Gastric Bypass Patients Must Take Vitamin D and Calcium – Why Cutting Reimbursement Is a Costly Mistake

After a gastric bypass, patients must take vitamin D and calcium. This is no longer reimbursed today. Completely wrong, say gastroenterologist Paul van de Meeberg and colleagues. This will not save money, but it will cost a lot of money.

Since 1 January 2023, vitamin D is no longer reimbursed from the basic package. This also applies to the combined calcium + vitamin D tablets. According to the Zorginstituut, vitamin D is available from pharmacies for EUR 7.30 per year and EUR 129 million per year (the cost of vitamin D on prescription is ten times more expensive than buying it yourself due to the high delivery costs from the pharmacy) can be saved by taking vitamin D from the basic package and spending it on care ‘for which it is necessary to insure it’. The Zorginstituut will monitor the effect of the measure in practice.