Health insurance deductible could be slashed by parties in Cabinet formation talks

The health insurance deductible could be slashed if the four parties trying to form a new Cabinet manage to cobble together a coalition agreement. The out-of-pocket costs individuals pay for healthcare in the Netherlands has been frozen at a minimum of 385 euros for several euros, though people can choose to pay a higher deductible to lower their insurance premiums.

The four parties political parties are considering how they can cut the deductible by half or more, the Telegraaf reported on Thursday. The PVV, VVD, BBB and NSC have struggled to form a coalition government since the November elections, but the parties either said during the election campaign or by the end of 2023 that they were in favor of reducing the deductible.

The four parties asked the Ministry of Health to weigh in on two different ideas they have about cutting the out-of-pocket costs, the Telegraaf reported based on information from sources. Ahead of the November election, 61 percent of Dutch people surveyed said they were concerned about their health insurance costs, particularly about rising premiums.

Controversy arose after in December it became clear that cutting the deductible had a majority of support in the Tweede Kamer, the lower house in Parliament. The question emerged that it was not clear how the Dutch State would cover costs in the healthcare sector without money collected from the deductible.

The Ministry of Health estimated that eliminating the deductible would eliminate six billion euros used to fund the Dutch healthcare system. Consumer advice organization Overstappen.nl said that would translate to an increase in premiums of 35 euros per month if the Cabinet does not cover the shortfall.

An estimate from the ministry suggested that it would cost Dutch residents a bit less, but still a hefty 300 euros per person per year, said Ernst Kuipers in December when he was still the health minister. This caused concern with several parties, like D66, SP, ChristenUnie and SGP.

Both the PVV and BBB ran on the issue of cutting the deductible altogether, as they see the deductible as a reason why people avoid visits to healthcare professionals. The VVD and NSC have been more cautious, because they believe people will begin to visit doctors and specialists more haphazardly, causing greater costs in the end.