Health insurance family discount
In basic health insurance, children up to the age of 18 pay lower premiums than adults. Some health insurers also offer family discounts. Find out here what they are and how you can benefit.
11.10.2022
iStock/Kate_Maleva
1. Are there any family discounts for basic health insurance?
Some health insurers offer special deals for large families. This usually takes the form of a discount for the second or third child onwards. Although family discounts are tempting, you may ultimately be better off choosing a health insurer that offers cheaper premiums.
Beware of misleading discount information
Often, the discount is expressed as a percentage of the price of a standard adult premium. This results in percentage values that can be as high as 80% or 90%. These large discounts are misleading because different premium rates apply to children.
An example:
The premium for the second or third child is 22 francs instead of 48 francs, in other words 26 francs less. This is a discount of around 45% of the children’s premium. If the discount is calculated on the basis of a monthly adult premium of 220 francs, this would correspond to a discount of 88%.
Reduced coinsurance
If you have two or more children, you can benefit from reduced coinsurance. If you take out basic insurance for your children with the same health insurance company, the out-of-pocket expenses may not exceed twice the maximum amount per child (see Health Insurance Ordinance (KVV/OAMal) 93.3).
If you insure three children with the same insurer, you will only pay a maximum coinsurance amount of 1,000 francs. Certain health insurance companies also grant discounts for the second child, even though they are not legally obliged to do so.
2. Are there any family discounts for supplemental insurance?
Some health insurers also offer family discounts on supplemental insurance. Reduced rates are mostly available for the second or third child onwards. Conditions usually apply to these discounts. Often, at least one parent and/or the other children must have the same insurance policies. It’s therefore a good idea to check the general conditions of insurance carefully.
Typical supplemental insurance discounts
Discounts or gifts if you apply before birth
Discounts for the second and third child, provided the other children have the same insurance
Discount for taking out multiple supplemental insurance policies at the same time
Discounts for people in the same household
3. Which health insurers offer family discounts?
Comparis has compiled a list of family discounts for basic insurance. The twelve largest health insurance companies are taken into account. The discount shown is the discount on the children’s premium. Where discounts were based on the adult premiums, the discount on the children’s premium was calculated using the Comparis premium calculator.
The calculation of the adult premium was based on a person from the city of Zurich born in 1985 taking out basic insurance with accident cover, the standard model and a deductible of 300 francs. The calculation of the child premium was based on a baby from the city of Zurich born in 2022 taking out basic insurance with the standard model and a deductible of 0.
| Health insurer | Discount on the children’s premium for basic insurance |
|---|---|
| Assura | from the 2nd child: 2 francs discount on the premium for each child from the 3rd child: 4 francs discount on the premium for each child |
| Atupri | no additional discount |
| Concordia | from the 3rd child: 49% |
| CSS | no additional discount |
| Groupe Mutuel | from the 3rd child: 25% on premiums for all children |
| Helsana | from the 3rd child: 49% |
| KPT | no additional discount |
| ÖKK | no additional discount |
| Sanitas | no additional discount |
| Swica | from the 3rd child: 42% |
| Sympany | no additional discount |
| Visana | from the 3rd child: 43% |
4. How can I apply for a health insurance reduction?
For families on low and middle incomes, health insurance premiums are a considerable expense. For this reason, cantons are required by law to lower the premium price for children in these families by at least 80%. Premiums for young adults in education and training are at least 50% cheaper.
To get an individual premium reduction, you usually need to fill in a form. Contact your canton of residence directly to find out whether you are entitled to a reduction and how to apply.
Tip: in order to obtain further discounts on your basic insurance, select a higher deductible or an alternative insurance model such as HMO, family doctor or Telmed.
This article was first published on 31.01.2013
