurers have to offer that coverage - On top of that you can get extra packages (as mentioned in the video), which can vary from around €10 to €many, depending on what is in the package. Main difference is that the insurers cannot refuse you for the basic package but they can for extra packages. However, insurers having been paring down the contents of their extra packages for years, so most extra packages are hovering around the point of "what's the point?" Irritatingly though, dental insurance is always an extra if you're over 18, it's not in the basic package. - The deductible of €385 is the minimum, the maximum is €885. You can choose your deductible every year and the trade-off is more deductible, lower premium. So for example in my case I have confidence that in an average year my medical expenses that fall under deductible costs (as Jovie said, first-line medical treatment is always covered 100%) will not amount to €385, so I choose a higher deductible and pay less premium. Just to be clear, the deductible is a running total over the year, it's not per treatment or prescription or whatever.

[@metalvideos1961]

@@JoviesHome where do you get your 100 till 110 per month from? i have the cheapest basic insurance in the netherlands and i pay 127 euros.

[@xFD2x]

@@metalvideos1961 Google nog maar eens. Tussen €110,= en € 115,= zijn er genoeg verzekeringen. Ook zijn er verzekeringen die korting geven bij vooruitbetaling voor het hele jaar.

[@thecommonsensediet8619]

Nice video, thank you for sharing! Stay healthy and safe! 👍😊🍓