In the Netherlands, GP care is the first point of contact for most health issues. To keep healthcare accessible and affordable, specialist care is only accessed when medically necessary. This is known as appropriate care, and GPs act as gatekeepers to secondary and mental healthcare.
We follow national agreements and clinical protocols in collaboration with specialists. Conditions that can be managed in general practice are treated within the practice. If a diagnosis is unclear, treatment is insufficient, or specialist expertise is required, we will provide a referral based on medical indication.
Specialist care is only reimbursed by health insurers with a valid GP referral (except in emergencies).
Without a referral, costs may be charged to the patient.
Please note that we cannot issue retrospective referrals after a patient has independently scheduled a specialist appointment.
No referral is required for follow-up consultations or ongoing specialist treatment. Referrals are also not needed for primary care services such as physiotherapy, speech therapy, podiatry, or dietetics. If an optician advises ophthalmology follow-up, they will arrange the referral.
More information: https://verwijsafspraken.nl/