As opposed to basic health insurance, supplementary health insurance products do not provide identical coverage.
There are two categories: supplementary outpatient insurance and
supplementary hospital insurance (for more information, see our table of possible insurance classes).
Outpatient health insurance products may include coverage for therapy such as alternative medicine,
medication not covered by basic health insurance and psychotherapy performed by a therapist without medical training. There are also supplementary insurance products covering:
- Preventative measures such as membership fees for health clubs and swimming pools, etc.
- vaccinations for foreign travel
- stays in a health spa
- household care and aid
- glasses and contact lenses
- medical accessories
- emergency and transfer transportation as well as rescue and recovery costs
- dental treatment, orthodontic treatment and oral surgery
- treatment abroad (also temporary coverage for vacations)
All coverage is usually limited to a certain amount per calendar year.
Supplementary hospital insurance covers hospital fees:
Supplementary insurance for general wards within all of Switzerland gives the holder the right to treatment in a general ward in any Swiss hospital he desires. Basic health insurance will only cover costs for hospitals within the holder's canton of residence except in case of emergency. Treatment which cannot be performed in his canton due to medical reasons are an exception to this rule.
Supplementary health insurance for semi-private wards within Switzerland provides the holder with the right to a two-bed room. In public hospitals, treatment is usually performed by a senior physician.
Supplementary health insurance for private wards within Switzerland gives the holder the right to a single room. Chief physicians usually provide treatment in public hospitals.
Flex models: Variation of supplementary hospital insurance. Holders choose a ward upon admission. For a general ward within Switzerland, supplementary health insurance will cover all costs, if private or semi-private treatment is desired, patients will have to contribute to additional costs as determined by the provider.
Hotel models offer the comfort of a single or two-bed room without a free choice of physician.
Some insurance models limit coverage to certain hospitals, which lowers premiums.
Supplementary health insurance providers may determine premiums according to risk, i.e. depending on the holder's age and sex among other criteria. They may also object to applications and only offer coverage under certain conditions.
| 