NMa: No Evidence of Agreements between Health Insurers

The Netherlands Competition Authority (NMa) has found no evidence that health insurers have entered into agreements on discounts in relation to group health insurance contracts, as suggested in reports in the media last year. The actual percentage discounts which the health insurers offer for group contracts do not indicate that agreements were made.

Within the framework of the new Health Insurance Act [Zorgverzekeringswet], as of 1 January 2006 health insurers have entered into new group contracts with, for instance, employers and patient associations. These organisations have negotiated discounts for their employees and members. The Act allows health insurers to grant a maximum discount of 10%.

René Jansen, a member of the Board of Directors of NMa: " It is good to see that group insurance is used in the struggle to win the favour of consumers. Of course, the parties involved must adhere to the rules of the game. Prohibited agreements are not part of this. I am satisfied that we have found no evidence of agreements. Of course, we will continue to follow this market in transition closely."

NMa has also considered a complaint by Verbond van Zorgverzekerden (VVZ) (the association of healthcare policyholders). VVZ suspected that the health insurers had decided amongst themselves to boycott VVZ because various attempts to enter into group contracts were unsuccessful. The complaint was based on these initial experiences. NMa has found no evidence to support the assumption that this was based on agreements between health insurers. VVZ has since also entered into group contracts with five health insurers. NMa will carry out no further investigations.

Healthcare is a priority in NMa's Agenda 2006. This year NMa will also remain alert to reports which it receives and will continue to monitor the healthcare market actively. In regulating the healthcare sector, NMa works closely with the Medical Charges Board [College Toezicht Gezondheidszorg] and the Office of Health Regulation [Zorgautoriteit] which is being established.