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 2023, 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 other care in the personal environment
- 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
Good to know
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If you are unable to pay the excess in one go, prevent your bills from accumulating and contact us to request an extension. You will pay the outstanding amount in monthly instalments without extra costs. Simply send an email or call us on +31 (0)30 639 62 22 so that we can find a suitable solution together.
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Suppose you are seen by a medical specialist at a hospital, and this costs € 400. You have not yet received any other health care that would be covered by your basic health-care plan in that year. The compulsory excess for 2022 is € 385. This is the amount you have to pay yourself. The remaining amount is: € 400 - € 385 = € 15. We will therefore pay € 15 of the aforementioned € 400 bill. The excess is an annual amount. If you need more health care that is covered by the basic health-care plan in 2022, you will not pay an excess for that care.
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Suppose you have opted for a voluntary excess of € 300. You are seen by a medical specialist, and this costs € 400. You have not yet received any other health care that would be covered by your basic health-care plan in that year. The compulsory excess for 2022 is € 385. This is the amount you have to pay yourself. The remaining amount is: € 400 - € 385 = € 15. Since this amount is part of your voluntary excess, you need to pay this too. Your remaining voluntary excess is € 300 - € 15 = € 285. The next time you receive health care that would be covered by your basic health-care plan, the costs will first be set off against the rest of your voluntary excess.
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Some medical costs are subject to a personal contribution. The personal contribution takes precedence over the excess, and has to be paid first. The remainder of the costs is set off against your excess.
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You can log on to MijnONVZ (in Dutch) at any time to check the remaining amount of your excess, see the status of your claims, or to request a payment extension.
