Rising health insurance costs announced

The Netherlands' second-largest health insurer, VGZ, has said the premium they will charge for the mandatory basic health insurance package will rise between six and 14 percent next year. The firm offers three different basic insurances, which will cost between €97.95 and €113.95 per month. The company attributes the price increase to the Dutch government, which now mandates that insurers must cover the cost of some home nursing services. Add-ons to the basic package will tick up one percent. VGZ is not the only firm upping their prices for 2015. Unive customers will see their own prices go up by 11 to 12 percent, costing between €107 and €112 monthly. However, they are giving a ten-percent discount to first time customers. Like VGZ, add-on services will also go up by one percent. VGZ subsidiaries IZA and UMC will both increase their prices by nine and 16 percent. Health insurance firm DSW said their prices will remain the same next year.