Free choice of doctor in Switzerland: when can I choose my doctor?
What does free choice of doctor mean in Switzerland? Find out here which basic insurance models allow a free choice of doctor.
18.08.2022
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1. What does free choice of doctor mean?
With a free choice of doctor, you may decide who you want to treat you before each doctor’s appointment. You may go to a specialist at any time.
2. Free choice of doctor under basic health insurance
There are various basic insurance models in Switzerland. Whether or not you have a free choice of doctor depends on your health insurance model.
Standard model: you are free to choose your doctor for any treatment. However, some health insurance companies restrict the free choice of doctor to your canton of residence.
Alternative insurance models: with alternative models such as HMO, family doctor and Telmed, the free choice of doctor is restricted. Instead, you must always contact your chosen healthcare provider or facility first (e.g. family doctor, health centre, medical call centre or pharmacy). If necessary, this point of contact will refer you to a specialist. You may usually freely choose the specialist.
Good to know: with alternative health insurance models, you can benefit from premium discounts.
3. Check the doctor’s catchment area
Doctors in alternative insurance models only admit patients from a certain area (catchment area) around their practice location. This means that not all alternative insurance models are available in some places of residence.
You can find an overview of all doctors in your area here:
Be careful when switching insurers
If you change your model or your health insurer, you could unintentionally lose your family doctor. After comparing basic insurance, check whether your current family doctor is recognized by the new insurer. Contact your new health insurance company to find out more.
4. Do I need supplemental insurance to be able to choose my doctor in hospital?
For those without supplemental insurance, there is no free choice of doctor available in hospital. You may only choose your doctor for elective surgeries (operations planned in advance for conditions that are usually not life-threatening) if you have half-private or private supplemental hospital insurance . In emergencies, there is no free choice of doctor even if you do have supplemental insurance.
Patients practically always have the right to refuse treatment. This also applies to treatments that are medically essential. You can find out more about this topic in the article on patients’ rights.
This article was first published on 28.05.2010
