Diabetes and your health insurance 2021. What is reimbursed?

Until the end of this year you have the option to switch to another health insurance policy. You often save tens of euros annually, so it is worth choosing the right health insurance based on your preferences. If you are a diabetic, you are dependent on the right long-term care. But is your care fully reimbursed through your basic insurance or is it necessary to also take out additional insurance?

First of all, reimbursement will only be made if the healthcare costs exceed your deductible. You can determine this deductible yourself when choosing a new health insurance policy. You pay at least 385 euros per year yourself before the healthcare costs are reimbursed. Reimbursements from the basic package are determined based on the patient's insulin dependence.

Reimbursement for type 1 diabetes

Type 1 diabetes patients often inject insulin several times a day and are eligible for a number of reimbursements. The insulin pen is reimbursed once every three years, per insulin type. And in addition, a spare insulin pen is covered by insurance. The lancing device is reimbursed once every 1 years. The insulin pump including the accessories that go with it is reimbursed once every four years. A referral from an internist is required if you want to use a portable insulin pump. The number of test strips that is reimbursed depends on your specific diabetes situation. Do you use an insulin pump? In that case, 400 test strips and 400 lancets will be reimbursed per quarter.

Reimbursement for type 2 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes patients often do not inject insulin and control their disease with a healthy lifestyle and medications. For these diabetes patients, medicines are only reimbursed if they are prescribed by the doctor and if they fall under the GVS (medicine reimbursement system). But only if the deductible (minimum € 385 and maximum € 858) has been used up within one year. Diabetes aids are only reimbursed from the basic package when glucose-lowering drugs no longer work as a treatment and your doctor is considering treating you with insulin. You can, however, take out additional insurance that, for example, reimburses dietary advice, medicines outside the GVS and test strips.

What else do you need to know?

Sometimes reimbursement is lower because the supplier of the diabetes aids does not have a contract with the health insurer. It is also sometimes necessary to ask a health insurer for permission when medical aids are purchased through a supplier who does not have a contract with the health insurer. Do you want to purchase more diabetes aids than prescribed? You will also need permission from the health insurer. So always look carefully at the conditions of the health insurance you choose.

The Healthcare Institute of the Netherlands has a handy tool with which you can find out whether your medicine is reimbursed and how much this amount is. You can also save on annual healthcare costs by declaring them in your income tax return. You will find more information on the Tax Authorities website.

More information can be found in this updated article from September 2021.