Mandatory excess What is it and how does it work?
In the Netherlands everybody from the age of 18 pays excess with his or her healthcare insurer. But what is it, why and when do you have to pay it? Find out everything about the mandatory and voluntary excess.
The level of your excess
Wish to avoid financial surprises? Is your payable amount unclear? Log in to Mijn Zilveren Kruis and check the level of your excess. On the last page of the claims overview, you will find the amounts we still have to charge.
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View your excess
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What is the mandatory excess?
When you receive medical care you will pay part of the costs yourself. This is called the mandatory excess. The government determines the level of the excess each year. This year the excess amounts to € 385.
- The mandatory excess applies to everyone from the age of 18
- You will pay the excess as well as your insurance premium
- Applies to a full calendar year (1 January to 31 December)
- You use up the full excess amount before receiving a reimbursement from the basic insurance
- Never applies to medical care reimbursed from a supplementary insurance
Discover the difference between excess and statutory personal contribution
This is why you have to pay a mandatory excess
The government wishes to make everyone aware of the costs for health care. At the same time this allows the insurance premium to stay lower.
What is the voluntary excess?
On top of the mandatory excess you can choose a voluntary excess. The amounts you can choose from are € 100, € 200, € 300, € 400 or € 500. Just like the mandatory excess, you will have to pay voluntary excess first before the basic insurance reimburses medical costs. The voluntary excess also applies to a full calendar year (1 January to 31 December).
Also important to know
Medical care the excess doesn’t apply to
The excess doesn’t apply to some types of medical care, such as maternity care, a visit to the general practitioner or medical care for children under the age of 18.
Apply for a payment plan
Medical costs can be inconvenient. A payment plan could be a good solution. You can apply for one if you are behind on payments upwards of € 50. It’s completely free of charge.
Frequently asked questions
Why did I receive my bill for the excess so late?
Hospitals and independent treatment centres (zelfstandige behandelcentra (zbc’s)) can only claim the bill at the end of the treatment period. A treatment period lasts at least 42 and no more than 120 days. This is why insurers receive the bills much later.
Insurers negotiate with hospitals and zbc about the prices for hospital treatments. They can claim once the prices have been agreed on.
This year (midway) I will be 18. Will I still have an excess of € 385?
No. You’ll pay the excess from the 1st of the month following your 18th birthday. The amount is adjusted.
I was in hospital for treatment from December 2023 to February 2024. Will I pay excess for both years?
When you start treatment (dbc-care product) in 2024, the costs will be settled with your 2024 excess. Even if treatments stops in 2025.
Why do I have to pay my excess twice for the same treatment?
Yes, just like in the Netherlands you will pay an excess for care that is reimbursed from your basic insurance. The excess doesn’t apply to medical care reimbursed based on the S2 form. However, the statutory personal contribution may apply. The amount is the same as for the residents of the EU or EEA country in which you received medical care.
Does my excess apply to medical care received abroad?
Yes, just like in the Netherlands you will pay an excess for care that is reimbursed from your basic insurance. The excess doesn’t apply to medical care reimbursed based on the S2 form. However, the statutory personal contribution may apply. The amount is the same as for the residents of the EU or EEA country in which you received medical care.