Your rights when facing a waitlist
Waitlist mediation: getting seen sooner when the wait is long
Stuck on a hospital waitlist? Your health insurer will help you find a faster provider — for free, while you keep your own insurance. It’s called wachtlijstbemiddeling (waitlist mediation), and many people don’t know it exists.
What is waitlist mediation?
Every health insurer in the Netherlands offers waitlist mediation (zorgbemiddeling). A care advisor at your insurer finds a hospital or clinic with a shorter wait — sometimes one you hadn’t considered. It’s free, it doesn’t count towards your deductible, and you stay with your own insurer.
When is your wait too long? The treeknorm
Dutch healthcare has agreed maximum acceptable waiting times: the treeknorm. If your wait exceeds it, that’s a good reason to request waitlist mediation.
| Type of care | Treeknorm |
|---|---|
| First outpatient visit | 4 weeks (28 days) |
| Diagnostics or tests | 4 weeks (28 days) |
| Treatment or surgery | 7 weeks (49 days) |
| Mental health treatment | 14 weeks (98 days) |
Insurers have a duty of care (zorgplicht): they must ensure you can be seen within a reasonable time.
How to request waitlist mediation
- 1
Call your insurer’s care advisor
The number is on your insurance card or your insurer’s website, under ‘zorgbemiddeling’ or ‘wachtlijstbemiddeling’.
- 2
Tell them what you need
Your specialty or treatment and your GP referral.
- 3
They find a faster spot
The advisor looks for a contracted provider with a shorter wait.
- 4
You decide
You’re never obliged. You can also stay on your current waitlist.
First, compare the waiting times yourself
Want to know where you’ll be seen soonest? Compare which hospital has the shortest wait per specialty:
Frequently asked questions
- Does waitlist mediation cost anything?
- No. It’s a free service from your insurer and it doesn’t count towards your deductible.
- Do I have to switch insurers?
- No. You stay with your own insurer; they simply help you find a faster provider.
- Does it work for mental health care?
- Yes. You can request waitlist mediation for mental health care too. The treeknorm for treatment is 14 weeks.
- What if my insurer can’t find a faster spot?
- Then you simply stay on your current waitlist. You lose nothing by asking.
- Do I need a referral?
- For hospital care you usually need a GP referral. Keep it to hand when you call.
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Long waiting time? Compare health insurance
A different insurer may offer shorter wait times or better coverage. Compare now and discover your options.
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