Table A.

Important Safeguards from the Government to Regulate the Health Insurance System

Adapted from the government website: https://www.government.nl/topics/health-insurance/documents/leaflets/2016/02/09/healthcare-in-the-netherlands

Mandatory basic health insurance policy	It is mandatory for everyone aged 18 or over who, lives, or works in the Netherlands to have a basic health insurance policy. Low incomes are financially supported by the government.
Uniform basic health insurance coverage	The government determines the basic health insurance policy coverage annually. The scope of covered health services under basic insurance is broad in the Netherlands (Leu et al., 2009). It contains essential medical care such as the costs of visiting your general practitioner and hospital care (Government of the Netherlands, 2018).
Mandatory acceptance	Health insurers have to accept all applicants for their basic health insurance policies, and they are not allowed to drop enrollees. They are compensated by the government for predictable variation in the medical expenses of individual insured, through a system which equalizes risk.
Community rating	Health insurers are obliged to offer their health insurance policies at the same price to everyone without medical underwriting, regardless of their age, health status, and place of residence.
Duty of care	Health insurers must ensure that everyone receives the necessary care on time and within a reasonable distance.