How to find a doctor or dentist Dutch health care system General practitioner (GP, huisarts) Dentist (tandarts) Dutch health care system Medical prescriptions will be written out by your The Dutch health care system is often referred to as the GP. Take your prescription to the nearest pharmacy ‘gate-keeper system’; the general practitioner (GP, (apotheek) to collect your medicine. huisarts) or family doctor being the main link to any specialist or hospital. In order to see a medical specialist When to contact a doctor at the hospital, you will need to make an appointment The GP should be the first person you call for all with your GP to receive a referral. medical problems, with the exception of emergencies. If you are suffering from flu, a twisted ankle, abdominal Without exception, health insurance is compulsory in pain, psychological problems, chronic illness or the Netherlands. The insurance reimburses part of your gynaecological problems, contact your GP first. medical cost, depending on the type of insurance you GP appointments can be made by phone. Most doctors have chosen. Visit the 'insurances' section on our have set visiting hours and often give advice over the website www.expatcentreleiden.nl to learn more about phone. If your problem is of a serious nature, the doctor health care insurance. may make a house call, though this is not standard procedure. General practitioner (GP, huisarts) When you first arrive in the Netherlands, make sure to Once a diagnosis is made, your GP will decide on the register with a GP nearby. In case of an emergency, a method of treatment. The doctor may decide to treat doctor should be able to be present within fifteen the problem by him/herself (perhaps with prescription minutes. medicine available from a pharmacy) or refer you to a specialist at a hospital. You will always need a referral in In the Netherlands, it is necessary to make an order to see a specialist, except for appointments with a appointment for visiting a doctor. It is customary to physiotherapist or midwife. have an admission interview with a GP before registering with his/her practice. Provide your new GP Outside with your medical records, so he or she can get up to unit (huisartsenpost) in Leiden can be reached by date concerning your personal situation. dialling the following phone number: 0900 513 80 39. It office hours, a special GP emergency is located at the LUMC (Leiden University Medical In case of an emergency, it will be possible to meet with Center), Albinusdreef 2, Leiden. This unit is set up for your doctor on that same day. A doctor can determine emergencies only and it is more expensive than a GP whether or not a referral to a specialist is necessary. during weekly consulting hours. Your health insurance » How to find a doctor or dentist will not cover the cost of a non-emergency visit to the the appointment in cash. If your insurance covers GP emergency unit. dental cost, ask the dentist for a receipt which will enable you to claim a refund from your insurance Emergencies company. The national emergency phone number (for medical assistance, police or fire brigade) is 112. You may call Finding a dentist this number in case of emergencies only. Health Ask around. Friends, colleagues, neighbours or the insurance will not cover the cost of a non-emergency family GP may suggest a certain dentist. You can also visit to the first aid department of a hospital. consult the Yellow Pages (Gouden Gids) for dentists, orthodontists and dental hygienists. Simply phone a Health Insurance coverage and the doctor dentist and ask to register with his or her practice. The Health insurance covers the cost of a medical municipality can also provide you with information and consultation. If you have a contracted care policy perhaps the names of dentists who speak your (naturapolis), the doctor will send invoices directly to language. the insurer. If you have a non-contracted care policy (restitutiepolis), the doctor will send the invoice to the Emergencies patient and the patient can declare the cost with the For emergency dental treatment outside surgery hours, insurer. Please note that, in the case of contracted care telephone the practice. An answering machine will policies, it is advisable to check with your insurance inform you who to contact in case of an emergency. In agency if your GP is on their list of associated doctors (if general, the information will be in Dutch. so, payment and administration will be quicker and easier). Coverage of dental cost The cost for dental care is usually not included in a Dentist (tandarts) basic health insurance policy (basispakket). Additional When dental care is needed, you can call any dentist to insurance can cover up to 75 per cent of the costs. For make an appointment. Take into account that it could the exact coverage, check your policy terms or contact take a number of days before a dentist is available for your insurer. an appointment. You may be asked to pay for