Senior onderzoeker Zorgstelsel en Sturing
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To what degree are health insurance enrollees in the Netherlands aware of the restrictive conditions attached to their policies?
Hulst, F.J.P. van der, Holst, L., Brabers, A.E.M., Jong, J.D. de. To what degree are health insurance enrollees in the Netherlands aware of the restrictive conditions attached to their policies? Health Policy: 2022, 126(7), p. 693-703.
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Background
Within the Dutch healthcare system of managed competition, health insurers can contract healthcare providers selectively. Enrollees who choose a health insurance policy with restrictive conditions will have to make a co-payment if they consult a non-contracted provider. This study aims to gain insight into enrollees' awareness of the conditions of such health insurance policies.
Methods
In August 2020, an online questionnaire was sent out via health insurers to their enrollees with restrictive health plans. In total 13,588 enrollees responded.
Results
One fifth of the respondents appeared to be totally unfamiliar with the policy conditions. Men, younger people, people with a low level of education, a lower income, a poorer health status and non-care users were found to be less familiar with the conditions. Of those who have been in the situation that they wanted to visit a healthcare provider whose care was not fully reimbursed, 62% went to that provider. Of those who had to pay extra because hospital care was not fully reimbursed, 62% did not know this in advance and 30% indicated that paying extra was a serious problem.
Conclusions
Not all enrollees who choose a policy with restrictive conditions are aware of the consequences of receiving care from non-contracted providers. Increased awareness among enrollees will benefit the functioning of the healthcare system based on managed competition.
Within the Dutch healthcare system of managed competition, health insurers can contract healthcare providers selectively. Enrollees who choose a health insurance policy with restrictive conditions will have to make a co-payment if they consult a non-contracted provider. This study aims to gain insight into enrollees' awareness of the conditions of such health insurance policies.
Methods
In August 2020, an online questionnaire was sent out via health insurers to their enrollees with restrictive health plans. In total 13,588 enrollees responded.
Results
One fifth of the respondents appeared to be totally unfamiliar with the policy conditions. Men, younger people, people with a low level of education, a lower income, a poorer health status and non-care users were found to be less familiar with the conditions. Of those who have been in the situation that they wanted to visit a healthcare provider whose care was not fully reimbursed, 62% went to that provider. Of those who had to pay extra because hospital care was not fully reimbursed, 62% did not know this in advance and 30% indicated that paying extra was a serious problem.
Conclusions
Not all enrollees who choose a policy with restrictive conditions are aware of the consequences of receiving care from non-contracted providers. Increased awareness among enrollees will benefit the functioning of the healthcare system based on managed competition.
Background
Within the Dutch healthcare system of managed competition, health insurers can contract healthcare providers selectively. Enrollees who choose a health insurance policy with restrictive conditions will have to make a co-payment if they consult a non-contracted provider. This study aims to gain insight into enrollees' awareness of the conditions of such health insurance policies.
Methods
In August 2020, an online questionnaire was sent out via health insurers to their enrollees with restrictive health plans. In total 13,588 enrollees responded.
Results
One fifth of the respondents appeared to be totally unfamiliar with the policy conditions. Men, younger people, people with a low level of education, a lower income, a poorer health status and non-care users were found to be less familiar with the conditions. Of those who have been in the situation that they wanted to visit a healthcare provider whose care was not fully reimbursed, 62% went to that provider. Of those who had to pay extra because hospital care was not fully reimbursed, 62% did not know this in advance and 30% indicated that paying extra was a serious problem.
Conclusions
Not all enrollees who choose a policy with restrictive conditions are aware of the consequences of receiving care from non-contracted providers. Increased awareness among enrollees will benefit the functioning of the healthcare system based on managed competition.
Within the Dutch healthcare system of managed competition, health insurers can contract healthcare providers selectively. Enrollees who choose a health insurance policy with restrictive conditions will have to make a co-payment if they consult a non-contracted provider. This study aims to gain insight into enrollees' awareness of the conditions of such health insurance policies.
Methods
In August 2020, an online questionnaire was sent out via health insurers to their enrollees with restrictive health plans. In total 13,588 enrollees responded.
Results
One fifth of the respondents appeared to be totally unfamiliar with the policy conditions. Men, younger people, people with a low level of education, a lower income, a poorer health status and non-care users were found to be less familiar with the conditions. Of those who have been in the situation that they wanted to visit a healthcare provider whose care was not fully reimbursed, 62% went to that provider. Of those who had to pay extra because hospital care was not fully reimbursed, 62% did not know this in advance and 30% indicated that paying extra was a serious problem.
Conclusions
Not all enrollees who choose a policy with restrictive conditions are aware of the consequences of receiving care from non-contracted providers. Increased awareness among enrollees will benefit the functioning of the healthcare system based on managed competition.
