Health insurers and maternity care organizations are joining forces in an agreement for maternity care in the Netherlands

It is very important that everyone who needs maternity care can actually receive it. At the same time, there is a scarcity in maternity care in the Netherlands. How dire the situation is varies per region and per period. For example, the summer period from May to September is a challenging time for maternity care, due to the holiday period and the fact that most children are born in the summer and autumn. . For regions where there is a shortage, health insurers and healthcare providers are joining forces and doing everything they can to spread the maternity care hours as best as possible, so that at least 24 hours of maternity care, and if necessary digital care, can be provided.

Agreements for the distribution of maternity care
Bo Geboortezorg, signing on behalf of the maternity care organizations, and Zorgverzekeraars Nederland, signing on behalf of the health insurers, have made the following agreements in the agreement:

• The available capacity in maternity care hours is carefully spread, so that all insured persons who have given birth can receive at least 24 hours of maternity care. This only applies in the event of scarcity and therefore especially in regions where there is currently an acute shortage of maternity care.
• All insured persons are registered immediately as long as the preferred healthcare provider can guarantee at least 24 hours of care. If this is not possible, a regional waiting list is used to jointly resolve the distribution of care and spread of hours as maternity care providers in the region. The distribution takes into account the preferences of the maternity woman as much as possible.
• If regional distribution is not sufficient, the maternity care organizations in the region will contact the health insurer. Together they will make actions and additional agreements to be able to provide the necessary care.
• Every contracted maternity care provider is responsible for contributing to solving the capacity problem. Where they do not adhere to the agreements, health insurers can hold them accountable and, if necessary, reclaim part of the financial allowance that maternity care providers receive from health insurers.

Training Fund
Based on the agreement concluded in 2023, a training fund has been set up with which more than 250 additional student maternity nurses will now start training this spring. The other available training places will be distributed before the summer so that the training can start in September.

Clarity and tranquility
Clients of maternity care providers will be informed in a timely manner about the new agreements, which are expected to provide more peace of mind when receiving maternity care. Pregnant women are asked to register with one maternity care organization. Registering with multiple organizations at the same time creates an incorrect picture of the care to be provided. This actually stands in the way of an optimal distribution of worries and hours.