default mobile hero background image

Personal Budget (Zvw-pgb)

If you have been assessed as eligible for home nursing and care, you may, under certain conditions, use a personal budget (Zvw-pgb). With the pgb, you can arrange your own care. 

What is a personal budget?

Instead of being entitled to care services, you may be eligible for a personal budget. In that case, you will receive a sum of money to use to purchase nursing and care services yourself. Special conditions apply to eligibility for the personal budget. These are outlined in the Zvw-pgb Regulations (in Dutch). If the costs you incur for nursing and care exceed the reimbursement provided by the personal budget, you will be responsible for paying the difference between the costs and the personal budget.

A summary of several important conditions is provided on this page. This information is not exhaustive. Therefore, always consult the Zvw-pgb Regulations if you wish to use a personal budget. 

Who is eligible for a Zwv-pgb?

You are eligible for the Zwv-pgb if you require nursing and care typically provided by nurses, where such care is related to a need for medical care or a high risk of requiring it. The care does not involve a residential stay and does not include postpartum care. This care does not include caregiving activities for minors aimed at addressing a lack of self-reliance in activities of daily living (ADL).

In addition, you must:

  • be in need of nursing and/or care on a long-term basis, i.e., for more than 1 year

or

  • be in need of palliative terminal care (PTZ). This means that your treating physician has determined that your estimated life expectancy is less than 3 months

The following conditions apply:

  • You are able, on your own or with the help of a (legal) representative, to fulfill the responsibilities associated with the Zwv-pgb community nursing program
  • You are able, on your own or with the help of a (legal) representative, to demonstrate that you wish to and are able to receive care through a Zwv-pgb
  • You are able to manage the care providers you have contracted and coordinate their activities in such a way that responsible care is or will be provided
  • You are able to use the Zwv-pgb to provide adequate, high-quality care in an effective manner

How can you apply for a Zwv-pgb?

To apply for a Zwv-pgb, please use the application form. You can also request the application form from us by phone or in writing. The application form consists of two parts:

  • Part 1: the nursing section. This section is completed by the assessing nurse. You must submit the care plan as an attachment to Part 1. The assessment for insured individuals over the age of 18 must be conducted by a community nurse with a bachelor’s degree (HBO), registered under the BIG Act. The assessment for insured individuals under the age of 18 must be conducted by a pediatric nurse with a bachelor’s degree (HBO), preferably using the Medical Child Care System (MKS). The pediatric nurse with a bachelor’s degree must be employed by a care provider affiliated with the Branch Association for Integrated Child Care (BINKZ). The Zwv-pgb regulations outline all the conditions that an assessment must meet.
  • Part 2: The Insured’s Section. You or your (legal) representative must complete this section. Based on the indicated hours of nursing and care, you must specify which care providers you intend to use. You must also confirm that you agree to the terms, rights, and obligations associated with the Zwv-pgb.

You can send the forms, along with any attachments, to:

HollandZorg
Zvv-pgb Application
P.O. Box 166
7400 AD Deventer

Or to toestemming@salland.nl, stating “Zvv-pgb application.”

Once we receive the fully completed and signed forms, we will review your application. You will then receive a written response from us as soon as possible. The processing time for the application is a maximum of 6 weeks (provided all required information has been submitted correctly). If the application form is not fully completed and signed, we will not process your application.

With the Zwv-pgb, you can choose from whom you purchase care. We distinguish between formal care providers and informal care providers. The regulations outline the conditions that formal care providers must meet. To purchase care, you enter into an agreement with the care provider. A sample agreement is available on the SVB website.

Other Zvw-pgb forms (only in Dutch):

Email us the completed forms. Please note: We only accept PDF files via email; individual photos will not be accepted.

What should you do if you are staying abroad temporarily?

If you wish to hire foreign healthcare providers, you must submit a written request to us in advance. Only after we have given our written approval can invoices from foreign healthcare providers be submitted to us for reimbursement. When submitting a written request for care abroad, please include the following documents:

  • a valid care assessment decision/care plan a quote specifying the type of care to be provided, the period for which care is requested, the healthcare providers involved, and the costs of this care.

What should you do if you switch to a different health insurer?

Are you switching to a different health insurer and is your Zwv-pgb approval still valid? In that case, the new health insurer will take over the approval (valid until the stated end date of the care assessment). The stated number of hours for nursing and care remains the same. The amount of reimbursement for these hours may vary, as each health insurer uses its own rates. You should keep this approval as long as it is valid. A new health insurer may ask to see it.

What should you do when switching from another health insurer to HollandZorg?

Are you switching to HollandZorg and is your Zwv-pgb allocation, as determined by the other health insurer, still valid? In that case, HollandZorg will take over the allocation (valid until the stated end date of the assessment). The stated number of hours for nursing and care will remain the same. The amount of reimbursement for these hours may vary, as each health insurer applies its own rates. You are responsible for ensuring that HollandZorg receives the approval statement. You can send the approval statement to the address listed above.