Medical insurance
Beginning January 1, 2006 the policies applying to medical insurance in Holland changed. An insurance provider must accept you regardless of age, sex, or medical history and cannot charge higher rates based on this information. As of May 1, 2006 a policy provider should have been chosen and the terms accepted until January 1, 2007. Now everyone over 18 years of age pays for their policy. Children under 18 are covered with the same coverage as the policy the parent accepts.
If you have an income, you will also pay contributions amounting to 6.50% of your income up to a maximum income limit of €30,000. These costs will automatically be refunded in full by your employer. Self-employed people will be sent a payment demand by the tax authorities.
Some of the more well-known insurance companies in Holland are:
Zilveren Kruis Achmea (www.zilverenkruis.nl) - Explanation of policies in English
Trias (www.trias.nl) - In Dutch
The official changes to the laws on health insurance can can be found on this website:
http://www.denieuwezorgverzekering.nl/Zorgverzekering/(In Dutch)
Emergency numbers
In case of an accident or an emergency call the national emergency number 112. You will be asked if you need the police, fire brigade or ambulance. In most cases you will be able to speak in English although the call will be answered in Dutch. Emergency assistance can be provided at most hospitals 24 hours a day.
For other general questions not covered here and relating to health and health care, you can call the GGD Rotterdam Gezondheidslijn (healthline):
Visitors - Schiedamseweg 95, Rotterdam
Postal - PO Box 70032, 3000LP, Rotterdam
Phone - (010) 433 9933
Web - www.ggd.rotterdam.nl
Hours - Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm
Hospitals
Hopsitals are called Ziekenhuis and you will see the "ziekenhuis" generic symbol on street signs with arrows showing the direction of closest hospital. The symbol is a blue "H" on a white background, followed by the hospital name. Follows is a list of hospitals in the Rotterdam area.
Erasmus MC - Sophia
Dr. Molewaterplein 60, 3015GJ, Kralingen
Telephone: 010 463 6363
Email: info@erasmusmc.nl
Website: http://www.erasmusmc.nl
Havenziekenhuis
Haringvliet 2, 3011 TD, Rotterdam centrum
Telephone: 010 404 3300
Email: sich@havenziekenhuis.nl
Website: http://www.havenziekenhuis.nl
Ikazia Ziekenhuis
Montessoriweg 1, 3083AN
Telephone: 010 297 5000
Email: post@ikazia.nl
Website: http://www.ikazia.nl
Oogziekenhuis
Vasteland 12b, 3011BL,
Telephone: 010 240 0460
Email: oogziekenhuis@focuskliniek.nl
Website: http://www.focuskliniek.nl
Sint Franciscus Gasthuis
Kleiweg 500, 3045PM, Overschie
Telephone: 010 461 6161
Website: http://www.sfg.nl
Ijsseland Ziekenhuis (emergency)
Prins Constantijnweg 2, 2906, Capelle a/d Ijssel
Telephone: 010 258 5000
Website: http://www.ysl.nl
Finding a Doctor
Doctors are called "Huisarts" in the Netherlands. It is your first point of contact in the case of physical or mental symptoms. Specialist visits require a referral from your doctor and he must make his assessment to start this process. As a general rule, Huisarts will resist seeing you if you have flu like symptoms or colds. You can also ring the doctor during something called "spreekuur", which means consultation hour. Ask the doctor when the hour is, however, it may be best to make an appointment as you could quite possibly spend the spreekuur just trying to get through. Some huisarts also have an hour first thing in the morning before appointments, where you can drop in for consultation without and appointment.
Search database "Independer" lists all the huisarts throughout the Netherlands, enter your city and postcode and it will bring up all the registered practices within certain distances of your postcode.
www.independer.nl/Gezondheidszorg/VVHuisartsen/huisartsen.aspx
In case of emergency, call the doctor line 010 420 1100
When your doctor is on leave he will generally leave this number or a referral doctor that he works with for this situation. You will be billed in the normal manner from your family huisart in the normal course.
If you require vaccinations for travel, you can call the GGD Travel Clinic (Medisch Centrum Buitenland) for appointments (010) 433 9899.
Specialist care
In order to receive care from a specialist whether it be a Cardiologist, Gynecologist or nose, throat and ear specialist, or pediatrician what one first needs to do is visit your Huisarts to receive a referral known as a verwijsbriefje. This letter then allows you to make your own appointment with a specialist at the hospital recommended by your huisarts. In most cases, you will not be excepted by a specialist without this important referral letter.
Anesthesiologie en pijnbestrijding (Anesthesioloog) – Anesthesiologist
Cardiologie (Cardioloog) – Cardiologist
Gynaecologie/verloskunde (Gynaecoloog/verloskundigen) – Gynocologist/Midwife
Huidziekten (Dermatoloog) – Dermatologist
Interne geneeskunde (Internist) – Internist
KNO; Keel, neus, en oorheelkunde – Nose, Throat, and Ear Specialist
Kindergeneeskunde (Kinderarts) – Pediatrician
Klinische psychologie (Psycholoog) – Psychiatrist
Longziekten (Longarts) – Pulmonologist/Lung Specialist
Neurologie (Neuroloog) – Neurologist
Oogheelkunde (Oogarts) – Optomologist
Orthopaedie (Orthopeed) – Orthopedic Surgeon
Pathologie (Patholoog) – Pathologist
Plastische en reconstructieve chirurgie (Plastisch chirurg) – Plastic Surgeon
Radiologie (Radioloog) – Radiologist
Urologie (Uroloog) – Urologist
Pharmacies & filling prescriptions
Pharmacies are called "Apotheeks" and just issue prescriptions with some over the counter medicines. Your doctor will usually fax through your prescription to your chosen pharmacy. You can buy non-prescription medications, such as cough mixture and pain killers, at the Apotheek, any drugstore and Etos. Drugstores and Etos do not issue prescriptions. Herbal medications and therapies can be found at any health food store such as De Tuinen.
Finding a Dentist
As with finding a doctor, you can follow the same system. If you know a resident in your area, check which is the best practice is to go to, or alternatively if your company has a list of medical personnel. Failing this look in the Goudengids under "Tandartsen". If you have an emergency, and do not have a dentist, call the dentist line: (010 455 2155).
Dentists treat with regular checkups (6-9 months) and for acute problems with your teeth.
Physiotherapy
As of 2006, one no longer needs a referral from the huisarts in order to go to the physiotherapist or fysiotherapeut. It is, however, recommended to get a referral and reference from the huisarts if going to the physical therapist for the first time. Having this verwijsbriefje or referral will help when trying to make a claim with the insurance company. Many insurance policies have limits as to how many times you may visit the physiotherapist in order for it to be covered. A basic policy allows for 6 treatments at 20 euros a piece.
www.fysiotherapie.nl (In Dutch)
