Some 60% of the Dutch population is compulsorily insured with public health insurance funds. The government determines the cover provided by and contributions payable for these funds. Everyone else is required to take out insurance with private funds. These funds set their own premiums, which generally depend on the risk that the individual will need medical care. Because this could lead to excessive premiums for the elderly and the chronically ill, there is a special insurance scheme for these groups, with premiums set by the government.