DSW health insurer announces record premium increase in Netherlands

Dutch health insurer DSW has announced a significant increase in monthly premiums for next year, raising them by €14.75 to a total of €173.25 per month. The company described this as its “largest premium increase ever.”

According to DSW, the hike is an inevitable result of rising healthcare costs, driven primarily by increased wages for healthcare personnel and higher service prices. The insurer noted that the previous year's stable premiums were due to a one-time government windfall that will not recur. Additionally, DSW cited government budget cuts for sectors such as mental healthcare and district nursing as factors contributing to the rise.

To mitigate the impact, DSW is utilizing €25 million from its reserves, generated from positive investment results, to limit the increase. While the mandatory deductible (eigen risico) will rise from €385 to €400 for the first time in eleven years, DSW expects this will only offset the monthly premium by less than €1.

DSW Director Aad de Groot criticized the current trajectory of the healthcare system, calling it a “dead end” and urging the government to invest more in preventative care to maintain long-term affordability.