Regular physical exams and health screening tests are an important part of preventive health care. They can help ensure that common, serious diseases and conditions are detected - and treated.
In the Netherlands, preventive health check ups are nationally coordinated. You will receive an invitation from your GP or the local GGD (Municipal and Regional Health Service) when you are part of their target group. Together with the invitation, you will receive an informative flyer, a laboratory GGD form, and a laboratory card.
National preventive health check ups are done on:
Participation is on a voluntary basis. If you do not wish to participate, you can return the invitation to the laboratory indicating you do not wish the screening.
Risk group
Screening for other types of cancer is not routine in the Netherlands. However, if you are in a high-risk group (due to family history, previous illness, etc.) you will be monitored and screened regularly. Make sure to bring this up with your GP. He or she will refer you to a specialist if necessary.
The expenses
If you have received an invitation for a national preventive health check at your GP's office, then the screening is free of charge. If this check-up is done by a specialist, it is not always free. Discuss this with your specialist before making the appointment. If during your check-up other issues arise, the GP will charge you for the extra costs.
Private medical centres
There are also private medical centres where one can have total body scans done. Bear in mind that these are private centres! Insurers will not cover the costs unless your expat insurance from your own country will. For more information about a complete medical check up in Genk (Belgium, close to Maastricht) check the website www.carrat.info.
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