The excess is an annual amount you have to pay yourself before any costs are reimbursed under the basic health-care plan.
There are two types of excess: the compulsory excess and the voluntary excess.
Compulsory excess
Each year, the government determines the amount of the compulsory excess. For 2021, the compulsory excess is € 385. It only applies to people aged 18 and over.
Voluntary excess
You can opt for a voluntary excess of € 100, € 200, € 300, € 400 or € 500 per year in addition to the compulsory excess. The higher your voluntary excess, the lower the premium for your basic health-care plan.
Excess: costs covered by the basic health-care plan
The excess only applies to health care that would normally be reimbursed under your basic health-care plan. You will never have to pay an excess for health care covered by your supplementary health-care plan.
In addition, the excess does not apply to all costs reimbursed under the basic health-care plan. There are some exceptions:
- GP visits, including integrated care
- nursing and care at home (district nursing)
- obstetric care and maternity care
- prevention programmes designated by ONVZ, such as programmes for obesity or to help you quit smoking
- medication assessment by a pharmacy or dispensing GP based in the Netherlands in case of chronic use of prescription medication
- travel expenses and follow-up checks for organ donors
- medical appliances on loan