Which neck pain treatments does health insurance cover?

Most neck pain treatments are covered by your basic insurance, such as GP visits, physiotherapy and specialist care. For alternative treatments, such as chiropractic care, you usually need supplementary insurance. You do pay your deductible (€385 in 2024) and sometimes a small personal contribution. This way you know exactly what you pay yourself for different neck pain treatments.

Which neck pain treatments are covered by basic insurance?

All Dutch health insurers cover standard treatments for neck pain through basic insurance. This means you only pay your deductible, unless you have already used this for other healthcare costs this year.

The following neck pain treatments are automatically covered:

• GP visit – Fully covered, no deductible
• Physiotherapy – Up to 20 treatments per year after your deductible
• Specialist care – Neurologist, orthopaedist or rheumatologist after referral
• Prescription medication – Painkillers and anti-inflammatories
• Diagnostics – X-rays, MRI scans and CT scans

You don’t need to take out supplementary insurance for these treatments. They all fall under the mandatory basic insurance that every Dutch person has. However, you first pay your deductible of €385 (2024) before the reimbursement starts.

When do you need a referral for neck pain treatment?

For some neck pain treatments you need a referral from your GP, for others you don’t. This also determines how the reimbursement works and what you pay yourself.

Accessible without referral:

• GP – Always your first point of contact
• Physiotherapy – Directly accessible, but reimbursement limited to 20 treatments
• Chiropractic care – Only with supplementary insurance
• Osteopathy – Only with supplementary insurance

Referral required:

• Medical specialists (neurologist, orthopaedist, rheumatologist)
• Hospital investigations (MRI, CT scan)
• Additional physiotherapy (more than 20 treatments)

If you go to a specialist without a referral, you pay the full costs yourself. This can cost hundreds of euros per consultation. Therefore, always go to your GP first for neck pain that persists for more than a week.

What does neck pain treatment cost and how much do you pay yourself?

The costs for neck pain treatment vary greatly per treatment. You always pay your deductible of €385 first, after which your insurance covers most costs in full.

Practical cost breakdown:

• GP visit: €0 – Fully covered
• Physiotherapy: €40-50 per session – Fully covered after deductible
• Specialist consultation: €200-300 – Fully covered after deductible
• MRI scan: €400-600 – Fully covered after deductible
• Chiropractic care: €45-75 per session – Only with supplementary insurance

Your deductible applies for the whole year and for all healthcare costs combined. Have you already used this for other treatments? Then you pay nothing extra for neck pain treatment through basic insurance. For physiotherapy you sometimes pay a small personal contribution of €3-4 per treatment.

Which alternative treatments does supplementary insurance cover?

Alternative neck pain treatments, such as chiropractic care, osteopathy and acupuncture, are not covered by basic insurance. For this you need supplementary insurance that covers these treatments.

Common alternative treatments:

• Chiropractic care: €75-400 per year covered, depending on your package
• Osteopathy: €200-600 per year, often combined with chiropractic care
• Acupuncture: €150-300 per year for neck pain treatment
• Manual therapy: Sometimes covered separately alongside physiotherapy
• Dry needling: Often part of physiotherapy or separately covered

Pay close attention to the conditions of your supplementary insurance. Some insurers require a referral from your GP, others don’t. There may also be a waiting period for new policies. Always check whether your practitioner is registered with a recognised professional association.

How Ruggensteun helps with treating neck pain

We offer comprehensive neck pain treatment with modern techniques that target the cause of your complaints. Our chiropractors specialise in various treatment methods that can effectively relieve neck pain.

Our neck pain treatments include:

• Y-strap treatments for decompression of the cervical vertebrae
• CFR (Cranial Facial Release) for headaches related to neck complaints
• Dry needling for tense neck muscles
• Chiropractic adjustments for spinal alignment
• Treatment of acute neck injuries and chronic complaints

You can come to us directly, without a referral from your GP. Treatment costs are often (partially) covered by supplementary insurance. We’re happy to help you check your insurance conditions and ensure proper claims.

Do you have neck pain and want to know what the possibilities are? Contact us for a no-obligation consultation about your complaints and treatment options. On our website you can find more information about our practices in Eindhoven and Valkenswaard.