Frequently Asked Questions

Why should I register with a GP (general practitioner/family physician)?
In order to have access to regular health care services in The Netherlands you must register with a GP. Your GP is your first stop for all health-related matters, and she or he will refer you further to any specialist, if need be. You can register with the General Practice unit at the IHCH online via http://www.ihch.nl/. You can choose between 7 GP's, male or female, from various backgrounds. If you register with one of our GP's and you have a local GP already, you will have to deregister with your current GP.  We can assist you with this process.

I'm already registered with a local GP. Can I still come to the IHCH for medical and/or other consultations?
You can always visit us for acute or incidental medical assistance. However, if you already are registered with a local GP in the The Hague area and have a Dutch insurance, we will bill you for the consultation at your own expense, since Dutch insurance companies only reimburse consultations with your own GP. All other services (specialists, psychology, physiotherapy etc.) offered by the IHCH are available upon appointment. If you plan to come to us on a regular basis we recommend you register with the GP practice at the IHCH and de-register with your current GP.

Do I need to register separately for all the different healthcare services at the IHCH?
No, you don't. Registration is only required at the GP practice. All other services are open, also to those registered with GP's outside the IHCH.

How far in advance do I need to make an appointment?
You can make an appointment by calling our receptionist at 070.306.51.11. We are usually can offer same day appointment, however, ask for your understanding if we cannot accommodate you until the next business day. Our Doctor's Assistants, who are medically trained and abide to a strict code of confidentiality, may ask you a few questions only to assess the urgency of the situation and to help you to the best of their ability. Should you not wish to communicate your condition to the assistant, we understand. Just let him/her know that you will discuss it directly with the doctor.

Do I need to call the IHCH to cancel an existing appointment?
Whilst we strive to offer maximum flexibility to our clients we ask you to call us for cancellations as soon as possible. For cancellations made less than 24 hours prior to the appointment we are obliged to charge the full consultation fee.

Are all IHCH services covered by national and international insurance?
All GP, medical specialist and pharmaceutical services are covered, although not always for 100%. Insurance companies may apply deductions for own risk and for other services coverage is dependant on your personal policy, like alternative medicine or physiotherapy. We recommend you check your individual insurance policy or ask your employer about their collective insurance policies for all details. If you have a foreign insurance policy you will have to pay the bills directly at the end of the consultation, except when you carry Vanbreda or the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) including costs incurred for medication and other over the counter pharmaceutical products.

Do you have an on site dentist or orthodontist?
Not at this location, but just across town in the Bezuidenhout area close to the Malieveld. However, please refer to our Services section entitled "dentistry" for more information. They may also advise you on orthodontitics as well.

I'm currently taking medication prescribed in another country. Can I come to the IHCH pharmacy for a refill?
Yes, you can. If your medication is not available in The Netherlands we will almost always be able to supply you with the equivalent medication. In all other instances we will do our utmost to import your original medication, obeying possible legal restrictions and regulations.

I'm soon travelling abroad with my children. Can you advise me on the vaccinations needed?
The IHCH runs a travel clinic. Please make an appointment, we'll be happy to advise you on all the precautions, and provide you with the vaccinations you need before heading off.

The children's vaccination schemes in my home country are different from the one offered by the Consultatie Bureau in the Netherlands. Can I ask the IHCH to apply the vaccination scheme of my home?
Yes, you can. Provided you can give us the vaccination history, we will do our best to continue your national immunization and vaccination scheme. However, we can only offer this service if you are registered with the GP practice at the IHCH. Most Dutch insurance companies will not reimburse the cost of vaccinations in these cases.

Who has access to my medical records within the IHCH?
Your medical records are handled with the strictest confidentiality within the practice. Each practitioner keeps his or her separate records concerning your treatment. Within the GP practice your records can be consulted by all GPs and their medical assistants, but not by other healthcare workers.
Your own GP may need to share information in order to co-ordinate with other colleagues or hospital specialists, to make a treatment plan for you. Sharing medical information about you with a third party outside the practice may only take place with your explicit consent.

Can I directly book an appointment with a specialist at the IHCH?
Yes, you can, also if you are not registered with a GP in our clinic. Registered clients have priority access though. If you are registered with a GP at our centre, please consult your GP first when you want to see a specialist, this will reduce your waiting times and because our GP's and specialists work closely together, ensures a good medical treatment. If you do not have a GP at all in the Netherlands we will ask you to register with one of our GP's at IHCH as to secure follow-up of possible specialist treatments.

Which specialists offer consultations at the IHCH?
At present we offer cardiology, dermatology, gynaecology, internal medicine, neurology, ophthalmology and paediatrics. Appointments can be booked via our reception, 070-3065111.

Could I meet one of the GPs before deciding to register with the IHCH?
Yes, you're very welcome to make an appointment and talk to one of our GPs. Please indicate this when making the appointment with the receptionist.

What are the rates for  GP consultations?

Registered patients

Double consultation:       €17.56
Single consultation:        €  8.78

Phone/Email consults:    €  4,39

Transient patients

Double consultation:       €51.88
Single consultation:        €25.94

Phone/Email consults:    €12.97

The 2012 rates above are set according to the Dutch law

To register with the IHCH, please click here

I am a registered patient and am leaving the Netherlands or wish to deregister?

Not a problem. Please simply contact us by email in advance of your move so that we may have the opportunity to check your account and update our records. For your planning, if you are leaving the country and would like copies of any/all medical records, please be advised that due to strict confidentiality protocol, we are only in a position to turnover physical copies which must be picked up from our office before your departure. We ask for your understanding in notifying us 5 business days in advance preparation time. If you have moved house within the Netherlands and have a new GP, please advise us of his/her name and practice address and we will forward your dossier as soon as possible.

What are the rates for specialist consultations?
Tariffs of specialist services are regulated by the Ministry of health and may be very different from what you are used to in your home country.

Prices are set by DBC (diagnosis-treatment-combination). For every diagnosis there is a different DBC, to which a package price is attached. Certain diagnoses may require more visits to the specialist, all these visits are then included in the price.  This price is based on an average treatment for the diagnosis the specialist has made. So, depending on the actual situation the bill may seem expensive or cheap to you. Only at the end of the DBC (when the specialist closes your 'case') an invoice will be made and sent to your insurance company. If you have another foreign insurance company then Bupa or van Breda intl we will ask you to pay at the clinic or sign a bank authorization (incasso-machtiging). You can always contact your  insurance company and ask them to make direct payment settlements with our clinic.

For more information about the DBC system (in Dutch only) click here (ctrl+click if you have a pop-up blocker)

Updated 10 Jan 2012