Identity document in healthcare
A duty to provide proof of identity applies in the healthcare sector. This means that you have to show a valid identity document to your care provider (such as your GP, dentist, pharmacy or hospital) when you receive medical care. To ensure that your care provider knows that you are who you say you are. The duty to provide proof of identity has been provided for in the Healthcare Insurance Act. The aim is to combat fraud in the healthcare sector.
On this page
This is what your care provider registers of you
During your first appointment with a healthcare provider, the care provider checks and registers:
- The type of identity document (such as passport or identity card) and the number of your identity document. This can also be done by having these data ‘read’ by a scanning device. Your care provider is not allowed to make a copy of your identity document.
- Your Citizen Service Number (Dutch BSN).
Patient card or hospital card
Hospitals may use a patient card with a photo, so you will not have to show your identity document at every visit. This is also called a hospital card. Having such a card is not mandatory. Do you not want a hospital card with your photo on it? Then you are allowed to refuse this. The hospital is obliged to inform you properly about this.
For healthcare providers: no copy ID to CIZ
Do you, as a care provider, apply to the Care Needs Assessment Centre (CIZ) for an indication for a patient? Then the CIZ is required by law to establish the identity of the applicant (your patient) on the basis of a valid identity document.
When doing so, the CIZ is not allowed to ask you for a copy, scan or photo (hereinafter: copy) of the identity document of the patient. Because as a care provider, you are not allowed to make a copy, not even for the CIZ. Besides, the CIZ cannot establish the patient's identity using a copy, because fraud can be committed with such a copy.
You have already checked the identity of your patient. The CIZ has to trust in your check. Where applicable, your patient can also give the CIZ access to the identity document.
You only provide the citizen service number (BSN) of your patient to the CIZ.