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Barriers to entry and expansion in the Dutch health insurance market
The ACM has conducted a study into barriers to entry and expansion in in the Dutch health insurance market. These barriers are an important reason for the lack of effective competition between health insurers. The study shows that high capital … -
Health insurers to make hospital tariffs more transparent
The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) is of the opinion that health insurers, not hospitals, should make the next move in giving consumers more insight into the tariffs of hospital treatments that fall below the deductible. Health … -
ACM: a broad-based effort is needed for long-term competition in anti-rheumatic prescription drugs
The expiration of patents and the market entry of competing drugs have led to drops in the net purchasing prices of three important anti-rheumatic prescription drugs, the so-called TNF-alpha inhibitors. As a result, hospitals have been able to save … -
Sector inquiry into TNF alpha inhibitors
The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) has conducted a sector inquiry into TNF alpha inhibitors. TNF-alpha inhibitors are biological drugs that are mostly used by patients with rheumatic disorders. Hospitals buy these drugs for their … -
Further investigation needed into merger between providers of nursing home care in city of Den Helder
Two health care providers, Stichting Omring and Stichting Vrijwaard, in the northern Dutch city of Den Helder wish to merge. They have informed the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) about their plans. These providers offer nursing home … -
ACM offers room for collaborations as part of the Right Care in the Right Place
Arrangements between health care providers and health insurers about relocating health care between providers as part of ‘the Right Care in the Right Place’ (in Dutch: De Juiste Zorg op de Juiste Plek) may be in violation of the Dutch Competition Act. … -
Risks for price and quality if hospitals in different regions negotiate collectively
Hospitals are allowed to collaborate with each other in many different ways. However, there are also boundaries, for example, if the collaboration leads to higher prices or reduced health-care quality for patients or insured. Such risks may arise, for … -
Capital regulation impedes entry and competition between health insurers
Stringent capital requirements and limited opportunities to meet these restrict entry and competition between health insurers. This is one of the main conclusions that the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) draws in its study into … -
Consumers could save substantially on their health insurances
Consumers are able to save substantially on the basic policies of their health insurances. This is one of the provisional conclusions of a study carried out by the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) and the Dutch Healthcare Authority … -
Collective refusal of primary-care contracts raises costs for patients
The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) has pointed out to primary-care providers that a collective boycott of care contracts is illegal. A collective boycott violates competition rules, harms consumers, and, at the end of the day, harms …