Document 166315

How to find a doctor or dentist


Dutch health care system




General practitioner (GP, huisarts)




Dentist (tandarts)

Dutch health care system

Medical prescriptions will be written out by your

The Dutch health care system is often referred to as the

GP. Take your prescription to the nearest pharmacy

‘gate-keeper system’; the general practitioner (GP,

(apotheek) to collect your medicine.

huisarts) or family doctor being the main link to any specialist or hospital. In order to see a medical specialist

When to contact a doctor

at the hospital, you will need to make an appointment

The GP should be the first person you call for all

with your GP to receive a referral.

medical problems, with the exception of emergencies. If you are suffering from flu, a twisted ankle, abdominal

Without exception, health insurance is compulsory in

pain, psychological problems, chronic illness or

the Netherlands. The insurance reimburses part of your

gynaecological problems, contact your GP first.

medical cost, depending on the type of insurance you

GP appointments can be made by phone. Most doctors

have chosen. Visit the 'insurances' section on our

have set visiting hours and often give advice over the

website www.expatcentreleiden.nl to learn more about

phone. If your problem is of a serious nature, the doctor

health care insurance.

may make a house call, though this is not standard procedure.

General practitioner (GP, huisarts) When you first arrive in the Netherlands, make sure to

Once a diagnosis is made, your GP will decide on the

register with a GP nearby. In case of an emergency, a

method of treatment. The doctor may decide to treat

doctor should be able to be present within fifteen

the problem by him/herself (perhaps with prescription

minutes.

medicine available from a pharmacy) or refer you to a specialist at a hospital. You will always need a referral in

In the Netherlands, it is necessary to make an

order to see a specialist, except for appointments with a

appointment for visiting a doctor. It is customary to

physiotherapist or midwife.

have an admission interview with a GP before registering with his/her practice. Provide your new GP

Outside

with your medical records, so he or she can get up to

unit (huisartsenpost) in Leiden can be reached by

date concerning your personal situation.

dialling the following phone number: 0900 513 80 39. It

office

hours,

a

special

GP emergency

is located at the LUMC (Leiden University Medical In case of an emergency, it will be possible to meet with

Center), Albinusdreef 2, Leiden. This unit is set up for

your doctor on that same day. A doctor can determine

emergencies only and it is more expensive than a GP

whether or not a referral to a specialist is necessary.

during weekly consulting hours. Your health insurance

»

How to find a doctor or dentist will not cover the cost of a non-emergency visit to the

the appointment in cash. If your insurance covers

GP emergency unit.

dental cost, ask the dentist for a receipt which will enable you to claim a refund from your insurance

Emergencies

company.

The national emergency phone number (for medical assistance, police or fire brigade) is 112. You may call

Finding a dentist

this number in case of emergencies only. Health

Ask around. Friends, colleagues, neighbours or the

insurance will not cover the cost of a non-emergency

family GP may suggest a certain dentist. You can also

visit to the first aid department of a hospital.

consult the Yellow Pages (Gouden Gids) for dentists, orthodontists and dental hygienists. Simply phone a

Health Insurance coverage and the doctor

dentist and ask to register with his or her practice. The

Health insurance covers the cost of a medical

municipality can also provide you with information and

consultation. If you have a contracted care policy

perhaps the names of dentists who speak your

(naturapolis), the doctor will send invoices directly to

language.

the insurer. If you have a non-contracted care policy (restitutiepolis), the doctor will send the invoice to the

Emergencies

patient and the patient can declare the cost with the

For emergency dental treatment outside surgery hours,

insurer. Please note that, in the case of contracted care

telephone the practice. An answering machine will

policies, it is advisable to check with your insurance

inform you who to contact in case of an emergency. In

agency if your GP is on their list of associated doctors (if

general, the information will be in Dutch.

so, payment and administration will be quicker and easier).

Coverage of dental cost The cost for dental care is usually not included in a

Dentist (tandarts)

basic health insurance policy (basispakket). Additional

When dental care is needed, you can call any dentist to

insurance can cover up to 75 per cent of the costs. For

make an appointment. Take into account that it could

the exact coverage, check your policy terms or contact

take a number of days before a dentist is available for

your insurer.


an appointment. You may be asked to pay for