Registering a child for health insurance before birth: how it works

Registering your unborn child with a health insurer

Anyone living in Switzerland must have basic health insurance, and newborns are no exception. You will therefore need to register your child with a health insurance provider. That's something you can take care of before the birth. It's best to sign your child up between the fourth and eighth month of pregnancy at the latest. You should therefore look into health insurance for your baby in good time, and think about whether – and what – supplemental insurance makes sense.

Advantages of registration before birth

The advantages of applying for health insurance for your child before birth are:

• They are protected from the minute they are born: if you don't register your baby until after the birth, it will still be insured under basic insurance with effect from the date of birth. This is not the case for supplemental insurance, however. You should therefore take out this insurance before the birth, so that cover takes effect from the date your baby arrives.

• Getting supplemental insurance is easy: unlike basic insurance, there is no obligation for providers of supplemental insurance to accept your child. They can reject the insurance application without giving reasons. If the baby is born with a medical condition, it can be difficult to find a supplemental insurance provider that will accept it. You can avoid this by registering your child before it is born. Most supplemental insurance providers will then waive any health check. Please note that semi-private and private supplemental hospital insurance is the exception here. It cannot be taken out until after birth, subject to a health check. Registering your child before birth is particularly helpful should they have a birth defect. Although the state disability insurance scheme (DI – IV/AI) will cover the cost of treatment up to the age of 20, they are the responsibility of the health insurer after that. Supplemental insurance pays for additional treatment that is not covered by basic insurance.

• You benefit from lower premiums: some health insurance providers offer discounts on supplemental insurance products if you register your baby before it is born. Several of them will cover the first month of the child's life for free. It is also possible to take out free supplemental dental insurance up to the age of three.

• You can enjoy more time together: the arrival of a new baby is a wonderful, exciting time. It's also hard work. If you've already taken care of the health insurance paperwork, you'll have more time to recover. Another thing is that you can't forget to do something you've already done.

Four steps to registration before birth

1. Compare health insurance using the Comparis premium comparison for families tool.

2. Request several quotes. Decide on the one you want.

3. Fill in the quote form and send the relevant documents to the provider.

4. After the birth you can notify the health insurance company of the exact date of birth and the child's name. Depending on the provider, you can do this by phone or in writing. The insurance cover then takes effect, and you will be sent the insurance card for your child.