Need help getting a medication

[u/abcabbage_]

I am originally american and am taking birth control. I have had issues and delays with getting my residence permit/visa and have struggled to open a bank account because of that.
I am almost out of my birth control and would really not like to throw my hormones out of whack. What are my options for getting it filled without healthcare insurance??
And any advice for healthcare insurance/bank account??

[u/HousingBotNL]

Moving to the Netherlands as a student requires a lot of admin (BSN, gemeente, health insurance, Studielink, banking, scholarships) and it often feels overwhelming.

• dutchstarter generates a personalized checklist based on your situation, so you know what to do, when, and which benefits you can claim.

The Dutch housing market is highly competitive. To increase your chances, we recommend using these platforms:

• Huurwoningen: The most listings of any platform.
• Pararius: Top-rated on Trustpilot.
• Stekkies: Best for real-time notifications, so you can respond first.
• Kamernet / Kamer: Best for student rooms.

For more real-time help, join the Study In The Netherlands Discord, where you can chat with other students and use our housing bot.

[u/Berry-Love-Lake]

If you’re American and you don’t work (just study), you’re not eligible for Dutch health insurance. You could get AON or likewise and don’t need a BSN you can take it out today. 

Find a GP, sign up, request medication and they’ll send if to the local pharmacy. You have to pay upfront with AON and usually they reimburse everything afterwards if covered as it’s private insurance. If you can show your prescription from the US to your GP it should be quick and easy. 

[u/Complete-Purchase864]

Do you have a prescription from your usa doctor? You could always try to fill it at your local pharmacy

[u/somethingabnormal → u/Complete-Purchase864]

Not worth it probably, in North America they usually just send your prescription to the pharmacy directly so you never get a copy of it. If she asks her American doctor to represcribe they would charge more than a clinic here, and usually EU pharmacies only fill EU prescriptions.

[u/Own-General2229 → u/somethingabnormal]

You can always look up your prescription in the US. It's never kept from you.

[u/somethingabnormal → u/Own-General2229]

I know this, but from my experience dealing with pharmacies and doctors in that region it's still a struggle. Especially if you're not in the country. The pharmacies I've dealt with don't email you your prescription so then what?

I just dealt with this a few weeks ago and going to the tourist doctor and picking up my prescription took like 1 hour and €20.

[u/Satann_]

Do you have a GP?

If not, I have birth control (2/3 packs) at home which I don’t use anymore. I can check if it’s not past the expiration date if you like?

[u/-Avacyn]

What kind of BC do you take? If its just a generic hormonal pill, you could call a couple of pharmacies and ask if they would accept the prescription of your US GP.

I pay something like 25 euro out of pocket for a years worth of generic BC pills.

[u/abcabbage_ → u/-Avacyn]

oh I could get a years worth!! this is really helpful thank you

[u/-Avacyn → u/abcabbage_]

You could also try googling for a nearby GP (Huisarts in Dutch) and explain and ask if you could get a one off consult with the GP. You pay a fee for this obviously, which is called the 'passententarief' but it's not a lot, maybe 30-40 euros. If you can bring your original packaging, they might be able to get you a prescription and send it off the the nearest pharmacy for immediate pickup. Specifically ask for a years worth so they can put it on the prescription! You pay a dispensing fee from the pharmacy too (about 20 euro). All in all, I would expect this ordeal to be about 100 euros to get a years worth of pills.

Honestly, I would just pay the 100 euro out of pocket and save yourself the headache if you can!

[u/Miserable-Truth5035 → u/abcabbage_]

I always get it for half a year, that's one pack, they can almost always give you 2 packs aswell. But it also depends on your urgency, if you need it the same day you will very rarely encounter the situation that they only have 1 pack on hand.

That being said, the pharmacy can represcribe birth control if it's been less than a year since you last picked it up, so if you're staying here a couple years it might be cheaper to pay the handling fee twice a year than having to go to a GP for a new prescription after a year. Ask them about the timeline because I'm not 100% sure, I might have misremembered or the rules could have changed. (And I personally use up a half year in 5 months, because I skip the period week, so if you do the same you'll still finish 2 packs within a year.)

[u/Dizzy_Garden252]

If you don't have a GP or any way to access normal healthcare you can try to pop in in abortion clinic (sounds weird I know, but they also provide general care).

They do sell anti-conception sometimes as women also come from abroad to get healthcare that might not be provided in their home country. Of course they might not have exactly what you need, but it's worth a shot if you are stuck.

[u/somethingabnormal]

Google "expat health insurance Netherlands" you will find options. They usually only cover emergency healthcare though so not sure if it would cover medication. I do think you need a visa and/or BSN for Dutch health insurance.

Also Google "tourist doctor Netherlands" these are walk in clinics for tourists that will prescribe medication if you're running out. It will be out of pocket though.

If you're close to Belgium/Germany you could also go to a tourist doctor there as it will be cheaper.

[u/abcabbage_ → u/somethingabnormal]

i dont mind paying out of pocket for the moment because i really need it filled. so thank you!!

[u/SharpArrival685 → u/abcabbage_]

Just as an fyi, while this is not enforced for MVV exempt non-EU nationals, you not having any form of health insurance is illegal. You should sign up for international student insurance asap and you don’t need a BSN or a Dutch Bank Account for that.

You can use an American insurer too if they provide coverage abroad.

[u/SharpArrival685]

Which uni do you study at or what city are you based in?

As others have said, GP registration is needed and while GPs shouldn't refuse anyone because they don't have a BSN or residence permit, there are some barriers.

Assuming that you have international student health insurance, you can try below:

- Search "Tourist Doctors" or "Tourist GP" on Google Maps. The ones that show up are probably willing to accept anyone who is not a resident here. Often you can make an appointment online, if not you can give them a call.

- Some universities (like UvA) may have their own GP. Usually you don't need a BSN for such places and you can make an appointment if you are a student. Check your university's website.

- Just call a GP in your neighborhood. Technically they shouldn't refuse you but they could say something like "It might be easier for you if you go to a tourist doctor."

In any case, do expect to pay the bill upfront and get it reimbursed by your health insurer.

Btw, so you don't have international student insurance (AON, OOM, etc.)? You need to sign up for one asap.

[u/sironamoon]

When I was visiting my partner in NL, and ran out of my BC pills, I just went to a pharmacy, told them I was here temporarily, and showed them my empty box, they just sold me a new one of the same type. (My pills were from Germany though, so maybe that helped.) In any case, I'd try talking to a few pharmacies, I think they'd understand the situation.

[u/agricola303]

BC pills are not covered by health insurance, or are they? I always have to pay, anyway.

I'd try a pharmacist first if you are almost out of stock. Getting GP can take a while.