2025
HEALTH INSURANCE

This year, unfortunately, we’re seeing it again:

     -  Health insurance premiums are increasing

     -  Coverage is decreasing

     -  Reimbursement for non-contracted physiotherapy is being reduced.

     -  Free choice of doctors (restitution package) is disappearing.

In 2025, the likelihood of receiving only a small reimbursement for your treatments is very high. And it’s not due to our prices.

We’d like to explain why this is happening and offer you a few tips on what you can do.

As a customer, you see dozens of different health insurers. But did you know:

• There are only seven major insurance groups?
• 80% of insurance companies fall under just four groups: Achmea, CZ, VGZ, and Menzis—also known as the Big Four?

Because basic health insurance is largely the same (it’s regulated by law), insurers use their supplementary packages—especially physiotherapy—to differentiate themselves.

To stay competitive, they keep the prices of these packages low, particularly for physiotherapy, which affects the care provided.

In short:

• Insurers aim to sell bigger supplementary packages to customers.
• At the same time, they pay less for the care provided.
• Contracted therapists receive low reimbursements.
• Clients of non-contracted therapists, like us (like YOU) receive even less.

A few years ago, a study on cost pricing, commissioned by Dutch health insurers, revealed the true cost of a physiotherapy session. Accounting for inflation, the cost price (excluding profit) is about €47 per session.

Yet, health insurers reimburse care providers around €36 per session, disregarding the study’s findings.

As a result, contracted physiotherapists are forced to work at unsustainable rates. Many practices have adjusted their schedules, reducing session times from 30 minutes to 20 minutes to survive this system.

We recommend thoroughly reviewing your health insurance for next year:

• Which insurer will you choose?
• Do you need a supplementary package?
  (Note: If you have surgery planned, it may be wise to get supplementary coverage.)

1. Set up your own savings plan for additional care needs instead of purchasing supplementary insurance. Depending on your situation, relying on insurance could end up costing you more, if not this year, then next year.
   
   

2. If you’re self-employed, consider ways to cover treatments for yourself (and your team) through your business.
   
   

3. Avoid the Big Four insurers (VGZ, Achmea, CZ, and Menzis). Their policies are increasingly restrictive:

   • Achmea will lower reimbursements for non-contracted physiotherapy from €27 to €18.54 per session.
   • VGZ reimburses just €17.50 per session, and CZ €19.48.
   • Menzis hasn’t disclosed its maximum reimbursement amount.
     

See the chart below to identify which insurers fall under these groups.

We’re staying true to our values   —   our way   —   without health insurers.

While many practices are switching to 20-minute sessions, we continue to offer 30-minute treatments, ensuring:

✅  More time for you.

✅  Development opportunities, training, and continued education for our therapists.

✅  The high level of service you’ve come to expect.

✅  Investment in innovative technology to enhance our assessments and track treatment outcomes.

                                                                                              -------

Important Government information:

• If you switch health insurance by December 31, your new insurer will cancel your old policy automatically.
  
  
• If you cancel your policy yourself by December 31, you have until February 1 to choose a new one.

All the best!

The Art of Physio Team

© Art of Physio. All Rights Reserved.