If a policyholder agrees to consult one of his/her provider's doctors for a second opinion before undergoing certain operations, some health insurance companies offer a 10 to 15% premium discount for semi-private and private supplementary insurances. The patient is still free to decide whether to undergo the operation even if this second physician advises against the procedure. This applies to the following operations:
- Uterus removals (hysterectomies);
- Planned C-sections;
- Hallux (bunion) operations;
- Joint replacements;
- Joint endoscopies;
- Ligament reconstruction in the knee and ankle area;
- Operations on intervertebral discs;
- Prostate removals;
- Tonsil removals;
- Gallbladder removals;
- Cataract operations;
- Cornea transplants;
- Operations for varicose veins.
This list may vary slightly depending on your insurer. However, all listed operations are often performed without medical necessity and dates for such operations may be determined in advance. They are therefore called choice operations. If a policyholder fails to comply with this agreement and does not consult a second doctor prior to the operation, he/she will usually have to cover 10% of costs him/herself up to CHF 3,000.00.
