What should I pay attention to when assessing my health insurance?
Choosing the right health insurance can be a difficult task. There are many factors to consider to ensure you get the best coverage for your specific needs. In this article we discussed the most important points to pay attention to when assessing your health insurance. From deductible to additional insurance, we are happy to help you on your way.
Key points
Consider how much deductible you want to take, as this could negatively affect your premium.
Look at the additional insurance and determine whether you really need it.
Always check whether your healthcare provider is contracted with the health insurer.
Let the policy conditions ensure that you are not faced with any surprises.
Compare the premiums of different health insurers to find the best deal.
Importance of Own Risk
Amount of the Deductible
The deductible is an amount that you must pay yourself for care under your basic insurance before the health insurer will reimburse the costs. The mandatory deductible is a maximum of 385 euros per year . This applies to everyone aged 18 and over. It is important to plan this amount in your budget so that you are not faced with any surprises.
Voluntary Deductible
In addition to the mandatory deductible, you can opt for a voluntary deductible. This is possible up to a maximum of 500 euros extra per year. If you expect to incur few healthcare costs, this can be a slim choice. In exchange for taking this extra risk, you will receive a discount on your difficult premium. You can choose from different quantities: €100, €200, €300, €400 or €500.
Deductible and Healthcare costs
The deductible does not cover all healthcare costs. For example, a visit to the doctor is not covered by the deductible. Certain care for children under the age of 18 and maternity care are also exempt. It is good to know which healthcare costs are and are not covered by the deductible, so that you are not faced with unexpected costs.
Additional Insurance
Types of Additional Insurance
You can take out additional insurance on top of your basic insurance. This insurance reimburses care that is not reimbursed from the basic package. Well-known examples are physiotherapy and the dentist. Your insurer usually reimburses a maximum number of treatments or a maximum amount. Some health insurers have a medical acceptance procedure for one or more of their additional packages.
When is Additional Insurance Necessary?
It is important to consider whether you need additional insurance. This depends on your personal situation and care needs. For example, if you often visit the physiotherapist or regularly need regular care, additional insurance may be beneficial. Make a list of your alternative health care costs and compare them with the costs of the additional insurance.
Costs and benefits of Additional Insurance
When choosing additional insurance, it is important to consider the costs and benefits of the roads. Additional insurance means that you pay a higher premium, but you also receive more healthcare reimbursements. Think about what you would rather do: additional insurance or not. Make an overview of the extra premium that you can afford and compare this with the expected healthcare costs that you will receive reimbursements for. This way you can make an informed choice.
Contracted healthcare providers
Contracted care providers are care providers with whom your health insurer has made agreements. This means that the health insurer will reimburse the full healthcare costs if you go to one of these healthcare providers. If you go to a non-contracted care provider, you may have to pay part of the costs yourself.
There are several advantages to choosing contracted healthcare providers:
You usually don't have to pay anything extra yourself.
The health insurer has checked the quality of the care provider.
There are often gaps in between.
It is important to know which healthcare providers your insurer has made agreements with. You can usually find this in your insurer's health care comparator on their website. Always check whether your healthcare provider is contracted before making an appointment.
Free Choice of Care
Free choice of care means that you can choose which care provider you go to. This can be a great advantage if you have specific preferences for a particular specialty. You are not limited to healthcare providers who have a contract with your health insurer.
You can decide for yourself which healthcare provider is best for your past.
More freedom and flexibility in your choice of care.
Possibility to go to specialized healthcare providers who may not have a contract with your insurer.
If you go to a non-contracted care provider, you will often only be reimbursed for part of the costs, usually around 75%.
You may have to pay extra if you go to an expensive healthcare provider, such as a private clinic.
Less freedom in choosing your healthcare provider, which can lead to less personal care.
Policy conditions
Importance of Policy Conditions
When choosing health insurance, it is important to read the policy conditions carefully. These conditions determine what is and is not reimbursed. They provide clarity about the coverage, exclusions and any personal contributions. By understanding the policy conditions, you avoid surprises later.
Common Policy Conditions
Policy conditions may vary per insurer, but there are some common points to pay attention to:
Coverage of specific treatments and medications
Exclusions and Limitations
Rules surrounding referrals and consent
Personal contributions and maximum reimbursements
How do you read policy conditions?
Reading policy conditions can sometimes be complicated. Here are some tips to make it easier:
Start with the summary: Many insurers provide a brief summary of the most important points.
Pay attention to the small print: This often contains details that can be of great importance.
Compare different policies: By comparing multiple policies, you can quickly see the differences.
Ask for help: If you don't understand something, don't hesitate to contact the insurer for an explanation.
Health insurance premium
Factors that influence the Premium
The premium of your health insurance is determined by various factors. An important factor is the amount of the deductible. The higher your deductible, the lower your monthly premium. Your age, place of residence and chosen coverage also play a role. The agreements that health insurers make with healthcare providers can also influence the premium.
How do you compare premiums?
Comparing premiums can save you a lot of money. Follow these steps to compare premiums effectively:
Make a list of your healthcare needs.
Use online comparison sites to compare different health insurance policies.
Pay attention to the coverage and conditions, not just the price.
Check whether your current healthcare providers are contracted with the new insurer.
Premium and Coverage
When choosing health insurance, it is important to not only look at the premium, but also at the coverage. A low premium may be attractive, but if the coverage does not meet your healthcare needs, it could end up costing you more. Make sure you find a good balance between premium and coverage, so that you are not faced with any surprises when you need care.
Service and Customer Satisfaction
Accessibility of the Insurer
A good health insurer must be easily accessible. This means that you can quickly contact us via various channels such as telephone, email and chat. Fast response times are crucial . For example, a response time of 1 minute via telephone and 15 minutes via an app is ideal.
Customer Ratings and Reviews
Customer reviews give a good idea of a health insurer's service. Pay attention to the overall score and read some recent reviews to get an idea of others' experiences. A high Trust Score, such as 9.0, is a good sign of customer satisfaction.
Service for Declarations
It is important that declarations are processed quickly and correctly. This ensures that you do not have to wait long for your money. Check whether the insurer has a simple online claims system and how quickly claims are processed.
Digital Convenience
Online Declaration
With the rise of technology, submitting healthcare claims is easier than ever. Many health insurers now offer the option to submit claims online via their website or mobile app. This not only saves time, but also ensures that you get your money back faster. The process is usually simple:
Log in to your health insurer's website or app.
Upload a photo or scan of your care invoice.
Fill in the required information and send the declaration.
Insight into Healthcare Costs via Apps
Many health insurers have developed apps that give you easy insight into your healthcare costs. These apps often provide an overview of your healthcare costs, your remaining deductible and the status of your claims. This helps you get a better handle on your healthcare expenses and prevents surprises at the end of the year.
Digital Communication with the Insurer
In addition to online declarations and insight into healthcare costs, many health insurers also offer the option of communicating digitally. This can be done via email, chat or even social media. The advantage of this is that you get a quick answer to your questions and you don't have to wait on hold for a long time on the phone. Moreover, you can often also sign and send documents digitally, which makes the whole process even more efficient.
Collective Health Insurance
Collective health insurance is insurance that you take out through a group, such as your employer, an association or a municipality. The biggest advantage of group health insurance is the premium discount you can receive on additional insurance. The insurer concludes individual policies with each insured person, but the discount applies to the entire group.
Group health insurance offers several benefits:
Premium discount on supplementary insurance.
Sometimes access to more extensive additional insurance and services.
Possibility to take out collective insurance through various organizations, such as your employer, a trade union or a patient association.
Although group health insurance can be attractive, there are also disadvantages:
The premium discount usually only applies to supplementary insurance, not to basic insurance.
Individual health insurance without group insurance can sometimes be cheaper.
You are bound by the conditions and choices of the collective insurance, which may offer less flexibility.
Switching health insurance
When can you switch?
You can switch health insurance every year. The transfer period runs from mid-November to December 31. During this period you can cancel your current insurance and take out a new one. If you switch before January 1, your new insurer will ensure that your old insurance is canceled.
How do you switch?
Switching health insurance is simple and can be done in a few steps:
Compare different health insurance policies and choose the best option for you.
Apply for the new health insurance. This can often be done online.
Your new insurer will cancel your old insurance if you switch before January 1.
Common Switching Mistakes
Mistakes are sometimes made when switching health insurance. Here are some common mistakes:
Not switching on time: Make sure you switch before January 1 to avoid double costs.
Forgot to take additional insurance with you: Check whether your new insurance offers the same coverage as your old one.
Not comparing properly: Take the time to compare different insurance policies and pay attention to the conditions and coverage.
Health Insurance for Family and Children
Child cover in the Basic Insurance
Children up to the age of 18 are insured free of charge in their parents' basic insurance. This means that you do not pay a premium for them . Basic insurance covers most healthcare costs for children, such as GP visits, hospital admissions and medicines.
Additional Insurance for Children
Although the basic insurance covers a lot, there are additional insurance policies that can cover additional healthcare costs for children. This includes orthodontics, physiotherapy and alternative medicine. It is important to consider whether this extra coverage is necessary for your child.
Family discount with health insurance
Some health insurers offer a family discount if you insure multiple family members with the same insurer. This can be an attractive option to save costs. Always check the conditions and compare different providers to make the best choice.
Good health insurance for your family and children is essential. It offers the certainty that you always have access to the best care, without having to worry about the costs. Would you like to know more about the possibilities? Then visit our website for more information and personal advice.
Conclusion
Choosing the right health insurance can be a challenge, but with the right approach it becomes a lot easier. Think carefully about what care you need and compare different insurers based on coverage, price and customer satisfaction. Don't forget to also look at the conditions and whether your healthcare providers are contracted. By following these steps, you can choose a health insurance policy that best suits your situation. This way you are well prepared for the new year and you will not be faced with any surprises.
