There is a conflict about your work incapacity or reintegration. An independent opinion from the UWV can make the difference. But how do you apply, what does it cost, and how do you prepare?
You disagree with the company doctor who says you are fit to work. Or your employer believes you are not cooperating sufficiently with reintegration. Or a salary stop is being threatened. Positions are fixed and an independent opinion is needed to break the impasse.
The UWV expert opinion is designed precisely for this. An insurance physician — fully independent of your employer — assesses your situation and provides an opinion that carries significant weight with judges and the UWV itself.
It is a stronger step than a second opinion. It costs EUR 100, but that may be the best investment you make in your employment law position.
Read here how to apply, what to expect, and how to best prepare. Also see the detailed page about the UWV expert opinion.
Are you able to perform your own work? This is the most commonly requested expert opinion in a disagreement with the company doctor. The insurance physician independently assesses your work capacity.
Are you doing enough for your reintegration? Relevant when your employer believes you are not cooperating and threatens a salary suspension. The UWV assesses whether your efforts are sufficient.
Is the work your employer offers suitable for your limitations? Useful when you doubt whether the offered tasks are appropriate for your situation, for example with too-fast reintegration.
The expert opinion costs EUR 100 for employees. You pay this yourself. Your employer can also request an expert opinion — then it costs EUR 400. The costs are independent of the outcome: you pay even if the opinion is not in your favour.
Expect a timeline of 4 to 6 weeks, sometimes longer. During that time, nothing changes legally: the company doctor's assessment remains in effect. But the fact that you have requested an expert opinion shows that you take the conflict seriously.
The expert opinion is formally an advisory opinion. But judges attach great value to it. If the expert opinion supports you, your employer has a weak legal position to proceed with a salary stop or to blame you for non-cooperation.
The UWV opinion is independent — which may mean it agrees with the company doctor. Prepare for this possibility and discuss with a legal adviser what the consequences are if the opinion is not in your favour. In any case, the opinion provides clarity.
You request the expert opinion through the form on uwv.nl. Indicate which type of opinion you want (fitness, reintegration, suitable work) and briefly describe your situation.
Send the UWV relevant documents: the company doctor's assessment, letters from your treating physicians, the action plan, and any correspondence with your employer. The more complete, the better.
After the application, you receive a payment request. Only after payment is the application processed. Keep the payment receipt.
You are invited for a consultation with a UWV insurance physician. Prepare well: write down your complaints, bring medical information, and be honest about what you can and cannot do.
You and your employer receive the expert opinion. The opinion contains the insurance physician's conclusion and reasoning. Your employer receives a summary, not the full medical information.
The opinion provides clarity. If it favours you, you can hold your employer to it. If it does not favour you, discuss with a legal adviser what your options are.
"The company doctor says I can work. My employer threatens a salary stop. I am sure I cannot work. How do I prove it?"
The expert opinion is the strongest instrument for this. If the insurance physician rules that you are unfit for work, your employer has a weak position for the salary stop. Request it as soon as possible — the timeline is several weeks.
"I am not sure whether I truly cannot work, but it does not feel right. Is an expert opinion worthwhile then?"
When in doubt, a second opinion is a better first step. It costs you nothing and gives you a second view. The expert opinion is stronger but costs EUR 100, and an unfavourable opinion can weaken your position. Discuss it with a legal adviser.
"I requested the expert opinion but have been waiting six weeks. Meanwhile my salary is at risk."
Unfortunately, longer timelines are not uncommon. But the fact that you requested it shows your employer you are serious. Inform your employer in writing that you are awaiting the opinion. An employer who imposes sanctions despite a pending expert opinion takes a legal risk.
"The UWV agrees with the company doctor. What can I do now?"
This is a setback, but not the end. The opinion provides clarity about your position. You can now realistically assess your options: resuming work as advised, negotiating adapted duties, or — if the situation is at an impasse — discussing whether a settlement agreement is an option.
Requesting an expert opinion sounds simple, but the preparation makes the difference. Which type do you request? Which documents do you include? How do you prepare for the consultation with the insurance physician?
MediRights helps you with every step. We first assess whether an expert opinion is the right route — sometimes a second opinion is better, sometimes both are needed. We then guide the application and ensure you are optimally prepared.
After the opinion, we advise on the follow-up strategy. Whether it favours you or not — there are always options, and we help you choose the right one.
Get advice on the best approach. Good preparation increases your chances of a favourable opinion.
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