The Dutch Health Care System

Who is covered?

Health care in the Netherlands is regulated publicly and delivered privately, in a system of "managed competition."  All residents are required to purchase a standard health insurance package from a private insurer, covering physician and hospital care and pharmaceuticals.  Wage-related contributions are pooled in a central fund and redistributed to the insurers according to a sophisticated risk-adjustment formula.  Insurers also charge their own community-rated premiums.  Most people also purchase complementary private insurance for services not covered by the standard benefit package, such as adult dental care and physiotherapy.

 For more information, read a Commonwealth Fund Profile of the Dutch Health Care System.