Costs for inpatient psychotherapy
The various billing systems for psychotherapy can be confusing. Comparis informs you about the costs and billing models.
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Both outpatient and inpatient psychotherapy can be expensive. However, your health insurer will usually cover these costs. This article explains how high these costs can be and when your insurance company will pay.
How much does outpatient psychotherapy cost?
Outpatient psychotherapy involves regular visits to a specialist. Patients don’t stay overnight. At the moment, basic insurance only covers psychotherapy carried out by a doctor or under a doctor’s supervision (“delegated psychotherapy”).
The Tarmed tariff system applies. The (guideline) tariff is 133.40 francs per hour for psychotherapy carried out by a psychotherapist. When provided by a doctor, the rate is 184.23 francs per hour. Under the current prescription model, your health insurer will cover up to 40 sessions. Once these are used up, you will need to consult your insurer.
Freelance psychotherapists who are not employed by a psychiatrist usually follow the recommendations of the Federation of Swiss Psychologists (FSP). This is 160–180 francs per hour. Supplemental insurance covers a portion of psychotherapy costs for freelance therapists. You can find an overview of supplemental insurance offers here.
With the exception of particularly severe or chronic mental conditions, a course of therapy usually involves around 30 sessions. In Zurich, therefore:
Psychotherapy provided by a doctor costs approx. 5,530 francs
Delegated psychotherapy costs approx. 4,000 francs
Psychotherapy with a freelance therapist costs from 4,800 to 5,400 francs
The prescription model has applied since July 2022. Psychotherapists are therefore able to bill basic insurance for their services even without medical supervision.
How much does inpatient psychotherapy cost?
Inpatient psychotherapy involves staying in a psychiatric ward or clinic whilst receiving treatment.
This is required if outpatient psychotherapy hasn’t shown any benefit, or the patient requires more intensive treatment. Inpatient treatment in a general psychiatric ward is covered by basic insurance. Cover for semi-private and private wards depends on your insurance policy. The clinic usually obtains for you a commitment to provide cover from your insurance company. Your insurer pays for your stay for as long as it’s medically necessary.
The costs are regulated in the Tarpsy remuneration system. This provides a tariff structure for inpatient psychiatry across Switzerland, making it easier to compare services, quality and costs. It also increases transparency for patients.
Treating a person under 18 for a depressive disorder costs around 6,000 francs for four days, 16,000 francs for 11 days and 58,000 francs for 50 days. This includes all inpatient psychotherapy services. The calculation is based on a per case flat rate. This takes into account the patient’s age, main diagnosis and severity of symptoms.
Basic insurance covers the costs. The prerequisite is a preliminary diagnosis by a psychiatrist. Based on this, your health insurer recommends a commitment to provide cover for 30 to 90 days (different insurers may handle this in different ways). If required, an application to extend treatment must be submitted to your health insurer before the original course of therapy ends.
Your basic insurance requires you to pay a deductible every year. If you live in a canton with a lower reference tariff than in the canton of treatment, there may be a difference in costs. You may need supplemental insurance to cover this, or you may have to pay it yourself. You must always pay for an accompanying person yourself. In St. Gallen, for example, an accompanying person costs 180 francs per day.
Sources (links not available in English)
Here you can find an overview of the benefits provided by health insurers. For more information, please contact your health insurer to find out what your specific benefits cover is. The billing model changed in July 2022.
Outpatient psychotherapy
If therapy is performed by a psychiatrist or supervised by a doctor (i.e. the therapist is employed by a doctor and works on a delegated basis).
Inpatient psychotherapy
If a preliminary diagnosis has been made by a psychiatrist and hospitalization is medically necessary.
Outpatient psychotherapy
Up to 40 sessions. Thereafter you must submit an application for renewal to your health insurer.
Inpatient psychotherapy
Number of medically necessary days on a general ward. As a rule, a commitment to provide cover is issued for 30 to 90 days. Thereafter you must submit an application for renewal to your health insurer.
Outpatient psychotherapy
Treatment by a freelance psychotherapist (instead of delegated). The scope of cover depends on your supplemental insurance (up to 7,000 francs per year).
Inpatient psychotherapy
Treatment in semi-private and private wards. Depending on your insurance policy. The clinic will usually obtain a commitment to provide cover for you.