Tip 15: Expiring Health Insurance Benefits

How to Get the Most from Your Health Insurance Benefits Before They Expire

Did you know your health insurance benefits might expire at the end of the year? From physiotherapy to new glasses, there’s still time to claim these perks before they reset. Discover how to maximize your health insurance benefits and avoid leaving money on the table!

As the year winds down, there’s more to do than just holiday shopping and planning New Year’s resolutions. Have you thought about your health insurance benefits? Many Dutch health insurance packages offer perks that expire at the end of the year. Whether it’s free physiotherapy sessions, a new pair of glasses, or a comprehensive health checkup, you might have benefits you’re not using. If you’ve opted for an aanvullende verzekering (supplementary insurance), you’ve paid extra each month for these additional perks—so why not make the most of them before they’re gone?

When we think about health insurance, most of us immediately consider coverage for doctor’s visits, hospital stays, or essential medical procedures. However, Dutch health insurance policies often come with a range of additional benefits that extend beyond these basic needs. These perks, typically found in aanvullende verzekeringen (supplementary insurance packages), are designed to support your overall health and well-being.

These supplementary perks can vary widely from one insurer to another but often include valuable services such as physiotherapy, which can help manage chronic pain or recover from an injury; nutrition advice, which is essential for maintaining a healthy diet or managing weight; mental health support, which might include therapy sessions or online mental wellness courses; and vision care, covering expenses for glasses or contact lenses.

In addition to these, many insurers offer a general health and fitness budget—a flexible allowance that can be used for various health-related services. This budget might cover blood tests that give you insights into your cholesterol levels or vitamin deficiencies, sports checkups that ensure you’re fit to take on new physical challenges, sleep aid programs that help improve your rest, and even diet assistance for those looking to improve their eating habits.

However, a critical aspect to remember is that these benefits typically come with a “use it or lose it” clause. The perks and budgets provided by your supplementary insurance don’t carry over to the next year. They reset on January 1st, meaning any unused benefits are forfeited. This expiration date underscores the importance of reviewing and utilizing these perks before the year ends—ensuring you get the full value of what you’ve been paying for.

Each health insurance provider in the Netherlands offers different packages with varying levels of coverage. While the basic packages cover essential medical care, supplementary insurance adds extra benefits that can be incredibly valuable. Most of these perks come with an annual budget, and if you don’t use that budget by December 31st, it resets. To make sure you’re not missing out, it’s essential to check your insurance policy, app, or website to see what’s still available and what you’ve already used.

Expiring Health Insurance Benefits in a Nutshell

• Many Dutch health insurance perks expire at the end of the year, including physiotherapy, vision care, and health checkups.
• These benefits are often part of supplementary insurance (aanvullende verzekering), for which you pay extra—so it’s worth using them.
• Check your insurer’s app or website to see what benefits you have left and what you’ve already used this year.
• If you find you’re not using many of your perks, consider switching to a simpler package when insurers release their new options in November.
• Switching insurers might even earn you cashback through apps like Woolsocks.
• Some health-related expenses might be tax-deductible—learn more in our Dutch Income Tax Savings Guide.

With so many different health insurance packages available, it’s impossible to cover the exact specifics for everyone. Your individual perks will depend on your chosen package, so be sure to check your insurer’s app or website for details. However, here are some of the most common benefits that many people can take advantage of before the year ends.

Physiotherapy is one of the most common perks included in supplementary health insurance packages. Insurers like CZ, Zilveren Kruis, and VGZ often cover a set number of sessions per year. If you haven’t used yours yet, consider booking a session to address any persistent aches, injuries, or to get a professional sports checkup. These sessions can be valuable, especially as the year comes to a close and you prepare for a fresh start in the new year.

If you’ve been squinting at screens or your current prescription is outdated, now is the time to take advantage of vision benefits. Most insurers, including Menzis and OHRA, offer coverage for new glasses or contact lenses every two to three years. If you haven’t used this benefit yet, check your policy to see if you’re eligible. A new pair of glasses or an updated prescription could make all the difference as you head into the new year.

Many health insurance packages include an annual health checkup, which might consist of a general physical exam or specific blood tests. This benefit is often overlooked, but it can provide valuable insights into your health, including cholesterol levels, blood sugar, and vitamin deficiencies. Zilveren Kruis and VGZ, for example, offer these checkups as part of their supplementary packages. Use this benefit before year-end to get a clear picture of your health and catch any potential issues early.

Certain health insurance policies, like those from CZ and Menzis, offer fitness coaching or sports checkups. These services are excellent if you’re looking to improve your physical fitness or start a new exercise regime in the new year. A sports checkup can help identify any underlying issues before they become serious, while fitness coaching can set you on the right path to achieving your health goals.

Mental health is just as important as physical health, and many insurers recognize this by offering access to mental health resources or online self-help programs. Menzis, for example, includes various online courses and self-help tools aimed at improving mental well-being. These resources can be a great way to manage stress, improve sleep, or develop healthier habits, all from the comfort of your home.

Struggling with your diet or looking to shed a few kilos? Some insurance packages, like those from Zilveren Kruis and VGZ, include coverage for nutrition advice or weight loss programs. These programs can provide personalized advice tailored to your health needs, helping you start the new year with better eating habits and a healthier lifestyle.

Given the wide range of health insurance providers and the variety of aanvullende verzekeringen (supplementary insurance) available, it’s impossible to cover every specific benefit you might have. To make sure you’re not missing out, you’ll need to check your insurer’s app or website. Look at your current package, see what benefits you’re entitled to, and assess what you’ve already used this year. If you find that you’re eligible for a lot of perks that you haven’t used, it might be worth considering a simpler package next year.

Each November, insurers reveal their new packages for the coming year. This is your chance to evaluate your current coverage and decide if it’s still the best fit for you. If you’re thinking about switching, you might be interested in using the Woolsocks app, which offers cashback when you switch insurers. This could be a great way to save money while ensuring you have the coverage that suits your needs. We’ll be publishing an article soon to guide you through the process of evaluating and switching your health insurance, so keep an eye on our website and social media for updates.

For more tips on saving money in the Netherlands, check out our article on how some health costs might be tax-deductible: Dutch Income Tax Savings Guide.