Maternity includes pregnancy and childbirth as well as post-natal recuperation. Claims made due to maternity are not liable to annual deductible rates or retention. However, this only applies to services listed in legal regulations, which are: pre-natal courses, routine examinations, childbirth and breast-feeding consultations. However, therapy and medication due to complications are liable to deduction as well as retention. This was decided by the Federal Court of Switzerland in September 2001. Conditions most often affected by this decision are: hospitalisation to avoid premature birth, treatment for pregnancy diabetes, infections due to pregnancy or birth and psychological therapy for post-natal depression. According to the Federal Office for Social Insurance, there is no clear-cut jurisprudence for C-sections. If you are planning a pregnancy and want to be on the safe side, opt for the lowest possible deductible rate of CHF 300 in order to keep costs as low as possible should a C-section not be fully covered by your health insurance provider. It is often not obvious to insurance providers which services are due to maternity and therefore fully covered. Ask your doctor to mark bills accordingly.