USC Insurance Guide 2017 Residents in the Netherlands are required to have health insurance. There are a variety of insurance companies and packages to choose from in order to find the most ideal fit for you. In this pamphlet, we hope to provide a concise overview of the options you have for choosing your health insurance whether you’re a free mover or a study financing recipient.

The Dutch Medical System The medical system in the Netherlands differs from that in St. Maarten. Here are some key points to keep in mind: 1

Your ‘huisarts’ or house doctor/general practitioner (GP) is your first call If you have any health complaint, you are first to plan an appointment with your GP. Based on the results, the doctor will determine whether it is necessary to recommend you to see a specialist or not.

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Your GP should be within 10-15 minutes of your house This is to insure that your doctor can reach you in case of emergency within a reasonably short amount of time. Most doctors and health centres only see patients within certain postcodes for this reason.

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Every doctor has a maximum number of patients This is important to keep in mind as there may be a waiting list. It is advised to register on the waitlist as well as seek out another doctor to register at in your area. Remember that it’s essential to have a doctor in case of emergencies and in cases where you would require a doctor’s note for school or work.

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Obtain the right policy The National Health Care Institution of the Netherlands (Zorginstituut Nederland) regularly monitors whether you have basic care insurance, based on information from the municipal personal records database. Students from Sint Maarten are usually not included in the obligation to insure under the Dutch Long-Term Care Act (WLZ). There are exceptions, for example if you work. Make sure to be informed and obtain the right policy, otherwise you risk receiving a fine from the Dutch Social Insurance Bank (SVB).

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Make use of the window to make policy changes or switch insurance providers All insurance companies have announced their policies and prices. Now is the time to make any changes to your insurance policy, or even change insurance providers. Be sure to do your research, compare policies, ask about any available offers and conclude the process before the end of 2016.

2016 - 2017 Study Financing Recipients and InsureToStudy Students that come to the Netherlands with study financing from the St. Maarten government are provided with a student insurance. This collective student health insurance is provided through the insurance broker InsureToStudy. The full policy can be found at their website. The coverage provided ranges from healthcare to material effects and includes legal aid and travel insurance.

The travel insurance includes coverage for a period of 8 consecutive weeks during vacation back to Sint Maarten. This insurance costs approximately 54 euros a month. The claims procedure is also outlined on the website. Students must pay roughly 25% upfront. InsureToStudy offers student insurance to those who do not work or gain a salary besides their study financing. If you wish to begin a side job or paid internship, you are required to have a basic insurance ('basis verzekering'). InsureToStudy also offers a basis insurance premium in connection with their partner, Turien & Co. This insurance is priced at about 85 euros monthly with an option to upgrade covered policies starting from about 10 euros. It is important to note that this insurance has no eigen risico (deductories).

Student Health Insurance | ‘Studenten Zorgverzekering’ As stated before, all residents of the Netherlands are required to be insured. However, there are private international student health insurances that may be available for you depending on your situation. These are special student insurances and tend to be affordable and offer some flexibility. It is important to keep in mind that these are not basic insurances and, if you are working or paying taxes in the Netherlands, these insurances are not for you. Additionally, such insurances are mostly international insurances and may be helpful during internships or study abroad during your MBO/HBO/WO study programme.

Health Insurance | ‘Zorgverzekering’ Is your current insurance package only applicable to students? Are you a student who will soon be finishing up your study? It is then advisable to take a look at your options. Consider the following: - Annually what care do you require? Find a policy that best fits this and compare prices. Remember, the wider the coverage, the higher the premium. - Check what compensation you will receive. Make sure that you are not paying more in premiums than you are compensated for your care costs - Evaluate your 'own risk' (eigen risico). Does it make sense for you to increase this? You will need to get 'basisverzekering' as a minimum, and then you can choose whether you would like to pay for extended insurances. Students usually do not need extended health insurance. You can save a lot by just a basic insurance and to choose the maximum deductible. Some insurers offer a special student healthcare insurance.

Health Insurance Changes 2017 Now is the time to switch if you are unhappy with your insurance policy and / or provider. When you switch within the changing period (ending 31 December), you don't have to cancel your old policy by yourself; instead your new health insurance company will make sure your previous policy is cancelled. As a student, here are the most important changes to health insurance you should know about: - The average Dutch health insurance policy will cost around €8 more per month - Zorgtoeslag will increase between €2 - €3.50 more per month - The mandatory excess (eigen risico) of €385 will remain the same in 2017

Want more information? Still not sure about your insurance provider? Or do you have any questions? Feel free to contact us via email at director-nl@uscfoundation. We will be happy to guide you in selecting an insurance provider and policy that suits your care needs. Also, check out the following links: Regarding general practitioners in the Netherlands: http://www.iamexpat.nl/expat-page/healthcare/general-practitioners-gp-doctors-netherlands InsureToStudy and study financing recipients: https://www.stmaartenstudent.com/en/ Video explaining "eigen risico” [Dutch]: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MkWxxfDB1Fs Am I eligible for private student insurance?: https://studentsinsured.com/~/media/losse-sites/ips/files/healthcare-insurance-for-internationalstudents-in-the-netherlands.pdf?la=en Comparison website, with overview of 2017 changes to implemented [Dutch]: https://www.independer.nl/zorgverzekering/info/wijzigingen-zorgverzekering-2017.aspx Consumentenbond (Dutch Consumer's Association), overview of insurance [Dutch]: http://www.consumentenbond.nl/zorgverzekering/ Student Insurance, overview of medical insurance [Dutch]: http://www.studenten-zorgverzekeringen.nl/