The following changes apply to the basic insurances Zorg Zeker Policy and Zorg Vrij Policy

• More help with smoking cessation

  Starting in 2026, you will be able to participate in a smoking cessation programme three times per calendar year. This is fully reimbursed from the basic insurance. This will allow you to get help more quickly if you are unable to stop. Up to now, a maximum of one programme per calendar year has been reimbursed. Research shows that people are more likely to successfully quit if they receive support more often.
• No excess in case of consultation and consultation advice

  As from 2026, a consultation and consultation advice will no longer fall under the excess. This also applies to the exploratory interview in the mental health care unit. In the case of a consultation and advice from a consultant, a doctor can request advice from another healthcare provider. This allows quick determination of the patient’s needs. The aim is to provide patients with the right care as quickly as possible and to reduce the pressure on healthcare.
• Long-term exercise therapy in axial spondyloarthritis reimbursed

  Do you have axial spondyloarthritis (a form of inflammatory rheumatism with pelvic and spinal complaints) and severe limitations in everyday life? You will be reimbursed for long-term exercise therapy starting in 2026. This care can be provided by both a physiotherapist or a remedial therapist. Since it has been proven that the remedial therapy helps with exercise and reduces pain, this care will from now on be reimbursed from the first treatment under the basic insurance.
• More caregivers may refer to specialist care

  From 2026, the following healthcare providers may also refer you to specialist medical care:

  • a forensic doctor or substance abuse specialist in the event of physical complaints
  • a midwife for prenatal screening

  You do not always have to go to your GP first. This makes access to the right care faster and easier.

Changes to supplementary insurance

The following changes apply to AV-Basis, AV-Sure, AV-Standaard, AV-Top, AV-Plus, AV-GeZZin and AV-Totaal

• No extra compensation for smoking cessation programme

  From 2026, you will be able to participate in a smoking cessation programme three times a year. This is fully reimbursed from the basic insurance. As a result, additional compensation from the supplementary insurance is no longer required.
• AGB code mandatory on invoice for paramedical care

  As from 2026, every invoice for paramedical care (skin therapy, dietetics, occupational therapy, foot care and podology) must include the AGB code of the care provider. This has to do with checking whether the treatment has been carried out in accordance with the conditions.
• Allowance for alternative medicines adjusted

  From 2026, alternative medicines will only be reimbursed if they:

  • are registered in the Netherlands as a homeopathic or anthroposophic medicinal product under the Medicines Act;
  • are included in the G Standard of the Z index. Your doctor or pharmacist may check this for you;
  • are supplied by a pharmacist or dispensing general practitioner in the Netherlands.

  This makes it clear that these are approved medicines.

• Preventive course ‘Weight loss when overweight’ reimbursed once

  From 2026, assistance with losing weight will be reimbursed once. This allowance is intended to help you on your way to a healthier lifestyle. There is the combined lifestyle intervention (CLI) for long-term guidance. This is reimbursed from the basic insurance.
• Fall prevention (low and medium fall risk) no longer reimbursed from the supplementary insurance

  In recent years, fall prevention in the case of low and medium fall risk has been compensated by the supplementary insurance as an additional safety net. From now on, you can contact your municipality for this. If there is a high fall risk with underlying problems, fall prevention is compensated from the basic insurance. The risk of falling is determined with a test by the general practitioner or another healthcare professional, such as the district nurse, geriatric care specialist or a physiotherapist.

These changes apply to AV-Top, AV-Plus, AV-GeZZin and AV-Totaal

• Reimbursement of substitute informal care becomes a fixed budget

  As from 2026, a fixed annual budget of up to €3,500 for replacement informal care will apply instead of compensation of up to 15 days. The allowance can be used for 24-hour care, night shifts or half days. This makes it clear to everyone what compensation applies, regardless of the form of substitute informal care you choose.
• New: substitute informal care paid for by ZorgMies

  From 2026, you will also be able to contact ZorgMies for substitute informal care. If they arrange and claim substitute informal care, the costs will be reimbursed up to the fixed annual budget of a maximum of €3,500.

This change applies to AV-Sure, AV-Top, AV-GeZZin and AV-Totaal

• Acne treatment only reimbursed from care profile 2

  From 2026, acne treatment will only be reimbursed for care profile 2 or higher. This treatment should only be given by a skin therapist who also establishes the care profile. Treatments by a beautician (care profile 1) are no longer reimbursed.

This change applies to AV-Top, AV-GeZZin and AV-Totaal

• Extended maternity care no longer in supplementary insurance

  From 2026, extended maternity care (extra care after the standard maternity period) will no longer be reimbursed under the supplementary insurance. Extended maternity care can already be reimbursed from the basic insurance.