The Dutch Healthcare Authority (NZa) has published the Oral Healthcare Regulation 2027, the dental care policy rule and the dental care performance and tariff decision. The new rules take effect on 1 January 2027. Alongside annual tariff adjustments, they introduce changes to services, billing codes and invoicing rules.
What is changing? Following its cost-price study, the NZa has adjusted several services. Some billing codes will be discontinued and incorporated into other services, meaning certain treatments will be billed as integrated, all-in services. A number of service descriptions have also been clarified and maximum tariffs for 2027 have been set.
Dental practices will need to adapt their processes and software in time. For suppliers of dental products, equipment, materials and digital solutions, this is an important opportunity to plan ahead with customers.
The changes to the special dentistry policy rule concern the standard number of working hours per full-time dentist, the audit protocol for retrospective costing, the billing of implant overhead costs and a reference to an article of the Healthcare Market Regulation Act.
The NZa has published the full regulations, including the performance and tariff decision and an explanation of the changes.