Non-payment of premiums
If you default on your insurance premium payments, your health insurer will offer you a payment scheme. If you have not paid premiums for six months, the insurer will report you to the Central Administration Office (CAK). The premiums will then be withheld from your pay and remitted to the CAK.
If you are on a low income, you may be eligible for zorgtoeslag (healthcare benefit).
Measures to prevent default on premium payments
If you fail to pay your healthcare insurance premiums, your insurer will send you reminders and offer you a payment scheme. It will report you to the CAK if you default on your payments for six months. From that moment on, you will no longer be liable for paying premiums to the insurer. Instead, the amount due will be withheld from your pay and remitted to the CAK. You will remain insured under the standard package. If you have an additional package, the insurer may cancel it.
Higher premium
If you have been reported to the CAK as a defaulter, the premium will be increased to 120% of the standard premium. This also applies to people whose income does not exceed the level of social insurance benefit.
If you do not agree with the higher premium, referred to as administrative premium, contact your insurer.
Payment of the administrative premium
Your employer, benefits agency or pension administrator will withhold the premium from your salary, benefit or pension and remit it to the CAK. If the premium cannot be withheld because your income is irregular or too low, you will receive a giro collection form every month from the Central Fine Collection Agency (CJB) to pay the premium.
Repaying your debt to the insurer
The administrative premium paid to the CAK does not pay off any debt you may have with your insurer. Try to agree a payment scheme with your insurer to do so.
Debt repaid
If you have repaid your debt, your insurer will inform the CAK and the administrative premium will no longer be withheld from your pay. Your insurer may also do so if you have agreed to a payment scheme.
The CAK will send you written confirmation that the administrative premium will no longer be withheld. Your employer, benefits agency or pension administrator will also be informed that it no longer needs to withhold the premium.
Insurance cannot be ended if you have payment arrears
If you have defaulted on your payments, you cannot end your insurance or change insurers in an attempt to avoid repaying your debt.