The Ministry of Health in the Netherlands have published their forecasts for the government’s 2017 spending plans. Sources claim that healthcare premiums are expected to rise by an average of €3.50 a month, up to around €103. However, the exact amount will be decided by health insurance companies and rarely resembles the predictions from the ministry.
This rise is expected to be so low due to continuing efforts to cut health costs, such as deals with pharmaceutical companies to limit certain treatments and keep down drug prices. Last year’s predicted rise was set at €7 – though the actual rise was much lower – showing just how well the new negotiations are doing.
Another leak shows that the annual own risk charge in health insurance is to be frozen at €385 in 2017.