Facts & Figures: Freedom of movement

In the internal market of the European Union, consumers are obtaining greater freedom of movement. This applies also to health care. The four freedoms of the European market make it possible to make use of a care offer elsewhere or to provide such care. Health care insurers in the Netherlandshave been taking advantage of this.

In this way, Dutch health care insurers offer their insured the possibility to be helped quickly, if they so desire. Naturally, there are desired treatments that are not yet contracted by Dutch care insurers. For those treatments, the care insurer can request that the insured ask prior authorization. Based on criteria drawn up by Regulation 1408/71 and by the European Court of Justice, the care provider assesses the request of the person insured with the health care insurer. Normally, the health care insurer gives permission to the insured. Refusal is possible only if care is available within a reasonable time in the Netherlandsor if the treatment method is experimental.