Your hormones say a lot about how you feel, and sometimes you just want clarity. A hormone test you arrange yourself, without a referral, usually isn't covered by basic insurance. You pay for it yourself. At the same time, it doesn't touch your 385-euro deductible, because you settle directly.
Whether that's expensive or smart depends on your situation. Here's the calm version.
Is a hormone test covered by basic insurance?
Usually not. Basic insurance covers testing that's medically necessary, requested by a doctor. A hormone test on your own initiative, without a complaint or referral, falls outside that. You pay for it yourself.
This isn't one insurer's quirk, but how the basic package is built. Testing without a medical indication simply isn't in it.
What is the deductible and when do you pay it?
The deductible (eigen risico) is the amount you pay yourself before your insurer covers care from the basic package. In 2026 that's 385 euros (Rijksoverheid). From 2027 it drops to 165 euros.
A visit to your GP sits outside the deductible. A hormone test you arrange yourself at a private provider is entirely separate from this, because you pay the provider directly.
Does a hormone test via the GP count toward your deductible?
Usually yes, and that surprises many women. The conversation with the GP is free, but if the GP has blood drawn at a laboratory, that's a separate care item. It counts until you've used up the 385 euros.
Zilveren Kruis puts it plainly: laboratory testing is covered by basic insurance, which is why you pay your deductible for it (Zilveren Kruis). If you haven't touched your deductible, you still pay the first lab costs yourself.
Reimbursement by route: the overview
It depends on the route you take. This table sets the four most common situations side by side, so you can see where the costs land.
| Route | Reimbursed? | Deductible |
|---|---|---|
| Lab via the GP | Yes, from basic insurance | Usually counts, up to 385 euros |
| Private, without referral | No, you pay yourself | Not applicable |
| Supplementary insurance | Sometimes, under conditions | Doesn't apply to supplementary |
| At the hospital | Yes, on referral | Counts, up to 385 euros |
The common thread: free rarely exists. Either you pay through your deductible, or you pay a provider directly.
Does supplementary insurance reimburse a hormone test?
Sometimes, but don't count on it blindly. Some supplementary packages reimburse a preventive test or a health check, often up to a fixed amount per year. The conditions vary a lot by insurer and by package.
If you want to use this, check your policy conditions first. Watch for whether a specific provider, a referral or a maximum amount is required.
Is cheap also reliable?
Price isn't the only thing that counts. The RIVM is mainly critical of standalone self-tests, which often have little data on how well they measure (RIVM, 2022). A venous draw at a location, analysed by an accredited lab, removes much of that doubt.
For the calm that a reliable result gives you, the draw method is just as important as the price.
When is self-testing cheaper?
More often than you'd think. If your deductible is still open, the GP route means you pay the first lab costs yourself anyway, up to 385 euros. A targeted hormone test can then come out cheaper overall, especially if you only want to discover a few values.
Calm and control come on top of that. No conversation first, no waiting time, and you choose what's measured. Want to know how it works in practice? Read testing hormones without a GP. Choosing a reliable lab is covered in a reliable hormone test near you. And the whole picture is in our guide on hormone testing for women.
Want to discover your hormones in a targeted way? Look at the women's hormones test, with a fixed price and a doctor's report with your result.
Frequently asked questions about reimbursement
Is a preventive hormone test reimbursed?
Usually not. A test on your own initiative, without medical necessity, isn't in basic insurance. You pay for it yourself.
Does a hormone test via the GP count toward my deductible?
Usually yes. The conversation is free, but the lab counts until you've used up the 385 euros.
Is the deductible dropping in 2027?
Yes. The mandatory deductible falls from 385 euros in 2026 to 165 euros from 2027.
When is paying yourself cheaper?
When your deductible is still open. Then the GP route means you pay the first lab costs yourself anyway, and a targeted test can come out cheaper.
Every blood test result at Lunara includes a professional assessment from a BIG-registered doctor. For treatment decisions, discuss your results with your GP.
References
- Rijksoverheid. When do I pay a deductible for my care? rijksoverheid.nl, accessed 2026.
- Zilveren Kruis. Is laboratory testing reimbursed? zilverenkruis.nl, accessed 2026.
- RIVM. Reliability of health tests. rivm.nl/gezondheidstesten/betrouwbaarheid, 2022.
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