gezondheidszorginfrastructuur

Gezondheidszorg (health care) is the system and activities aimed at protecting, maintaining, and restoring the health of the population. In the Netherlands it covers a wide range of services, from prevention and primary care to hospital treatment, mental health care, and long-term care. The system emphasizes strong primary care, patient choice, and coordinated services across sectors.

The Netherlands operates universal coverage based on a mandatory basic health insurance package. Residents must obtain this basic package from private health insurers approved by the government. The package typically covers visits to general practitioners, hospital care, prescription medications, and essential therapies. General practitioners act as gatekeepers to specialist and hospital services. People may also purchase supplementary insurance for services not included in the basic package.

Long-term care is provided under separate arrangements and funding streams (the Wet langdurige zorg, Wlz). Access to intensive long-term care is subject to assessment, with funding and delivery coordinated through a mix of government provisions, insurers, care institutions, and municipalities. Prevention, public health programs, and mental health services are integrated into the system, with ongoing reforms to improve efficiency and accessibility.

Costs for individuals include an annual deductible (eigen risico) for basic care, with some services exempt. Depending on income, households may receive subsidies (zorgtoeslag) to help with premiums and out-of-pocket costs. The system is financed through a combination of contributions to health insurers and government funding, with risk equalization to prevent adverse selection.

The Nederlandse gezondheidszorg is widely regarded for high quality and strong primary care, but faces challenges such as aging, rising costs, and workforce pressures, driving policy debates about sustainability and access.