Determine your scale
Does your organisation have 100 or more care professionals? If not, explore a coalition with other providers.
Breakthrough funding (Doorbraakmiddelen) AZWA · mental health care
Breakthrough funding for speech-driven reporting in mental health care.
The Dutch Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS) is making €600 million available for 2027 to 2029 to scale up proven, labour-saving applications in care. Speech-driven reporting is one of the model plans, and Dutch mental health care (GGZ) is explicitly included. Applications can be submitted from 1 to 31 January 2027.
- €800m
- Total breakthrough funding for 2027–2029, for care and the social domain.
- €600m
- For the care route, through the health insurers.
- 100+
- Care professionals as the minimum scale for a mental health application, or together in a coalition.
- 31 Jan
- 2027: the submission portal closes. There is one joint submission moment.
What it is about
The money is intended for scaling up, not for trying out. An application that only covers a pilot will be rejected.
Source: zorgakkoorden.nl, as of 29 September 2026.
What it is
One-off funding to roll out proven applications widely.
The breakthrough funding comes from the Supplementary Care and Welfare Agreement (AZWA). In the care route, the coordinating and the second health insurer assess the application. The care provider and insurer then submit a joint application to the Dutch Healthcare Authority (NZa). The amount is normative: an average of €500 per care professional, on a scale between €400 and €600. Project management, training, legal preparation and implementation are reimbursed; licence costs are not.
Speech-driven reporting model plan
What the model plan asks of a mental health provider.
The requirements of the model plan, briefly summarised. Always read the model plan itself as well; it is authoritative.
Ambient listening. The session is automatically converted into structured text in the record. This is mandatory for mental health care; dictation alone is not sufficient.
Sufficient scale. At least 100 care professionals. Smaller providers can apply together, including across regions.
Health Insurance Act (Zvw). The model plan applies to care under the Zvw. Mental health care under the Long-term Care Act (Wlz), the Youth Act (Jeugdwet), the Social Support Act (Wmo) and forensic care are excluded, as are group sessions.
A reference. At least one comparable organisation where the application has already been scaled up.
A baseline measurement. Recorded before go-live. Without a demonstrable measurement, there is no payment.
Due care. A DPIA, NEN 7510, client consent at every contact and a clinician who checks the text.
Notal Care and the model plan
Made for exactly this application in mental health care.
Notal Care turns treatment sessions into usable clinical documentation and keeps the course of treatment coherent, from intake and diagnostics to evaluation. The clinician checks and finalises; Notal Care supports. This is how Notal Care fits what the model plan asks for: ambient listening in mental health care, with people in control.
Timeline
From preparation to payment.
The real work is in the preparation. If you want to submit in January, arrange the scale, the reference and the approach to the baseline measurement this autumn.
Now until December 2026
Prepare
Form your scale or coalition, find a reference, explore suppliers, prepare the baseline measurement and privacy.
1 January 2027
Submission portal opens
The portal is managed by Zorgverzekeraars Nederland.
31 January 2027
Portal closes
One joint submission moment, so it is not first come, first served. If the budget is exceeded, a reduction of up to 10% applies.
February 2027
Health insurers assess the applications
First half of March 2027
Feedback and budget check
End of April 2027
Contracts finalised and NZa decisions
31 December 2029
Results and spending completed
Source: rules and Q&A on breakthrough funding, zorgakkoorden.nl, 29 September 2026. Dates may still change.
Payment
Payment per milestone.
70% of the amount follows the effort, 30% depends on the result: the number of active users and the time saved compared with the target value.
| Milestone | What | Share |
|---|---|---|
| A1 | Approved plan | 15% |
| A2 | Ready for use and go-live, including baseline measurement | 30% |
| A3 | Interim evaluation | 15% |
| A4 | Final evaluation | 10% |
| B1 | Target value reached for ≥ 50% / ≥ 75% / 100% | 10% / 20% / 30% |
Source: Speech-driven reporting model plan (Modelplan Spraakgestuurd rapporteren), version 29 September 2026.
Prepare
Six steps before January.
A practical order for completing the application.
Explore suppliers
A chosen supplier is not a strict requirement; selection may take place in the first phase. Clarity does help the plan.
Find a reference
A comparable organisation where speech-driven reporting has already been scaled up.
Record the baseline measurement
How much time does documentation take now? Without a baseline measurement, there is no payment.
Arrange privacy and the AI Act
DPIA, NEN 7510, client consent and an AI Act classification with the supplier and a lawyer.
Plan EHR and implementation
The EHR integration is part of go-live. Also describe how you will deal with lock-in and supplier failure.
Frequently asked questions
Questions about the breakthrough funding.
Do we need to have chosen a supplier already?
No. The model plan asks about the supplier if it is already known, and supplier selection may take place in the first phase. A comparable reference organisation is, however, mandatory.
Is a smaller mental health practice eligible?
Yes, together with other providers. A coalition must have at least 100 care professionals in total and may come from different regions. Each applicant must, however, be a care provider under the Health Insurance Act (Zvw).
Are licence costs reimbursed?
No, not even in the first year. One-off costs such as project management, training, legal preparation and the implementation itself are reimbursed.
Does our health insurer need to be involved beforehand?
No. The coordinating and the second health insurer assess the application after submission. The provider and insurer then submit a joint application to the NZa.
Are group sessions included?
No. Group sessions in mental health care fall outside the model plan. Speech-driven advice in mental health care is allowed.
When must the application be submitted?
The portal is open from 1 to 31 January 2027. There is one joint submission moment; submitting earlier does not give priority.
Schedule an exploratory call
Leave your details. We will contact you to see whether and how Notal Care fits into your application.
Sending failed. Please try again or email info@notal.nl.
In the call
- Does your organisation fit within the model plan?
- What does the baseline measurement require of you?
- How Notal Care works in your treatment practice
Sources
This page is a summary and not legal advice. The official documents are authoritative.