Dutch hospitals to receive fixed budgets for emergency care from 2027
Starting in 2027, Dutch hospitals will receive fixed budgets for emergency care, replacing the current system. This change aims to provide financial stability and improve regional collaboration, but costs may vary per hospital. Citizens could see differences in emergency care pricing and accessibility.
| Key Data Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Implementation Date | January 1, 2027 |
| Funding Type | Budget-based funding (fixed budget) |
| Previous System | Availability contribution (abolished) |
| New Care Performance | Separate invoicing for emergency department care |
| Tariff Agreement | Hospitals and health insurers to agree on tariffs (may vary per hospital) |
| Application Submission | From September 2026 (joint applications by hospitals and health insurers) |
| Regulatory Body | Dutch Healthcare Authority (NZa) |
| Ministry Involved | Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS) |
| Next Steps | Development of an action plan for acute care organization and collaboration |
The Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS) oversees healthcare policy and funding in the Netherlands, ensuring accessible and high-quality care for citizens. The Dutch Healthcare Authority (NZa) regulates healthcare tariffs and funding models to promote efficiency and collaboration among care providers.
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Introduction of budget-based funding for emergency care from 2027
Starting next year, budget-based funding will be introduced for emergency care in hospitals. The Minister of Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS) aims to provide hospitals with greater financial certainty and improve collaboration between care providers delivering acute care in the region by allocating a fixed budget for emergency care (seh). From September onwards, hospitals and health insurers can jointly submit an application to the Dutch Healthcare Authority (NZa). In addition to introducing this budget-based funding, the NZa believes that further work is needed on the organization of appropriate acute care. The NZa will assess and monitor the ongoing development of budget-based funding in relation to appropriate care.
In practice
The NZa today publishes the new rules for budget-based funding. This will allow hospitals and health insurers to prepare thoroughly for its introduction on January 1 next year. The availability contribution for emergency care that hospitals could previously apply for will then be abolished. A separate care performance will be introduced for care delivered in an emergency department, which will be invoiced. Hospitals and health insurers will agree on a tariff for this. As a result, the tariff may vary per hospital.
Next steps required
With budget-based funding for emergency care, we are taking a first step toward stable and future-proof acute care. However, further steps are needed to advance the organization and collaboration of acute care. This requires making joint, substantive choices about the organization of acute care and developing an action plan with concrete timelines. The Ministry of VWS will take the lead in this, in collaboration with hospitals, health insurers, and healthcare professionals.