Health insurance Netherlands when pregnant in 2023
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It’s a good idea to check your health insurance cover before or at the beginning of your pregnancy. There are namely extra out-of-pocket healthcare costs related to antenatal care. Some expenses are covered by your standard health insurance policy. For other fees, it is worthwhile to take out an additional insurance in 2023. Here’s what you need to know.
The best health insurance during pregnancy
There is not one ‘best health insurance’ when you are pregnant. Everybody has different health needs. Therefore it may be smart to compare different health insurances. You can do this with Independer.
With the UnitedConsumers ZorgCollectief you can subscribe to the health plan from VGZ, with a collective discount on additional coverages. The additional package Aanvullend ZorgZeker 2 offers good coverage for the most needed health costs surrounding pregnancy, for a sharp premium offering up to 20% discount. The extra costs for your premium are often the same as or less than your additional health costs. This means you may be cheaper off by taking additional coverage. Below, you can find the most important coverages in this package:
UC Basis Keuze + Aanvullend ZorgZeker 2
Important coverage during pregnancy and childbirth:
Complete coverage of deductibles for hospital birth without medical indication (€525,85)
Coverage of deductible for postnatal care up to €125
Complete coverage of maternity package (ca. €30)
€100 for a pregnancy course
€200 for lactation consultation
€80 for renting or buying a breast pump
12 treatments by a physiotherapist
€500 for a first aid or CPR course
Many other coverages apart from pregnancy and child birth
Wide choice in care providers: 70% coverage for non-contract providers.
Up to 20% discount on additional health insurance
€157,45
Pregnant in 2023: what does standard health insurance cover?
Everyone living in The Netherlands is obligated to take out standard health insurance. Not all antenatal healthcare fees are covered by this basic level of health insurance. On some occasions, you are required to pay excess fees. It can therefore be beneficial to take out an additional health insurance to cover these extra costs.
This overview shows you which health procedures are covered by your standard health insurance and which costs can be covered by taking out an additional health insurance.
Healthcare covered by standard health insurance in 2023:
- Obstetric care
- Medical prenatal ultrasounds prescribed by your GP, midwife or obstetrician
- Prenatal tests prescribed by your GP, midwife or obstetrician
- Antenatal care by your GP
- Physiotherapy related to pregnancy incontinence
- Birth at home
- Giving birth at hospital (with a medical referral)
- Postnatal care at home
Healthcare covered by additional healthcare insurance in 2023:
- Prenatal tests without medical referral
- Physiotherapy
- Antenatal classes
- Giving birth at hospital without a medical referral
- Rent/purchase of a TENS unit
- Maternity package
- Excess fees for postnatal care at home (including additional care)
- Postnatal hospital care without medical referral
Some medical procedures are always covered by your healthcare policy. Other procedures require you to pay a deductible.
What are deductible fees (‘eigen risico’)?
A deductible is the amount you are required to pay before your health insurance provider will reimburse you. In 2023, you are required to pay the first €385 of excess healthcare fees yourself. Once you reach this amount, all other costs will be reimbursed by your healthcare provider.
You can choose to increase your deductible threshold to lower your monthly premium. However, as you are more likely to have an increase in healthcare costs if you are pregnant, it is not advisable to increase this threshold.
Deductible fees
Examples of deductible fees during your pregnancy
- Gynaecological procedures (with the exception of obstetric procedures)
- Blood tests
- NIPT, amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling (CVS)
- Transport by ambulance to the hospital
- Postnatal medical care
- Medication
What costs do I have to pay for myself?
Your health insurance provider may not cover the full amount of all antenatal healthcare fees. This means you will have to pay the gap amount yourself, also known as the ‘eigen bijdrage’. Postnatal care, giving birth at hospital and prenatal tests without a medical referral are examples of these types of procedures. You can take out additional healthcare insurance to cover these extra fees.
Standard health insurance cover 2023
The following antenatal healthcare costs are covered by your standard health insurance in 2023.
Obstetric care
Obstetric care is covered by your standard health insurance. This includes antenatal appointments with a GP, obstetrician or midwife and giving birth with the assistance of these medical practitioners.
| Obstetric care | Included? | Deductible? | Own monetary contribution? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obstetric care during and after pregnancy | Yes | No | No |
| Blood tests | Yes | Yes | No |
| Medical prescriptions | Yes | Yes | No |
| Gynaecological assistance* | Yes | Yes | No |
Prenatal ultrasounds
All prenatal ultrasounds are covered by your standard health insurance if you have a medical referral from your GP, obstetrician or midwife. Examples include routine ultrasounds to determine the due date, and an ultrasound at 20 weeks pregnancy.
Since mid 2021, an extra ultrasound at 13 weeks is also covered by your standard health insurance policy. The vitality ultrasound is only covered if you have a medical referral. Appointments with your obstetrician to discuss the need for certain prenatal screenings are also covered.
| Prenatal screening | Included? | Deductible? | Own monetary contribution? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vitality ultrasound with referral | Yes | No | No |
| Vitality ultrasound without referral | No | - | €35 - €50 |
| First ultrasound | Yes | No | No |
| Ultrasound at 13 weeks | Yes | No | No |
| Ultrasound at 20 weeks | Yes | No | No |
| Additional ultrasounds with referral | Yes | No | No |
| Additional ultrasounds without referral and gender scan/ultrasound | No | - | €40 - €100 |
Prenatal screenings
The likelihood of chromosomal deficiencies can be monitored with prenatal screenings. With a medical referral, the non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) is fully covered by your standard health insurance. The combined test is no longer offered in the Netherlands, due to the low amount of mothers opting for this test.
You can still book a NIPT without a referral. Starting April 1st, 2023, this will also be covered by your standard insurance.
Follow-up screening
If either one of the tests identifies an increased chance of a chromosomal deficiency, it is possible to book in a follow-up screening. This includes Chorionic villus sampling (CVS), amniocentesis and advanced ultrasound examinations. The costs for these screenings are covered by your standard health insurance in 2023 but do require you to pay an excess fee (apart from advanced ultrasound examinations).
| Prenatal test | Included? | Deductible? | Own monetary contribution? |
|---|---|---|---|
| NIPT with medical referral | Yes | Yes | No |
| NIPT without medical referral | Yes (starting April 1st) | No | No |
| Chorionic villus sampling (CVS) | Yes | Yes | No |
| Amniocentesis | Yes | Yes | No |
| Advanced ultrasound examinations | Yes | No | No |
GP fees
You might visit your GP more frequently throughout your pregnancy. This may be the case if you suffer from pregnancy symptoms or because you require additional prenatal care. All healthcare provided by your GP is covered by your standard healthcare insurance.
Pregnancy incontinence
If you suffer from incontinence throughout your pregnancy, the first nine consultations with a physiotherapist are covered by your standard healthcare insurance. You will need to pay a deductible.
Giving birth
The fees associated with giving birth at home and at hospital with a medical referral are covered by your standard health insurance. If you wish to give birth at a birthing centre and you do not have a medical referral, your insurance will cover an amount of €236 per day (2023). You will also need to pay a deductible of €525,85.
Would you like to give birth at hospital but you don’t have a medical referral? You will then be required to pay a part of the fees yourself. The fees differ per hospital. The amount covered by your standard health insurance is €236 in 2023.
| Giving birth | Included? | Deductible? | Own monetary contribution? |
|---|---|---|---|
| At home | Yes | No | No |
| At hospital with medical referral | Yes | No | No |
| At hospital without medical referral | Partially covered, €236 | No | Hospital fees minus €236 |
| Giving birth at a birthing centre | Partially covered, €236 | No | Fees for birthing centre minus €236 |
| Pain relief during labour | Yes | No | No |
Postnatal care
Your standard health insurance covers a set number of hours for postnatal care. You are required to pay an hourly rate of €4.80 in 2023. This fee can be covered by taking out additional health insurance.
You are required to pay €38 per day for postnatal care received at hospital or at a birthing centre. This is only the case if you do not have a medical referral. This amount covers €19 for yourself and €19 for your baby. You are required to pay €19 for each of your babies in case of a multiple birth (e.g. twins or triplets).
| Postnatal care | Included? | Deductible? | Own monetary contribution? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maternity package | No | - | - |
| Postnatal care at home | Yes* | No | €4.80 per hour |
| Postnatal care at hospital with medical referral | Yes | No | No |
| Postnatal care at hospital without medical referral | Yes | No | €38 per day + fees >€137 per day |
Mental wellbeing during pregnancy
It is important to look after your mental wellbeing during your pregnancy. There is mental healthcare available for pregnant women in The Netherlands, known as a ‘POP-poli’. ‘POP’ stands for psychiatry, obstetrics and paediatrics. A team of medical specialists work together to guide you through your pregnancy and assist you with any issues. The costs for receiving healthcare at this centre are covered by your standard health insurance. You are on some occasions required to pay a deductible.
Miscarriage
This hopefully will never be relevant to you, but you do not have to worry about any medical costs if you have a miscarriage. The associated healthcare costs are covered by your standard health insurance.
Pregnant in 2023: what does additional health insurance cover?
Throughout your pregnancy, you will most likely have higher healthcare costs than usual. It is possible to take out an additional health insurance to cover these extra fees. However, not all policies cover the same procedures. It is therefore a good idea to compare policies to see what is included. For instance, check to see how each insurance provider covers the following most common extra healthcare costs during pregnancy.
Postnatal care
You are required to pay an hourly rate of €4.80 for postnatal care in 2023. This fee can be fully or partially covered by taking out additional health insurance.
Giving birth at hospital
The fees you need to pay yourself for giving birth at a birthing centre without a medical referral are €525,85 in 2023. The fees of giving birth at hospital without a medical referral depend on which hospital you choose. Without a medical referral, your healthcare provider will cover €236 of the total costs. The maximum costs of giving birth at hospital without a medical referral is set at €525,85 (2023).
Ask your healthcare provider if they have made any separate agreements with the hospital of your preference regarding healthcare fees. An additional healthcare insurance can cover all or a percentage of the fees you need to pay yourself for giving birth at hospital without a medical referral.
Maternity package
A maternity package is essential for giving birth at home, as it includes all the necessary equipment used during and after labour. Are you planning on giving birth at hospital? You are nevertheless still required to have one in case you end up having to give birth at home. If you have an additional health insurance, the costs for a maternity package are included and your healthcare provider will send you one free of charge.
Combined first trimester screening test
The combined first trimester screening test (‘combined test’) is no longer available in the Netherlands. This is because the number of mothers opting for this test was too low to provide optimum quality.
Physiotherapy
The costs for accessing physiotherapy during your pregnancy are only covered by your standard health insurance if you suffer from pregnancy incontinence or postnatal incontinence. Physiotherapy can also be beneficial throughout your pregnancy if you suffer from pelvic instability. You will not have to pay for these costs if you take out an additional health insurance.
Antenatal classes
If you have additional healthcare insurance, a percentage of all of the costs for antenatal classes will be covered. This also includes yoga, gym classes and having a doula. If you are looking at following an antenatal class, it might be a good idea to check which additional healthcare insurance policies cover the costs of the classes you are interested in.
Lactation consultancy
There are costs involved if you would like to follow breastfeeding classes or access help from a lactation consultant. These costs can be (partially) covered by taking out additional health insurance. Some healthcare policies also cover the costs to rent or purchase a breast pump.
TENS unit
TENS is a method of pain relief during labour. It can be used at home or at hospital. It is possible to rent or buy a TENS unit to use during labour. The costs associated with this are (partially) covered by additional health insurance.
Baby massage
A baby massage can be relaxing for your baby. Some health care providers cover the costs for baby massage classes in their additional healthcare policies.
Special additional healthcare insurance for pregnant women
Many healthcare providers offer unique policies that are specifically aimed at pregnant women or young families. These policies often cover one or more of the above-mentioned healthcare services. Always check to see which policy is best for your personal situation. Policies offered by healthcare providers often vary greatly in what they cover and what they cost.
Budget, in-kind and restitution policies
Do you have a budget or in-kind (natura) policy? Check to see which contracts your healthcare insurance provider has with the various healthcare providers close to you. If the hospital you wish to give birth at doesn’t have a contract with your healthcare provider, the costs may not be covered by your healthcare insurance.
Do you have a restitution policy? Then you have a completely free choice of healthcare.
Should I switch healthcare insurance providers?
If you are looking at changing healthcare insurance providers because you are pregnant, the best time to do so is in December. Most healthcare insurance providers announce their premiums, terms and conditions in October or November. This gives you enough time to compare policies and providers before deciding whether or not you wish to switch policies.
Your insurance policy period is for a full year. This means that you are covered from January 1st, 2023 until December 31st, 2023. It is therefore best to switch providers before the start of the new year.
If you switch policies before January 1st, your current healthcare provider will automatically cancel your old healthcare insurance. It is possible to switch policies until February 1st, 2023. You are however required to have cancelled your old insurance before January 2023.
Tips for finding the right healthcare insurance if you are pregnant
These tips can be helpful in finding the right healthcare insurance if you are pregnant:
- Compare healthcare policies. Compare different policies to find the best coverage during your pregnancy. This can save you hundreds of euros. You can easily compare providers and policies online, for instance via Independer.
- Make a list of your own needs. When choosing a (new) healthcare insurance policy, keep those things in mind that are important to you. Would you like to sign up for antenatal classes? Or would you prefer giving birth at hospital, even without a medical referral? Then look for an additional healthcare policy that covers these costs.
- Choose a different insurance provider than your partner. You are not required to have the same healthcare insurance as your partner. Your partner can for instance only have standard health insurance while you have an additional healthcare insurance. This allows you to be fully covered while keeping costs down.
- Don’t forget your baby needs healthcare insurance too. Your baby also needs healthcare. You are therefore required to add your baby’s details to your healthcare insurance policy within four months after birth. You don’t need to pay an additional monthly fee for your little one. You can read more about it here: Healthcare insurance for your baby.
Frequently asked questions about health insurance
Frequently asked questions
Will my current healthcare insurance cover my antenatal healthcare costs?
Most costs are covered by your standard health insurance, often without you having to pay a deductible. There are however some healthcare costs that are not included. It can therefore be beneficial to have additional healthcare insurance during your pregnancy. You can read more about it here: Standard health insurance and pregnancy.
Will my current healthcare insurance cover the healthcare costs associated with giving birth?
Your standard health insurance covers the costs for giving birth at home and giving birth at hospital if you have a medical referral.
If you choose to give birth at a birthing centre or at hospital without a medical referral, you will be required to pay a part of the fees yourself. Other additional costs (such as pain relief and postnatal care) may also be higher.
Which healthcare costs are covered if I take out an additional healthcare insurance?
These costs can be (partially) covered by an additional healthcare insurance:
- Fees for giving birth at hospital without a medical referral
- Prenatal screening without medical referral
- Lactaction consultancy
- TENS unit
- Physiotherapy
You can find a comprehensive list as well as things to consider in the table in this article.
Which healthcare costs during my pregnancy are covered?
Several healthcare fees are covered by your standard healthcare insurance, including:
- Obstetric care
- Physiotherapy related to pregnancy incontinence
- Medical prenatal ultrasounds prescribed by your GP, midwife or obstetrician
- Prenatal tests prescribed by your GP, midwife or obstetrician
- Antenatal care by your GP
- Birth at home
- Access to medical intervention during childbirth with referral (hospitalisation)
- Postnatal care at home
