28 percent of the survey respondents have paid their health insurance bill late. This account was also at the top of the lists in 2018 and 2015. “We have not asked why that is,” says a Nibud spokesperson. “It is a bit of a guess. But it probably plays a role that if you end up in hospital urgently, you will be helped anyway.”
Ariane Kleijwegt of government platform Money Wise also does not know the exact explanation. “As far as we know, no research has been done on this.” But she also has her suspicions. “People are more focused on the here and now. It’s insurance for the future, that’s a concern for later.”
Health insurers often make very good agreements with citizens and are eager to help.
That can also be an explanation why the mortgage and energy bill are also high on the list. “People tell themselves: I will solve that later. By not paying the rent now, you immediately release a large amount to settle your other accounts.”
What happens if you don’t pay your health insurance?
But what happens if you can’t afford your health insurance? You will initially receive reminders from your health insurer. If you have not paid your premium for several months, the additional packages are often terminated. Health insurers can also enter into payment arrangements with you to prevent arrears from accumulating too much.
If you are six months in payment arrears and you have not yet succeeded in making a payment arrangement, your health insurer will report you to the government agency CAK. This body maintains the administration in the field of care and welfare.
What happens when you are registered with the CAK?
After registering with the CAK, you remain insured, but you pay a higher premium to the agency. This year it is 152 euros per month, says spokesman Christiaan Taal of the CAK. “Of course we always contact you to explain what is happening and how you can return to a regular premium by making a payment arrangement.”
For this you must either have caught up with your arrears or have agreed an arrangement with your health insurer. The CAK deducts the premium from your employer or benefits agency. If you have no income from which the agency can deduct the premium, you will receive a payment request from the Central Judicial Collection Agency (CJIB). That way everyone always has health insurance.
The CAK does not yet see an increase in registrations, says Taal. “Health insurers often make very good agreements with citizens and are eager to help. Only when that fails do people come to us.”
What about energy and water bills?
You can be cut off from gas, water and light if you don’t pay your bills for too long. But this also does not happen by accident. “The company must first send you a payment reminder and try to approach you personally,” the government site said. “If you still do not pay, the company may stop the supply of water.”
Often there is more going on if you cannot pay the energy bill.
If the water is cut off, you can request containers of water for at least four days. Every member of the household should have at least 3 liters of drinking water per day. In those four days you can contact debt counselling.
Auke Schouwstra of debt assistance organization NVVK: “Your supplier must know that you are in debt assistance. Then you are eligible for protection and you will not be cut off.”
Extra arrangement if you cannot pay the energy bill
There is an additional regulation for energy: until April 2023, households will not be disconnected if they cannot pay their energy bill in full. You do have to keep in touch with your supplier.
If you are in contact about a payment arrangement, have serious medical reasons or have requested debt assistance, you may not be disconnected at all. Schouwstra: “There is often more going on if you cannot meet these bills. These schemes encourage you to ask for help. So asking for help always makes sense.”
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