bijbetaling

Bijbetaling is a term used in the Netherlands to describe an additional payment that a consumer must make on top of the standard price or reimbursement for a product or service. It occurs when the base price or the portion covered by a contract, insurance, or regulation is insufficient to cover the full cost. The bijbetaling can be a fixed amount or a percentage and may apply per item, per service, or per day.

In healthcare, bijbetaling is commonly charged for services or facilities not fully reimbursed by basic health insurance. Examples include private hospital rooms, certain non-reimbursed medicines, dental treatments beyond standard coverage, or procedures considered non-standard care. Providers often present an estimate or notification before the service, and the insurer may cover only part of the cost; the remainder is the bijbetaling. Some insurers or hospitals publish price lists that include possible bijbetalingen.

Legislation and consumer rights in the Netherlands require clear information about extra costs before entering into a service agreement. Patients may have the right to a written quote and to refuse the service if the bijbetaling is unacceptable, subject to the terms of the contract. In many cases the insurer must approve costly or non-standard care, and providers are expected to be transparent about charges.

Outside healthcare, bijbetaling is used for optional upgrades or services in travel, leisure, or retail—such as premium seating, extra baggage, or add-on features. To manage bijbetaling, consumers should ask for a written cost breakdown in advance, verify whether the amount is reimbursable, and compare alternatives.