Since 2008, Dutch health insurance policies have included a deductible—now risen to €350—to curb unnecessary care. However, this can deter people from seeking essential treatment due to costs.
The Municipality of Tilburg investigated reports of declining GP visits. Their study examined whether residents were avoiding healthcare amid the higher deductible.
Health Issues Ignored
In early 2013, 15% of Tilburg residents skipped GP appointments despite symptoms, often opting to wait it out as issues seemed minor. Financial barriers affected 4%, with 2% citing the deductible specifically. Most such avoidance occurred in 2012.
Declining Referrals and Medications
Nine out of 11 GPs noted more patients skipping specialist referrals due to deductibles. Similarly, 8 of 12 pharmacies reported customers refusing or not collecting prescribed medications.
Do High Deductibles Make You Hesitate to See a Doctor?
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