Coronavirus Update for Employers in the Netherlands

Coronavirus update for employers in the NetherlandsIf you are looking for a full outline of best practices in managing employees and business in the Netherlands during the coronavirus outbreak, take a look at this white paper from Asinta’s Netherlands Partner, Schouten Zekerheid.

Overall, the approach to combatting COVID-19 in the Netherlands is to remain calm, identify patients quickly, find out how a patient was infected, and who else might be at risk. This requires close cooperation between The National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), the municipal public health services (GGD) and care providers.

Identified patients are quarantined at home to prevent further spread of the virus. However, the government is preparing for more serious scenarios.

Wage subsidies

The Netherlands government took action on March 17, 2020 to shore up employer losses and keep employees working by enacting a wage subsidy program called NOW (read the full legislative update).

Specifics for insurance coverages

  • In general, mandatory Dutch health insurance covers almost all COVID-19 related healthcare expenses. For instance, health care delivered by general practitioners, medical specialist care, and hospitalization are covered under the Dutch mandatory basic insurance.
  • Some deductibles apply which translates to out of pocket expense.
  • Claims related to COVID-19 do not receive different treatment than claims for similar care expenses with another cause.
  • In general, this also applies to sick leave and disability insurances.
  • For some insurers, death coverage (e.g. dependent’s pension) is limited or even excluded if the insured person travels to an area for which a negative travel advice applies.
  • Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the list of locations to which this applies changes daily.
  • It is recommended travelers consult the Netherlands’ government coronavirus website when planning business travel. If in doubt, it is advisable to contact the insurer (with the help of Schouten Zekerheid) to ask whether the intended trip can impact the coverage.

 

Asinta’s Netherlands Partner, Schouten Zekerheid, provided this coronavirus update for employers in the Netherlands.