Switching health insurer in the Netherlands : price competition but lacking competition on quality.

Consumer mobility plays an important role in the Dutch health insurance system. The assumption is that insured individuals choose an insurer and insurance plan that best fits their needs and preferences, and that all those insured have the same opportunity to switch. The idea is that insured individuals who are not satisfied because of premiums or the quality of provided care, will switch. In 2011–19 the percentage of switchers was stable at around 9%. The premium is the most important switching reason (price competition), while quality hardly plays any role.