Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, hand therapy works "evidence-based." Although hand therapy can be different for each individual, we work according to guidelines based on scientific research. We naturally keep this up to date. Our therapists are post-graduate trained in hand therapy. Through our close cooperation with general practitioners and specialists, we achieve optimal results. Many treatments follow protocols that have been scientifically proven effective.

Private clinics usually have their own contract arrangements with health insurers and often charge based on rehabilitation pathways. Sometimes costs are also charged through regular primary care occupational therapy and/or physical therapy. In principle, after you have been operated on in a clinic, you are free to do the hand therapy through regular primary care in our practice, for example because it is closer. Please do notify the clinic properly so that your occupational therapy hours (10 per year) remain available for treatment in our practice. Note: Are you insured with Zilveren Kruis in 2024 and are you going to Xpert Clinic for surgery on your hand/wrist? Check carefully with Zilveren Kruis what the options are for possible after-treatment through the first line. Due to a contractual agreement between both parties "the bundle fee", you may be obliged to follow hand therapy at Xpert. In that case, you are not free to choose another hand therapist. Check with Zilveren Kruis if you prefer to follow hand therapy elsewhere.

We do all post-treatment after (emergency) surgery, or for the prevention of surgery. In the hospital itself, usually only limited post-treatment is possible. You will be referred to our practice for first-line follow-up treatment. We cooperate with all hospitals, and maintain contact with your medical specialist.

You may come to us without a referral. Occupational therapy is directly accessible from your basic insurance. However, your general practitioner is your first point of contact. Of course, in case of doubt, we can also contact your GP ourselves, for example, if we suspect that further examination in a hospital is necessary. If you come from the hospital or a clinic, you will almost always be given a referral so that we know what the specialist has done, and expects from us. We also keep in touch with your referring physician about this.

Our paramedic prior training is another bachelor's/master's degree (occupational therapy). Both are paramedics. The specialization "hand therapy" is the same for physical therapy as occupational therapy. Specifically, the difference is that physical therapists do not make splints and look purely at the physical complaint. However, splints are part of treatment under many guidelines. If a physical therapist is really a hand therapist, he/she will have to follow the same guidelines, and thus have the splint made elsewhere (instrument maker). The difference between occupational therapy and physical therapy is particularly visible in complaints without a clear diagnosis (overuse, RSI/CANS). This is because we then also look at ergonomics and what you do, and want to be able to do again. So we do not simply massage or exercise strength, as this can be counterproductive.

We work as cost-efficiently as possible and try to make the best use of technical solutions to keep costs down. This is also expected of us by your health insurance company. We arrange our schedules so that we return calls when we have time in our schedules to do so. It is not possible to answer the phone directly while we are treating. Preferably, we communicate digitally by mail. This is faster, more focused and we can immediately get your file. This saves time that we can spend on your treatment.

We do not do home visits. We treat at practices only. For home occupational therapy, for example, home modifications, WMO requests, PGB questions or elderly occupational therapy, we are happy to refer you to our fellow occupational therapists in town.

Yes, by all insurers. You do not need additional insurance to be reimbursed. Hand therapy is a specialization within occupational therapy, and because of its effective and cost-saving methods, it is included in your insurance's basic package. You will be reimbursed for 10 hours per calendar year. Of course, the legally determined deductible applies.

Basic insurance is mandatory. If you are nevertheless uninsured, you can receive a fine and still be compulsorily insured by the CAK. If you are not insured, you will have to pay EUR 47.50 per 30 minutes (2024). As soon as you are insured, we will claim the costs through your insurance from the registration date. We do NOT bill the CAK. If necessary, you can discuss with them whether you can submit our invoice.

If you live abroad, and are here temporarily you don't have Dutch insurance. In that case, you will have to pay us directly. Of course we will give you an invoice, which you might use to reclaim it with your insurance company abroad. The costs are EUR 47,50 per 30 minutes (2024). If we need to make splints, they will be charged separately.

If you are a registered refugee, your costs are covered by "Regeling Medische Zorg Asielzoekers", and we can claim your costs directly. If you are not registered and not covered, you'll have to pay us upfront. Then the costs are EUR 47,50 for 30 minutes (2024). We do not send in our invoices to CAK or other organisations that might help you with paying. You can use our invoices after payment to see if you apply for a reclaim elsewhere.

When giving conservative therapy, we will look with you at how the complaint arises. Often this is related to your daily activities, the way you do what you have to do every day. We try to work with you to make adjustments in behavior, attitude, and help you learn new methods. If necessary, we can make a splint. In this way we try to prevent your symptoms from worsening and an intervention becoming necessary. Often you will discuss this with your general practitioner, and he or she will advise you to go through this process first, before considering options such as injections or surgery.

We make all splints needed during treatments in house. These splints are meant to be used for a limited time, where we continue to monitor you and provide therapy with exercises and use. Sometimes splints need to be adjusted and modified, or replaced, during treatments. If you need long-term (durable) splints, a referral from a specialist is usually needed to have a splint made at an instrument maker (e.g., Silversplints).

You can come to us for any hand and wrist treatment. Trigger finger, Mallet finger, CTS, Dupuytren, De Quervain, Osteoarthritis, overuse, sports injury etc. Also after surgery in hospital or clinic.

Usually an appointment lasts 30 minutes. Occasionally, for example in very complex injuries, it may be 60 minutes.