...find the health insurer that's best for you

Whether basic or supplemental insurance...

KK_OffSeason

Under basic insurance, you are free to choose your doctor unless you have the HMO model or family doctor model.

<p>The cost of <a href="/krankenkassen/info/glossar/ambulante-leistungen">out-patient treatment</a> near your workplace or home is covered under basic insurance. Patients are free to choose their doctor unless they have the <a href="/krankenkassen/info/glossar/hmo">HMO</a> or <a href="/krankenkassen/info/glossar/hausarzt-modell">family doctor model</a>. </p>
<p>When in hospital, patients can rarely choose their treating physician unless they are in a <a href="/krankenkassen/info/glossar/belegarzt">hospital with affiliated doctors</a> or holders of an appropriate <a href="/krankenkassen/info/glossar/zusatzversicherung">supplemental insurance plan</a> (private or semi-private). The additional expenses in terms of human resources and the organisational effort would be too great. However, patients may refuse to be treated by a physician they find unacceptable. </p>
<p>You can find an overview of the doctors in your area here:</p>
<div><a href="/gesundheit/arzt/default" class="icon-right strong button" data-ct-area="krankenkassen" data-ct-id="krankenkassen crossselling aerztevergleich" data-role="button" data-ct-subtype="CrossSellingButton" data-ct-type="CrossSelling" data-ct="true" data-theme="p"><em class="fa fa-chevron-right"></em>Find a suitable doctor</a></div>

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Compare health insurance premiums (basic and supplementary health insurance) and save on health insurance. Find the best deductible rate with Deductionfinder. Is your GP affiliated to an alternative insurance model? Doctorfinder will help you find out.

comparis.ch – Health insurance: basic insurance, family doctor, deductible, sickness insurance

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Beratungsstellen-Versicherte

Zusatzversicherung-kuendigen

HMO-Modelle

Hausarztmodelle

Telmed-Modelle

Andere Modelle

OM KK

Om PV

DVSP

Auflistung Adressen

3rd level page components

<p>If your employment position is terminated, you are automatically covered against <a href="/krankenkassen/info/glossar/unfall.aspx"><strong>accidents</strong></a> for another 30 days. If it appears unlikely that you will start a new position after this period, it is advisable to take out interim accident insurance before your last day of work. This can be arranged with the accident insurance provider of the previous employer for up to 180 days from the end of the employment contract. Interim accident insurance is governed by the <a href="/krankenkassen/info/glossar/unfallversicherung-uvg.aspx"><strong>Federal Accident Insurance Act (UVG/LAA)</strong></a>. If your interim accident insurance covers non-occupational accidents, you will also be covered on holiday trips abroad. The insurance covers medical treatment, rescue and recovery operations, and medically necessary journeys and transportation.<br />
<br />
This insurance is ideal for people with unpaid holiday or who are undertaking extended vacations or language studies abroad. When the interim accident insurance policy comes to an end, you will have to add <a href="/krankenkassen/info/glossar/unfalldeckung.aspx"><strong>accident cover</strong></a> to your basic health insurance policy, unless you start working at least eight hours per week again and are therefore covered by your employer.</p>

Interim accident insurance

abredeversicherung

Compare health insurance premiums (basic and supplemental health insurance) and save on health insurance. Find the best deductible with the Deductionfinder. Is your GP affiliated to an alternative insurance model? The Doctorfinder will help you find out.

Health insurers' addresses

adressen-krankenkasse

General insurance conditions and additional terms indicate the range of benefits of an insurance product. 

<p>Besides the policy itself, the General Conditions of Insurance (GCI or "AVB" in German) form an integral part of an insurance contract for <a href="/krankenkassen/info/glossar/zusatzversicherung" shape="rect">supplemental insurance</a>. They define the range of benefits of an insurance product together with the additional conditions (ZVB). </p>

General Conditions of Insurance (GCI)

allgemeine-versicherungsbedingungen

What alternative insurance models do health insurers offer? The advantages and disadvantages at a glance.


<ul>
    <li><strong><a href="#was">What is meant by an alternative insurance model?</a></strong></li>
    <li><strong><a href="#beachten">What should I watch out for with alternative insurance models?</a></strong></li>
    <li><strong><a href="#modelle">What are the different health insurance models?</a></strong></li>
    <ul>
        <li><strong><a href="#standard">Standard basic insurance</a></strong></li>
        <li><strong><a href="#hausarzt">Family doctor models</a></strong></li>
        <li><strong><a href="#hmo">HMO / health centre models</a></strong></li>
        <li><strong><a href="#telmed">Medical helplines (Telmed, Callmed)</a></strong></li>
        <li><strong><a href="#mix">Other models / mixed models / hybrid models</a></strong></li>
    </ul>
    <li><strong><a href="#beste">Which insurance model is the best?</a></strong></li>
</ul>
<a id="was"></a>
<h2 class="subtitle-one">What is meant by an alternative insurance model?</h2>
<p>Examples of alternative insurance models are HMO, family doctor / GP and Telmed. These alternative health insurance models offer premium discounts of up to 25% compared to the standard basic insurance model.</p>
In basic insurance, you can choose from a range of insurance models (<a href="/krankenkassen/info/glossar/hausarzt-modell">family doctor</a>, <a href="/krankenkassen/info/glossar/hmo">HMO</a>, <a href="/krankenkassen/info/glossar/telmed">Telmed</a>&nbsp;and mixed models). However, each provides the same level of cover, in accordance with the Health Insurance Act (KVG/LAMal). The difference between them is the first point of contact for medical questions (e.g. family doctor, health centre, medical call centre or pharmacy). Policyholders choosing an alternative health insurance model will receive a discount on their premiums.<br />
<br />
<a id="beachten"></a>
<h2 class="subtitle-one">What should I watch out for with alternative insurance models?</h2>
If you choose an alternative insurance model, you must follow the specified first-point-of-contact procedure for each new health problem (e.g &ldquo;always consult the family doctor first&rdquo;). This requirement does not usually apply to emergencies, annual gynaecological check-ups and regular eye tests. The procedure differs from insurer to insurer and is stated in the general conditions of insurance. If you do not follow the procedure, you may receive a warning, have to pay for the treatment yourself or be transferred to the standard model.<br />
<br />
Other conditions may also be attached to the insurance model:
<ul>
    <li>Purchase of medicines from a partner pharmacy only</li>
    <li>Purchase of generic medicine only</li>
    <li>Choice of hospital from a specified list only</li>
</ul>
<br />
<a id="modelle"></a>
<h2 class="subtitle-one">What are the different health insurance models?</h2>
<br />
<a id="standard"></a>
<h3 class="subtitle-two">Standard basic insurance</h3>
<p>Standard basic insurance is the compulsory health insurance offered by all health insurance companies. The cover is identical irrespective of insurer. Policyholders are free to choose any doctor.</p>
<br />
<a id="hausarzt"></a>
<h3 class="subtitle-two">Family doctor models</h3>
The first point of contact for policyholders opting for the <a href="/krankenkassen/info/glossar/hausarzt-modell">family doctor model</a> is their chosen family doctor. This family doctor must be included in the health insurer's family doctor model. If you would like a specific family doctor, you should check first whether your health insurer has included this <a href="/gesundheit/arzt/default">doctor</a> in its family doctor model.<br />
<br />
The family doctor is responsible for providing and coordinating medical treatment for the policyholder. If medically necessary, this doctor will refer the policyholder to a specialist. The policyholder may choose a different specialist than the one recommended, depending on the health insurance company and family doctor model.<br />
<br />
<strong>Advantages:</strong>
<ul>
    <li>You can stay with the same long-standing family doctor.</li>
    <li>You have free choice of gynaecologist.</li>
    <li>Premium discount of up to 15-20%</li>
</ul>
<strong>Disadvantages:</strong>
<ul>
    <li>You need a referral if you want to see a specialist.</li>
    <li>Your family doctor must be on the health insurance company&rsquo;s list of approved doctors.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<a id="hmo"></a>
<h3 class="subtitle-two">HMO / health centre models</h3>
<a href="/krankenkassen/info/glossar/hmo.aspx">HMO</a> stands for Health Maintenance Organization. The first point of contact for HMO policyholders is the chosen health centre. This should be located close to the policyholders home or place of work. The health centre plans and coordinates the course of treatment.<br />
<br />
<strong>Advantages:</strong>
<ul>
    <li>Easy access for those without a family doctor</li>
    <li>An alternative doctor is always available</li>
    <li>More extensive range of medical devices (e.g. ultrasound, x-ray)</li>
    <li>Wider range of specialists</li>
    <li>Premium discount of up to 25%</li>
</ul>
<strong>Disadvantages:</strong>
<ul>
    <li>You need a referral if you want to see a specialist.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<a id="telmed"></a>
<h3 class="subtitle-two">Medical helplines (Telmed, Callmed)</h3>
For Telmed policyholders, the first point of contact for each new health problem is the medical helpline. Medical experts are available via telephone or video consultation to give advice, recommend a course of action, prescribe medicines, provide a doctor's note or refer patients to a doctor, hospital or therapist. The medical helpline is free of charge and is available 24 hours a day.<br />
<br />
In the traditional <a href="/krankenkassen/info/glossar/telmed">Telmed model</a>, the customer has free choice of doctor following the telephone consultation. However, other models stipulate the doctor and the subsequent course of treatment (hybrid or mixed models). These models are combined with a family doctor, health centre or pharmacy, for example.<br />
<br />
<strong>Advantages:</strong>
<ul>
    <li>Free medical advice available round the clock (24-hour helpline)</li>
    <li>Free choice of doctor after that in most cases</li>
    <li>Premium discount of around 15-20%</li>
</ul>
<strong>Disadvantages:</strong>
<ul>
    <li>You must always call the medical helpline before arranging a doctor's appointment.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<a id="mix"></a>
<h3 class="subtitle-two">Other models / mixed models / hybrid models</h3>
Hybrid or mixed models became available in 2020. These models have two or three different first points of contact: family doctor, health centre, medical helpline or pharmacy. In some models, policyholders must decide on one of the possible first points of contact, which will then apply for the entire policy period, while in others they are free to choose the first point of contact on a case-by-case basis.<br />
<br />
The different medical services often support each other. For example, a patient may first consult a pharmacist. Then, if necessary, a doctor can be consulted via telephone or the app of a telemedicine provider.<br />
<br />
Sometimes, there may also be a charge for telephone or pharmacy consultations. If a pharmacy is the first point of contact, the policyholder must purchase any required medicine from a partner pharmacy. It's therefore a good idea to check the general conditions of insurance for the terms of the model in question and details of how exceptions are handled.<br />
<br />
<strong>Advantages:</strong>
<ul>
    <li>Multiple possible first points of contact provide greater flexibility.</li>
    <li>Premium discount of up to 15-20%</li>
</ul>
<strong>Disadvantages:</strong>
<ul>
    <li>Special conditions make comparisons difficult.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<a id="beste"></a>
<div><a data-theme="p" data-ct="true" data-ct-type="CrossSelling" data-ct-subtype="CrossSellingButton" data-role="button" data-ct-id="krankenkassen crossselling modelle" data-ct-area="krankenkassen" class="icon-right strong button" href="/krankenkassen/grundversicherung/praemien/input"><em class="fa fa-chevron-right"></em>Compare models now</a></div>
<h2 class="subtitle-one">Which insurance model is the best?</h2>
Which insurance model is best depends on your personal needs and preferences. You must therefore decide for yourself what your priorities are: freedom of choice, flexibility, price etc. What is important is to understand the conditions applying to your chosen model and to find out when it is possible to switch. Many people still decide against an alternative model for fear of receiving an inferior service or having limited choice. However, each model offers the same cover, which is regulated by law. In addition, the alternative models still offer a considerable degree of freedom and flexibility.

Alternative insurance models

alternative-versicherungsmodelle

Alternative medical treatment and drugs are part of the compulsory health insurance system and will be covered by basic insurance under certain conditions.

<p>Alternative medicine, also called complementary medicine, is the term for all kinds of treatment and therapy that do not fall under the category of conventional medicine. These may be performed by physicians or practitioners of natural medicine. The latter are not considered approved <a href="/krankenkassen/info/glossar/leistungserbringer">service providers</a> under the <a href="/krankenkassen/info/glossar/krankenversicherungsgesetz-kvg">Health Insurance Act (KVG/LAMal)</a> so their services are not covered by basic insurance.</p>
<p><a href="/krankenkassen/info/glossar/komplementaermedizin.aspx">Complementary medicine products</a> specified in the <a href="/krankenkassen/info/glossar/spezialitaetenliste.aspx">List of Pharmaceutical Specialties</a> are covered by basic health insurance minus the out-of-pocket share.</p>
<h3 class="headline">Developments in compulsory health insurance</h3>
<p>Since August 2017, four healing methods (anthroposophic medicine, homoeopathy, phytotherapy and traditional Chinese medicine) have been allowed under certain conditions. Services will be covered if performed by doctors having obtained a qualification in the listed therapies.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>

Alternative medicine Switzerland – What is covered by health insurance?

alternativmedizin

Up to what age does a policyholder count as a child or young adult with regard to basic health insurance? Are there premium reductions for young adults?

<div>Premiums for basic health insurance vary depending on the policyholder's age.</div>
<div><strong></strong>&nbsp;</div>
<div><strong>Basic health insurance</strong> </div>
<p>Art.&nbsp;61 of the Health Insurance Act defines three age levels:</p>
<ul class="plain">
    <li><b>Children</b> (up to age 18) </li>
    <li><b>Young adults</b> (ages 19 to 25) </li>
    <li><b>Adults</b> (age 26 and over) </li>
</ul>
<div>Insurers must define lower premiums for children by law. For young adults, the insurance companies may offer reduced premiums, but they do not have to. The change from one age category to the next happens after the policyholder's 18th or 25th birthday, respectively, with effect from 1&nbsp;January of the following year.</div>
<div><br />
<strong>Supplemental insurance</strong> </div>
<p>For supplemental insurance, a distinction is commonly made between current age and <a href="/krankenkassen/info/glossar/eintrittsalter">admission age</a>. There are no uniform age groups as is the case with basic insurance; the health insurance companies may determine the age levels themselves.</p>

Age level

altersstufe

Definition of inpatient and outpatient treatment. 

<p>In contrast to <a href="/krankenkassen/info/glossar/stationaere-leistungen.aspx" shape="rect">inpatient treatment</a>, outpatients do not stay at the hospital over night.</p>
<p>Examples of outpatient treatment:</p>
<ul class="plain">
    <li>Visits to the doctor's office </li>
    <li>Treatment by a physiotherapist, ergotherapist or logotherapist </li>
    <li>Nutrition and diabetes counselling </li>
    <li>Treatment by nurses </li>
    <li>Laboratory tests </li>
    <li>X-ray examinations </li>
</ul>
<p>If an outpatient treatment has been prescribed by a doctor and is a standard insurance benefit, the costs are covered by <a href="/krankenkassen/info/glossar/grundversicherung.aspx" shape="rect">basic health insurance</a> minus the <a href="/krankenkassen/info/glossar/kostenbeteiligung.aspx" shape="rect">out-of-pocket expenses</a>.</p>

Outpatient services and treatment

ambulante-leistungen

Definition of out-of-pocket expenses in the area of basic health insurance. Compare premiums on comparis.ch

<p>If basic health insurance covers therapies, medication, treatment by a doctor or at a hospital, policyholders are required to pay part of these costs out of their pocket. According to the law, these out-of-pocket expenses are made up of the deductible ("franchise") and the coinsurance. In addition, a contribution to the cost of hospital treatment is levied in the event of in-patient treatment at a hospital.</p>
<p><strong>Deductible<br />
</strong>The deductible only has to be paid once per calendar year and is at least 300&nbsp;francs for adults (0&nbsp;francs for children). If you switch insurers during the year, your new insurer will take into account both the deductible and the coinsurance already paid in the same year. No deductible is due in case of maternity.</p>
<p><strong>Coinsurance<br />
</strong>As soon as the health care costs exceed the amount of the deductible, the policyholder has to come up for a coinsurance of 10&nbsp;percent, up to a maximum of 700&nbsp;francs (please note the exception for medication); i.e. coinsurance only applies once the deductible has been paid off. The maximum total coinsurance for children is 350&nbsp;francs. If more than two children of the same family are insured with the same provider, the total coinsurance is limited to 1000 francs for all children together.</p>
<p><strong>Copayment of hospital costs<br />
</strong>In the event of a stay at the hospital, basic insurance reimburses not only the treatment costs but also the cost of room and board. As patients need to spend less money on food during their hospital stay than they would at home, they are obliged to share in the cost of food at the hospital, in accordance with the Health Insurance Act (KVG). Since 1&nbsp;January 2011, all adults aged 26 and over have been required to pay an unlimited copayment of 15&nbsp;francs per day spent in hospital. Children and adults up to the age of 25 who are still undergoing education are exempt from this obligation, as are women for maternity-related treatment.</p>

Out-of-pocket expenses for basic insurance

app-kostenbeteiligung

What do you have to keep in mind when cancelling your basic insurance? Cancellation deadline: 30 November, sent by registered mail.

<p>To <b>cancel for 31 December</b>, the cancellation letter (by registered mail) must reach the current health insurance provider <b>by 30 November</b> or the last working day of November, respectively. This cancellation deadline applies irrespective of whether the new premium is higher, lower or remains the same.</p>
<p>To <b>cancel for 30 June</b>, the cancellation letter (by registered mail) must reach the current health insurance provider <b>by 31 March</b> or the last working day of March, respectively. This only applies to policyholders with a deductible of 300&nbsp;francs (children: 0&nbsp;francs) and a standard basic insurance (no alternative insurance models such as HMO or Telmed).</p>
<p>In all other cases, changing to a new insurance provider is possible only for the end of the calendar year. Policyholders whose premiums increase mid-year must be informed by their insurance provider by the end of April. In this case, they have until the end of May to cancel the contract and switch to another insurance provider as of 1&nbsp;July.</p>
<p><b>Note:</b> Outstanding monthly premiums or out-of-pocket payments may prevent you from being allowed to change provider.</p>

Cancel basic insurance

app-kuendigungsfristen

<p>Every individual residing in Switzerland is obliged to take out mandatory health insurance. Every family member may buy individual insurance from any provider. Once you have registered at the residents' registration office, you have 3 months to take out mandatory basic health insurance. If you register within this period, you are covered as of the date you took up residency in the country. Premiums for this time span have to be paid retroactively. If you miss the deadline, coverage only starts upon conclusion of the contract. Besides that, an additional administration fee will be levied for late registration.</p>

Welcome to Switzerland

app-neu-in-der-schweiz

Medicines with tariff are prescription drugs which are manufactured in pharmacies. They are covered by basic insurance. 

<p>The List of Medicines with Tariff (LMT) contains pharmaceutical products prepared in pharmacies according to a doctor's prescription. These are considered 'mandatorily covered medicines' and must be reimbursed by <a href="/krankenkassen/info/glossar/grundversicherung" shape="rect">mandatory basic insurance</a> after deduction of the <a href="/krankenkassen/info/glossar/kostenbeteiligung" shape="rect">out-of-pocket expenses</a>.</p>

List of Medicines with Tariff (ALT)

arzneimittelliste

When is an international health insurance necessary and what benefits does my policy cover in the event of an emergency medical treatment abroad?

<strong>Temporary stay abroad</strong>
<p>Outside Switzerland, benefits are only paid for emergency treatment. A situation is considered an emergency if the policyholder requires medical treatment during his/her temporary stay abroad and it is not possible for him/her to return or be returned to Switzerland. If policyholders deliberately seek treatment abroad, it is not considered an emergency. <a href="/krankenkassen/info/glossar/leistungen-krankenpflegeversicherung.aspx">Basic health insurance</a> will only pay up to twice the amount the same treatment would cost in Switzerland. This is sufficient for travel within Europe, but for certain overseas areas &ndash; notably in the USA, Canada, Australia and Japan &ndash; it is highly recommended to buy additional insurance.</p>
<p>Usually, basic health insurance will not cover transportation costs back to Switzerland (repatriation) and only 50&nbsp;percent of emergency transportation costs to the next hospital abroad are paid (up to CHF 500 per year).</p>
<p>Some <a href="/krankenkassen/info/glossar/zusatzversicherung.aspx">supplemental insurance policies</a> include coverage abroad and will reimburse these costs not covered by basic insurance. If coverage is insufficient or unavailable, it is advisable to buy travel insurance. But even then, one should check carefully which benefits are covered by this insurance.</p>
<strong>Holders of Swiss insurance requiring emergency treatment in an EU/EFTA country</strong>
<p>A local health insurance provider will cover costs according to the agreed tariffs and policyholders will pay the usual <a href="/krankenkassen/info/glossar/kostenbeteiligung.aspx">share of costs</a> for that area. The foreign insurer concerned will then invoice these costs to your Swiss insurance company via a central office in Switzerland.</p>
<p>As of the beginning of 2006, all policyholders in Switzerland have a health insurance card, which makes the E111 form superfluous. The credit card-sized insurance card contains administrative details, such as name, gender, date of birth, insurance provider and insurance number.</p>

International coverage

auslandleistungen

Addresses and scopes of responsibility of Swiss federal offices in the areas of social insurance and health insurance

<h2><a href="http://www.bag.admin.ch/index.html?lang=en" target="_blank" shape="rect">Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH)</a> </h2>
3003 Bern<br />
Telephone: 031 322 21 11<br />
<br />
Scope of responsibility:
<ul class="plain">
<li>regulatory authority for social health insurers</li>
<li>special legal questions regarding the Health Insurance Act</li>
</ul>
<h2><a href="http://www.finma.ch/archiv/bpv/e/index.html?lang=en" target="_blank" shape="rect">Federal Office of Private Insurance (FOPI)</a> </h2>
Schwanengasse 2 <br />
3003 Bern<br />
Telephone: 031 322 79 11<br />
<br />
Scope of responsibility:
<ul class="plain">
<li>regulatory authority for private insurers</li>
<li>legal questions regarding optional supplemental insurance</li>
<li>authorising authority for premiums and benefits</li>
</ul>
<h2><a href="http://www.santesuisse.ch" target="_blank" shape="rect">Sant&eacute;suisse &ndash; the Swiss health insurers</a></h2>
R&ouml;merstrasse 20 <br />
4502 Solothurn<br />
Telephone: 032 625 41 41<br />
<br />
Scope of responsibility:
<ul class="plain">
<li>association of Swiss health insurers</li>
<li>no information service for policyholders</li>
</ul>
<h2><a href="http://www.svv.ch/en" target="_blank" shape="rect">Swiss insurance association SVV</a></h2>
C.F. Meyer-Strasse 14 <br />
8022 Zurich<br />
Telephone: 044 208 28 28<br />
<br />
Scope of responsibility:
<ul class="plain">
<li>only private insurers are members of the SVV</li>
<li>the SVV is no information centre or ombudsperson</li>
</ul>

Federal offices and associations

bag-bpv-svv

Definition of FOPH premiums and subdivision into premium regions

<p>Comparis takes the premium data directly from the Federal Office of Public Health (<a href="/krankenkassen/info/glossar/bundesamt-fuer-gesundheit.aspx">FOPH</a>) or from the health insurance companies. Please note that some cantons are subdivided into several <a href="/krankenkassen/info/glossar/praemienregionen">premium regions</a>.</p>
<br>
<table style="width: 100%;" class="TableResultDataXP" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0">
    <tbody>
        <tr class="RowResultDataTitle">
            <td style="width: 12px;" class="CellResultDataTitle Spacer"></td>
            <td class="CellResultDataTitle">Canton</td>
            <td class="CellResultDataTitle"></td>
            <td class="CellResultDataTitle Divider"></td>
            <td class="CellResultDataTitle">Canton</td>
            <td class="CellResultDataTitle"></td>
        </tr>
        <tr class="RowResultDataSeparator">
            <td class="CellResultDataSeparatorThick" colspan="6"></td>
        </tr>
        <tr class="RowResultData">
            <td style="width: 12px;" class="CellResultData Spacer"></td>
            <td class="CellResultData"><a href="/-/media/comparisons/krankenkassen/glossar/bag-praemien-2018/wegweiserag2018v14.pdf?la=en">AG</a></td>
            <td class="CellResultData">Aargau</td>
            <td class="CellResultData Divider"></td>
            <td style="width: 16%;" class="CellResultData"><a href="/-/media/comparisons/krankenkassen/glossar/bag-praemien-2018/wegweisernw2018v14.pdf?la=en">NW</a></td>
            <td style="width: 16%;" class="CellResultData">Nidwalden</td>
        </tr>
        <tr class="RowResultData">
            <td style="width: 12px;" class="CellResultData Spacer"></td>
            <td class="CellResultData"><a href="/-/media/comparisons/krankenkassen/glossar/bag-praemien-2018/wegweiserai2018v14.pdf?la=en">AI</a></td>
            <td class="CellResultData">Appenzell-Innerrhoden</td>
            <td class="CellResultData Divider"></td>
            <td class="CellResultData"><a href="/-/media/comparisons/krankenkassen/glossar/bag-praemien-2018/wegweiserow2018v14.pdf?la=en">OW</a></td>
            <td class="CellResultData">Obwalden</td>
        </tr>
        <tr class="RowResultData">
            <td style="width: 12px;" class="CellResultData Spacer"></td>
            <td class="CellResultData"><a href="/-/media/comparisons/krankenkassen/glossar/bag-praemien-2018/wegweiserar2018v14.pdf?la=en">AR</a></td>
            <td class="CellResultData">Appenzell-Ausserrhoden</td>
            <td class="CellResultData Divider"></td>
            <td class="CellResultData"><a href="/-/media/comparisons/krankenkassen/glossar/bag-praemien-2018/wegweisersg2018v14.pdf?la=en">SG</a></td>
            <td class="CellResultData">St. Gallen</td>
        </tr>
        <tr class="RowResultData">
            <td style="width: 12px;" class="CellResultData Spacer"></td>
            <td class="CellResultData"><a href="/-/media/comparisons/krankenkassen/glossar/bag-praemien-2018/wegweiserbe2018v14.pdf?la=en">BE</a></td>
            <td class="CellResultData">Bern</td>
            <td class="CellResultData Divider"></td>
            <td class="CellResultData"><a href="/-/media/comparisons/krankenkassen/glossar/bag-praemien-2018/wegweisersh2018v14.pdf?la=en">SH</a></td>
            <td class="CellResultData">Schaffhausen</td>
        </tr>
        <tr class="RowResultData">
            <td style="width: 12px;" class="CellResultData Spacer"></td>
            <td class="CellResultData"><a href="/-/media/comparisons/krankenkassen/glossar/bag-praemien-2018/wegweiserbl2018v14.pdf?la=en">BL</a></td>
            <td class="CellResultData">Basel-Landschaft</td>
            <td class="CellResultData Divider"></td>
            <td class="CellResultData"><a href="/-/media/comparisons/krankenkassen/glossar/bag-praemien-2018/wegweiserso2018v14.pdf?la=en">SO</a></td>
            <td class="CellResultData">Solothurn</td>
        </tr>
        <tr class="RowResultData">
            <td style="width: 12px;" class="CellResultData Spacer"></td>
            <td class="CellResultData"><a href="/-/media/comparisons/krankenkassen/glossar/bag-praemien-2018/wegweiserbs2018v14.pdf?la=en">BS</a></td>
            <td class="CellResultData">Basel-Stadt</td>
            <td class="CellResultData Divider"></td>
            <td class="CellResultData"><a href="/-/media/comparisons/krankenkassen/glossar/bag-praemien-2018/wegweisersz2018v14.pdf?la=en">SZ</a></td>
            <td class="CellResultData">Schwyz</td>
        </tr>
        <tr class="RowResultData">
            <td style="width: 12px;" class="CellResultData Spacer"></td>
            <td class="CellResultData"><a href="/-/media/comparisons/krankenkassen/glossar/bag-praemien-2018/wegweiserfr2018v14.pdf?la=en">FR</a></td>
            <td class="CellResultData">Freiburg</td>
            <td class="CellResultData Divider"></td>
            <td class="CellResultData"><a href="/-/media/comparisons/krankenkassen/glossar/bag-praemien-2018/wegweisertg2018v14.pdf?la=en">TG</a></td>
            <td class="CellResultData">Thurgau</td>
        </tr>
        <tr class="RowResultData">
            <td style="width: 12px;" class="CellResultData Spacer"></td>
            <td class="CellResultData"><a href="/-/media/comparisons/krankenkassen/glossar/bag-praemien-2018/wegweiserge2018v14.pdf?la=en">GE</a></td>
            <td class="CellResultData">Genf</td>
            <td class="CellResultData Divider"></td>
            <td class="CellResultData"><a href="/-/media/comparisons/krankenkassen/glossar/bag-praemien-2018/wegweiserti2018v14.pdf?la=en">TI</a></td>
            <td class="CellResultData">Tessin</td>
        </tr>
        <tr class="RowResultData">
            <td style="width: 12px;" class="CellResultData Spacer"></td>
            <td class="CellResultData"><a href="/-/media/comparisons/krankenkassen/glossar/bag-praemien-2018/wegweisergl2018v14.pdf?la=en">GL</a></td>
            <td class="CellResultData">Glarus</td>
            <td class="CellResultData Divider"></td>
            <td class="CellResultData"><a href="/-/media/comparisons/krankenkassen/glossar/bag-praemien-2018/wegweiserur2018v14.pdf?la=en">UR</a></td>
            <td class="CellResultData">Uri</td>
        </tr>
        <tr class="RowResultData">
            <td style="width: 12px;" class="CellResultData Spacer"></td>
            <td class="CellResultData"><a href="/-/media/comparisons/krankenkassen/glossar/bag-praemien 2017/gr-2017.pdf">GR</a></td>
            <td class="CellResultData">Graub&uuml;nden</td>
            <td class="CellResultData Divider"></td>
            <td class="CellResultData"><a href="/-/media/comparisons/krankenkassen/glossar/bag-praemien-2018/wegweiservd2018v14.pdf?la=en">VD</a></td>
            <td class="CellResultData">Waadt</td>
        </tr>
        <tr class="RowResultData">
            <td style="width: 12px;" class="CellResultData Spacer"></td>
            <td class="CellResultData"><a href="/-/media/comparisons/krankenkassen/glossar/bag-praemien-2018/wegweiserju2018v14.pdf?la=en">JU</a></td>
            <td class="CellResultData">Jura</td>
            <td class="CellResultData Divider"></td>
            <td class="CellResultData"><a href="/-/media/comparisons/krankenkassen/glossar/bag-praemien-2018/wegweiservs2018v14.pdf?la=en">VS</a></td>
            <td class="CellResultData">Wallis</td>
        </tr>
        <tr class="RowResultData">
            <td style="width: 12px;" class="CellResultData Spacer"></td>
            <td class="CellResultData"><a href="/-/media/comparisons/krankenkassen/glossar/bag-praemien-2018/wegweiserlu2018v14.pdf?la=en">LU</a></td>
            <td class="CellResultData">Luzern</td>
            <td class="CellResultData Divider"></td>
            <td class="CellResultData"><a href="/-/media/comparisons/krankenkassen/glossar/bag-praemien-2018/wegweiserzg2018v14.pdf?la=en">ZG</a></td>
            <td class="CellResultData">Zug</td>
        </tr>
        <tr class="RowResultData">
            <td style="width: 12px;" class="CellResultData Spacer"></td>
            <td class="CellResultData"><a href="/-/media/comparisons/krankenkassen/glossar/bag-praemien-2018/wegweiserne2018v14.pdf?la=en">NE</a></td>
            <td class="CellResultData">Neuenburg</td>
            <td class="CellResultData Divider"></td>
            <td class="CellResultData"><a href="/-/media/comparisons/krankenkassen/glossar/bag-praemien-2018/wegweiserzh2018v14.pdf?la=en">ZH</a></td>
            <td class="CellResultData">Zurich</td>
        </tr>
    </tbody>
</table>
<br>
<a href="/-/media/comparisons/krankenkassen/glossar/bag-praemien-2018/gesamtberichtch2018v14.pdf?la=en">Overview of all premiums for 2018</a>
<p><a href="/-/media/comparisons/krankenkassen/glossar/bag-praemien-2018/kant-durchschnittspraemien-2017-2018-unfall.pdf?la=en">Average premiums in the cantons in 2017/2018</a></p>

FOPH premiums

bag-praemien

How can I obtain exemption from the obligation to obtain basic health insurance?

<strong>Compulsory basic health insurance</strong>
<p>On principle, every individual residing in Switzerland is obliged to obtain health insurance or must be procured such insurance by their statutory representative within three months after birth or taking up residence in Switzerland. Each family member must be insured individually. It is up to the persons requiring insurance to choose their insurance provider.</p>
<p>The Federal Council may extend the obligation to take out insurance to individuals not residing in Switzerland, such as: </p>
<ul class="plain">
    <li>Persons working in Switzerland or usually abiding there.</li>
    <li>Persons who are employed abroad by a company based in Switzerland. </li>
    <li>Holders of a residence permit of three months or more.</li>
    <li>Foreign employees who hold a residence permit of less than three months and who do not have equivalent insurance coverage. The same applies to individuals who do not need a residence permit due to the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons or the EFTA Convention.</li>
    <li>Residents of a EU or EFTA country who receive a Swiss <a href="/krankenkassen/info/glossar/rentner-wohnsitz-eu.aspx" shape="rect">pension</a>.</li>
</ul>
<strong>Exemption from the obligation to obtain insurance</strong>
<p>Persons performing <a href="/krankenkassen/info/glossar/sistierung.aspx" shape="rect">military service</a> for more than 60 consecutive days may suspend their compulsory health insurance. The Federal Council may exempt other persons from this obligation. For this, a written application must be submitted to the cantonal office in charge.</p>
<h2>AG</h2>
Gemeinsame Einrichtung KVG<br />
Gibelinstrasse 25<br />
Postfach 4503<br />
Solothurn<br />
Telephone: 032 625 30 30<br />
Fax: 032 625 30 90<br />
E-mail: <a href="mailto:info@kvg.org" shape="rect">info@kvg.org</a><br />
Internet: <a href="http://www.kvg.org" target="_blank" shape="rect">www.kvg.org</a>
<h2>AI</h2>
Gesundheitsamt des Kantons Appenzell-Innerrhoden<br />
Hoferbad 2<br />
9050 Appenzell<br />
Telephone: 071 788 94 52<br />
Fax: 071 788 94 58<br />
E-mail: <a href="mailto:info@gsd.ai.ch" shape="rect">info@gsd.ai.ch</a><br />
Internet: <a href="http://www.ai.ch" target="_blank" shape="rect">www.ai.ch</a><br />
<h2>AR</h2>
Gemeinsame Einrichtung KVG<br />
Gibelinstrasse 25<br />
Postfach 4503<br />
Solothurn<br />
Telephone: 032 625 30 30<br />
Fax: 032 625 30 90<br />
E-mail: <a href="mailto:info@kvg.org" shape="rect">info@kvg.org</a><br />
Internet: <a href="http://www.kvg.org" target="_blank" shape="rect">www.kvg.org</a> <br />
<h2>BE</h2>
Amt f&uuml;r Sozialversicherungen<br />
Forelstrasse 1<br />
3072 Ostermundigen<br />
Telephone: 0844 80 08 84<br />
Fax: 031 633 77 01<br />
E-mail: <a href="mailto:info.asv@jgk.be.ch" shape="rect">info.asv@jgk.be.ch</a><br />
Internet: <a href="http://www.jgk.be.ch" target="_blank" shape="rect">www.jgk.be.ch</a><br />
<h2>BL</h2>
Volkswirtschafts- und Gesundheitsdirektion<br />
Bahnhofstrasse 5<br />
4410 Liestal<br />
Telephone: 061 552 59 09<br />
Fax: 061 552 69 92<br />
E-mail: <a href="mailto:krankenversicherung@bl.ch" shape="rect">krankenversicherung@bl.ch</a><br />
Internet: <a href="http://www.baselland.ch" target="_blank" shape="rect">www.baselland.ch</a><br />
<h2>BS</h2>
Gemeinsame Einrichtung KVG<br />
Gibelinstrasse 25<br />
Postfach 4503<br />
Solothurn<br />
Telephone: 032 625 30 30<br />
Fax: 032 625 30 90<br />
E-mail: <a href="mailto:info@kvg.org" shape="rect">info@kvg.org</a><br />
Internet: <a href="http://www.kvg.org" target="_blank" shape="rect">www.kvg.org</a><br />
<h2>FR</h2>
Municipality of domicile, of residence or of work (cross-border commuters)<br />
<h2>GE</h2>
Service de l&rsquo;assurance-maladie<br />
Route de Frontenex 62<br />
1207 Gen&egrave;ve<br />
Telephone: 022 546 19 00<br />
Fax: 022 546 19 19<br />
E-mail: <a href="mailto:sam@etat.ge.ch" shape="rect">sam@etat.ge.ch</a><br />
Internet: <a href="http://www.ge.ch/assurances/maladie/" target="_blank" shape="rect">www.ge.ch/assurances/maladie/</a><br />
<h2>GL</h2>
Gemeinsame Einrichtung KVG<br />
Gibelinstrasse 25<br />
Postfach 4503<br />
Solothurn<br />
Telephone: 032 625 30 30<br />
Fax: 032 625 30 90<br />
E-mail: <a href="mailto:info@kvg.org" shape="rect">info@kvg.org</a><br />
Internet: <a href="http://www.kvg.org" target="_blank" shape="rect">www.kvg.org </a><br />
<h2>GR</h2>
Municipality of domicile, of residence or of work (cross-border commuters)<br />
<h2>JU</h2>
Caisse de compensation du Canton du Jura<br />
Rue Bel-Air 3<br />
Case postale 368<br />
2350 Saignel&eacute;gier<br />
Telephone: 032 952 11 11<br />
Fax: 032 952 11 01<br />
E-mail: <a href="mailto:mail@ccju.ch" shape="rect">mail@ccju.ch</a><br />
Internet: <a href="http://www.caisseavsjura.ch" target="_blank" shape="rect">www.caisseavsjura.ch</a><br />
<h2>LU</h2>
Ausgleichskasse Luzern<br />
W&uuml;rzenbachstrasse 8<br />
Postfach<br />
6000 Luzern 15<br />
Telephone: 041 375 05 05<br />
Fax: 041 375 05 00<br />
Internet: <a href="http://www.ahvluzern.ch" target="_blank" shape="rect">www.ahvluzern.ch</a><br />
<h2>NE</h2>
Office cantonal de l'assurance maladie<br />
Espace de l&rsquo;Europe 2<br />
Case postale 716<br />
2002 Neuch&acirc;tel<br />
Telephone: 032 889 66 30<br />
Fax: 032 889 60 92<br />
E-mail: <a href="mailto:Office.AssuranceMaladie@ne.ch" shape="rect">Office.AssuranceMaladie@ne.ch</a><br />
Internet: <a href="http://www.ne.ch" target="_blank" shape="rect">www.ne.ch</a><br />
<h2>NW</h2>
Ausgleichskasse Nidwalden<br />
Stansstaderstrasse 88<br />
6371 Stans<br />
Telephone: 041 618 51 00<br />
Fax: 041 618 51 01<br />
E-mail: <a href="mailto:info@aknw.ch" shape="rect">info@aknw.ch</a><br />
Internet: <a href="http://www.aknw.ch" target="_blank" shape="rect">www.aknw.ch</a><br />
<h2>OW</h2>
Gesundheitsamt<br />
St. Antonistrasse 4<br />
Postfach 1243<br />
6061 Sarnen<br />
Telephone: 041 666 64 58<br />
Fax: 041 666 61 15<br />
E-mail: <a href="mailto:gesundheitsamt@ow.ch" shape="rect">gesundheitsamt@ow.ch</a><br />
Internet: <a href="http://www.ow.ch" target="_blank" shape="rect">www.ow.ch</a><br />
<h2>SG</h2>
Municipality of domicile, of residence or of work (cross-border commuters)<br />
<h2>SH</h2>
Sozialversicherungsamt Schaffhausen<br />
Oberstadt 9<br />
8200 Schaffhausen<br />
Telephone: 052 632 61 11<br />
Fax: 052 632 61 99<br />
E-mail: <a href="mailto:info@svash.ch" shape="rect">info@svash.ch</a><br />
Internet: <a href="http://www.svash.ch" target="_blank" shape="rect">www.svash.ch</a><br />
<h2>SO</h2>
Amt f&uuml;r soziale Sicherheit<br />
Ambassadorenhof<br />
4509 Solothurn<br />
Telephone: 032 627 23 11<br />
Fax: 032 627 76 81<br />
E-mail: <a href="mailto:aso@ddi.so.ch" shape="rect">aso@ddi.so.ch</a><br />
Internet: <a href="http://www.aso.so.ch" target="_blank" shape="rect">www.aso.so.ch</a><br />
<h2>SZ</h2>
Ausgleichskasse Schwyz<br />
Abteilung Leistungen (KVG)<br />
Postfach 53<br />
6431 Schwyz<br />
Telephone: 041 819 04 25<br />
Fax: 041 819 05 25<br />
E-mail: <a href="mailto:info@aksz.ch" shape="rect">info@aksz.ch</a><br />
Internet: <a href="http://www.aksz.ch" target="_blank" shape="rect">www.aksz.ch</a><br />
<h2>TG</h2>
Municipality of domicile, of residence or of work (cross-border commuters)<br />
<br />
Gesundheitsamt des Kantons Thurgau<br />
Z&uuml;rcherstrasse 194a<br />
8510 Frauenfeld<br />
Telephone: 052 724 22 73<br />
Fax: 052 724 28 10<br />
E-mail: <a href="mailto:gesundheitsamt@tg.ch" shape="rect">gesundheitsamt@tg.ch</a><br />
Internet: <a href="http://www.gesundheitsamt.tg.ch" target="_blank" shape="rect">www.gesundheitsamt.tg.ch</a><br />
<h2>TI</h2>
Ufficio dei contributi<br />
Settore obbligo assicurativo<br />
Via Ghiringhelli 15a<br />
6501 Bellinzona<br />
Telephone: 091 821 91 11<br />
Fax: 091 821 93 99<br />
E-mail: <a href="mailto:obbligo@ias.ti.ch" shape="rect">obbligo@ias.ti.ch</a><br />
Internet: <a href="http://www.ti.ch" target="_blank" shape="rect">www.ti.ch</a><br />
<h2>UR</h2>
Amt f&uuml;r Gesundheit<br />
Klausenstrasse 4<br />
6460 Altdorf<br />
Telephone: 041 875 21 51<br />
Fax: 041 875 21 54<br />
E-mail: <a href="mailto:ds.gsud@ur.ch" shape="rect">ds.gsud@ur.ch</a><br />
Internet: <a href="http://www.ur.ch" target="_blank" shape="rect">www.ur.ch</a><br />
<h2>VD</h2>
Office vaudois de l'assurance-maladie (OVAM)<br />
Ch. de Mornex 40<br />
1014 Lausanne<br />
Telephone: 021 557 47 47<br />
Fax: 021 557 47 50<br />
E-mail: <a href="mailto:info.ovam@vd.ch" shape="rect">info.ovam@vd.ch</a><br />
Internet: <a href="http://www.vd.ch/ovam" target="_blank" shape="rect">www.vd.ch/ovam</a><br />
<h2>VS</h2>
Municipality of domicile, of residence or of work (cross-border commuters)<br />
<h2>ZG</h2>
Municipality of domicile, of residence or of work (cross-border commuters)<br />
<h2>ZH</h2>
Gesundheitsdirektion Kanton Z&uuml;rich<br />
Pr&auml;mienverbilligung / Versicherungsobligatorium<br />
Stampfenbachstrasse 30<br />
8090 Z&uuml;rich<br />
Telephone: 043 259 24 38<br />
Fax: 043 259 52 10<br />
E-mail: <a href="mailto:kvg@gd.zh.ch" shape="rect">kvg@gd.zh.ch</a><br />
Internet: <a href="http://www.gd.zh.ch" target="_blank" shape="rect">www.gd.zh.ch</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<p>Source: <a href="http://www.bag.admin.ch/themen/krankenversicherung/06377/10007/index.html?lang=en" target="_blank" shape="rect">Federal Office of Public Health</a> (last updated on 01.10.2013)</p>

Exemption from mandatory health insurance

befreiung-versicherungspflicht

Definition of treatment. Who are the care providers for examinations and diagnosis of patients?

<p>A distinction is made between benefits for <a href="/krankenkassen/info/glossar/ambulante-leistungen.aspx">outpatient</a> and <a href="/krankenkassen/info/glossar/stationaere-leistungen.aspx">inpatient</a> treatment.</p>
For example:<br />
<br />
<b>Providers of outpatient treatment</b><br />
Physicians<br />
Physiotherapists and occupational therapists<br />
Midwives<br />
Laboratories<br />
Nutritionists and diabetes advisers<br />
<br />
<b>Providers of inpatient treatment</b><br />
Hospitals<br />
Psychiatric wards/hospitals<br />
Rehabilitation clinics<br />
Therapy and wellness centres<br />
Nursing homes<br />

Types of medical treatment

behandlungen

Definition of hospital with affiliated doctors in the Swiss health care system.

<p>In hospitals working with affiliated doctors, patients choose their physicians before being hospitalised. This physician usually also conducts the preliminary examinations. This system is found in most private clinics and in small public or subsidised hospitals.</p>

Hospital with affiliated physicians

belegarzt

Addresses of ombudspersons for health insurance and other insurance types, and of Swiss consumer protection and patient centres.

<h2>Ombudsperson for  health insurance</h2>
Morena Hostettler Socha<br />
Morgartenstr. 9 <br />
6003 Luzern<br />
<a href="mailto:info@om-kv.ch">E-mail</a><br />
<a href="https://www.om-kv.ch/de" target="_blank">Ombudsperson's website</a><br />
<br />
The health insurance ombudsperson is responsible for:
<ul class="plain">
    <li>Membership issues</li>
    <li>Rejected claims / scope of benefits </li>
    <li>Questions regarding premium calculation</li>
    <li>Legal issues concerning mandatory basic insurance (KVG) and supplemental insurance (VVG)</li>
</ul>
<h2>Ombudsperson for private insurance</h2>
Postfach 2646<br />
8022 Zurich<br />
Telephone: 044 211 30 90<br />
Fax: 044 212 52 20 <br />
<a target="_blank" href="http://www.ombudsman-assurance.ch/typo3/index.php?id=165">Ombudsperson's website</a><br />
<br />
Responsible for:
<ul class="plain">
    <li>Disputes with private insurers</li>
</ul>
<h2>Legal advice centre for accident victims and patients (UP)</h2>
Lindenstr. 38 <br />
8008 Zurich <br />
Telephone: 0800 707 277 <br />
<a href="mailto:mail@rechtsberatung-up.ch">mail@rechtsberatung-up.ch</a> <br />
<br />
Responsible for:<br />
<ul class="plain">
    <li>Personal counselling and legal advice</li>
</ul>
<h2>DVSP &ndash; Confederation of Swiss patient centres</h2>
Hofwiesenstr. 3 <br />
Postfach <br />
8042 Zurich<br />
Telephone: 044 361 92 56 <br />
<a target="_Blank" href="http://www.patientenstelle.ch/">Website</a><br />
<br />
Responsible for:
<ul class="plain">
    <li>Information on patients' rights</li>
    <li>Personal counselling and legal advice</li>
</ul>
<h2>Swiss Dental Association (SSO)</h2>
M&uuml;nzgraben 2 <br />
Postfach 664<br />
3000 Bern 7<br />
Telephone: 031 311 76 28<br />
Fax: 031 311 74 70 <br />
<a href="mailto:sekretariat@sso.ch">E-mail</a> <br />
<a target="_blank" href="http://www.sso.ch/">SSO website</a> <br />
<br />
Responsible for:
<ul class="plain">
    <li>Complaints regarding dental treatment and dentists' fees</li>
</ul>
<h2>Swiss Medical Association (FMH)</h2>
General Secretariat P.O.&nbsp;Box 170<br />
Elfenstr. 18 <br />
3006 Bern<br />
Telephone: 031 359 11 11<br />
Fax: 031 359 11 12<br />
<a href="http://www.fmh.ch/" target="_blank">www.fmh.ch</a> <br />
<br />
Responsible for:
<ul class="plain">
    <li>Complaints regarding medical treatment and doctors' fees</li>
</ul>
<h2>Consumer protection foundation (SKS)</h2>
Monbijoustrasse 61<br />
Postfach <br />
3000 Bern 23<br />
Telephone: 0900 900 440 CHF 2.90/Min)<br />
Office: 031 370 24 24<br />
Fax: 031 372 00 27 <br />
<a href="mailto:admin@konsumentenschutz.ch">E-mail</a> <br />
<a target="_blank" href="http://www.konsumentenschutz.ch/">SKS website</a> <br />
<br />
Responsible for:
<ul class="plain">
    <li>Advice booklets and tests concerning various consumer issues</li>
    <li>Personal counselling</li>
</ul>
<h2>Consumer forum (kf)</h2>
Belpstrasse 11 <br />
3007 Bern <br />
Telephone: 031 380 50 34<br />
Consultation hotline: 031 380 50 34<br />
Fax: 031 380 50 31<br />
<a href="mailto:forum@konsum.ch">E-mail</a><br />
<a href="http://www.konsum.ch/" target="_blank">www.konsum.ch</a><br />
<br />
Responsible for:
<ul class="plain">
    <li>Advice on issues regarding household, consumption and environment: short information free of charge, further counselling invoiced based on the time invested</li>
    <li>Ombudsperson on the subjects of textiles, e-commerce and meat</li>
</ul>
<h2>Consumer association of Western Switzerland (FRC)</h2>
Rue de Gen&egrave;ve 7 <br />
CP 6151 <br />
1002 Lausanne<br />
Telephone: 021 331 00 90<br />
Fax: 021 331 00 91<br />
Hotline: 0900 575 105 (CHF 2.85/Min.)<br />
<a href="mailto:info@frc.ch">E-mail</a><br />
<a href="http://www.frc.ch/" target="_blank">www.frc.ch</a> <br />
<br />
Responsible for:
<ul class="plain">
    <li>Advice on consumer issues</li>
    <li>Personal budget counselling service</li>
    <li>"J'ach&egrave;te Mieux" magazine</li>
</ul>
<p>&nbsp;</p>

Advice centres for policyholders

beratungsstellen-versicherte

Save premiums thanks to bonus insurance. If no benefits were claimed for a year, the bonus level is increased accordingly. 

<p>Some of the larger health insurance companies offer their customers bonus models. Generally, a supplementary fee of 10&nbsp;percent of the basic insurance premium for the 300-franc deductible are paid in the first year (a higher deductible or alternative models such as the HMO or family doctor model are not available with the bonus model). The premium then decreases with every year in which no benefits were claimed: in the second year to 85&nbsp;percent, in the third year to 75&nbsp;percent, in the fourth year to 65&nbsp;percent and in the fifth year to a minimum of 55&nbsp;percent. The law does not permit a premium discount of more than 50&nbsp;percent. If the policyholder claims benefits, the insurer downgrades him/her to a an inferior discount level the following year. </p>
    <p>The policyholder is committed to a certain minimum term of contract, which is more than one year. Furthermore, the period of notice for bonus models is increased from one to three months.&nbsp; <br /></p>

Bonus insurance

bonusversicherung

Since 2011, basic insurance no longer pays anything towards the cost of optical aids like glasses and contact lenses for adults. Children are still entitled to CHF 180 per year.

<h4>How much does basic insurance pay?</h4>
<ul>
    <li>Since 2011, adults no longer receive a contribution towards their glasses or contact lenses through their <a href="/krankenkassen/info/glossar/grundversicherung">basic mandatory insurance</a>. Basic insurance offers 180 francs per eye once a year but only if the condition has a medical cause, such as diabetes, opacity of lens, eye muscle disorders, lazy eye, medication use or eye operations (e.g. for glaucoma).</li>
    <li>Basic insurance still makes a contribution for children. It will cover 180 francs of the cost of glasses per calendar year. This applies until the child's 18th birthday. If this cover isn't enough, you can take out an appropriate supplemental insurance policy.</li>
</ul>
<h4><strong>How much does supplemental insurance pay?</strong></h4>
<ul>
    <li>If you don't want to pay for your glasses and other optical aids yourself, you can take out an appropriate <a href="/krankenkassen/info/glossar/zusatzversicherung">supplemental insurance</a> policy. This is available for less than ten francs per month.</li>
    <li>Some policies will even pay out up to 1,000 francs for laser eye treatment. </li>
    <li>However, as a rule, it is not worth taking out this kind of comprehensive package simply to get a contribution for your glasses or contact lenses, especially considering that the annual cover is usually limited to 150 to 200 francs.</li>
    <li>Example: The monthly premium for supplemental insurance is 10 francs, which is 120 francs per year. For a pair of glasses, the insurance company would pay 150 francs per year (note that this contribution cannot be cumulated over the years). If you choose a cheap pair of glasses, costing around 200 francs, you would have paid 120 francs in premiums and saved just 30 francs (150-120=30) on your purchase.</li>
</ul>
<div><a href="/krankenkassen/zusatzversicherung/input/step1" class="icon-right strong button" data-ct-area="krankenkassen" data-ct-id="krankenkassen info ueber zusatzversicherung umfrage crossselling vergleichen bottom" data-role="button" data-ct-subtype="CrossSellingButton" data-ct-type="CrossSelling" data-ct="true" data-theme="p"><em class="fa fa-chevron-right"></em>Compare supplemental insurance</a></div>
<p>&nbsp;</p>

Will the health insurance provider pay for glasses and contact lenses?

brille

The Federal Office of Public Health is supervisory authority over basic health insurance and licensing authority for premiums and benefits. 

		<p>Since January 2004, the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) has been the supervising authority for the social health insurance system (basic insurance) &ndash; amongst other things &ndash; as well as the licensing authority for premiums and benefits of the <a href="/krankenkassen/info/glossar/grundversicherung">mandatory basic insurance</a>. The FOPH took over the previous responsibilities of the Federal Social Insurance Office (<a href="/krankenkassen/info/glossar/bundesamt-fuer-sozialversicherung">FSIO</a>) in the health insurance area.
</p>
<p> Federal Office of Public Health <a href="http://www.bag.admin.ch/index.html?lang=en" target="_blank">FOPH</a><br />3003 Bern<br />Telephone: 031 322 21 11<br />www.bag.admin.ch</p>

Federal Office of Public Health – FOPH

bundesamt-fuer-gesundheit

supervisory authority over private health insurance and licensing authority for premiums and benefits. 

<p>The Federal Office of Private Insurance (FOPI) was the supervising authority responsible for the area of private insurance until 31 December 2008. In the health insurance area, the FOPI was in charge of legal matters concerning optional insurance enhancements (<a href="/krankenkassen/info/glossar/zusatzversicherung">supplemental insurance</a>) and acted as licensing authority for the corresponding premiums and benefits. </p>
<p>Since 1 January 2009, state supervision of insurance companies, banks, and other financial intermediaries has been centralised under the responsibility of the Federal Financial Market Supervisory Authority (<a href="/krankenkassen/info/glossar/finanzmarktaufsicht">FINMA</a>). </p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>

Federal Office of Private Insurance (FOPI)

bundesamt-fuer-privatversicherungen

Definition of Federal Social Insurance Office (FSIO). All information on health insurance and the premium comparison in the glossary by comparis.ch

<p>Up until the end of 2003, the Federal Social Insurance Office (FSIO) was the supervising authority for the social health insurance system (basic insurance) &ndash; amongst other things &ndash; as well as the licensing authority for premiums and benefits of the <a href="/krankenkassen/info/glossar/grundversicherung">mandatory basic insurance</a>. Since January 2004, the Federal Office of Public Health <a href="/krankenkassen/info/glossar/bundesamt-fuer-gesundheit">(FOPH)</a> has been in charge of these areas. </p>
Federal Social Insurance Office <a href="http://www.bsv.admin.ch/index.html?lang=en" target="_blank">(FSIO)</a><br />
Effingerstrasse 20<br />
3003 Bern<br />
Telephone: +41 (0)31 322 90 11<br />
www.bsv.admin.ch<br />

Federal Social Insurance Office 

bundesamt-fuer-sozialversicherung

Definition Insurance Policies Act (VVG). All information on health insurance and the premium comparison in the glossary by comparis.ch

<p>The Federal Act of 1908 on Insurance Policies provides the legal basis for insurance policies under private law. In the health insurance area, both <a href="/krankenkassen/info/glossar/zusatzversicherung">supplemental insurance</a> and <a href="/krankenkassen/info/glossar/krankentaggeld">daily sickness allowance insurance according to VVG</a> fall into this category. In the case of insurance according to the VVG, providers may reject applications for affiliation (freedom of contract), define different premiums depending on age, gender, state of health and other criteria, and offer collective agreements with premium discounts. Terms of cancellation vary from one health insurance provider to another. </p>
<p><a href="http://www.admin.ch/ch/d/sr/c221_229_1.html" target="_blank">Legal text</a> (not available in English)</p>

Insurance Policies Act (VVG)

bundesgesetz-versicherungsvertrag-vvg

Definition copyright comparis. All information on health insurances and the premium comparison in the glossary on comparis.ch


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Important legal information

comparis-copyright

<p>Debit Direct (DD) is the postal debiting service and a possibility for cashless payments.</p>
<p>The premiums are directly charged to the post bank account. If you wish premium payments to be made via Debit Direct,&nbsp;you will have to confirm this&nbsp;with your signature on the application form.</p>

Debit Direct

debit-direct

Definition of double insurance in the Swiss health care system. The health insurance glossary by comparis.ch

<b>Basic health insurance:</b>
<p>For mandatory basic insurance, the following provisions apply: your application to a new company is provisional until it receives confirmation of your cancellation from your current insurer. This way, no one has to pay double premiums for basic health insurance if they missed the cancellation deadline. </p>
<b>Supplemental insurance:</b>
<p>Applications for supplemental insurance are legally binding, which means that, after submitting the signed offer, the applicant is bound for 14 days (Insurance Policies Act, Art. 1). Should he be rejected or only accepted with certain&nbsp;restrictions, the applicant is freed once again. However, if a medical examination is required, the applicant will even remain bound for 4 weeks. There is no right of withdrawal as is the case for door-to-door sales, unless the contract explicitly states the right of withdrawal. </p>
<p>Double insurance is possible with supplemental insurance: if an applicant is accepted but has missed the cancellation deadline for his former insurance provider, he has to pay both premiums.&nbsp;The new insurance company may agree to postpone or suspend coverage, but is not obliged to do so. </p>

Double insurance

doppelversicherung

<p>Twenty health insurance providers will charge a one-time premium supplement in 2016. In some cases, this will not be set apart from the approved premiums for 2016 clearly enough. These supplements are connected with the <a href="/krankenkassen/info/glossar/praemienkorrektur.aspx" target="_blank">premium correction</a>, which is being carried out from 2015 through 2017. The Confederation, the health insurers and the policyholders each contribute one third toward the premium correction. This is necessary because, from 1996 to 2013, policyholders ostensibly were charged premiums that were too low in some cantons and too high in others. It does not matter with which insurance company an insured person is or was insured in the past. The only thing that counts is the current canton of residence.</p>
<p>In those cantons where the premiums charged between 1996 and 2013 were found to have been too high, the health insurers must contribute 33&nbsp;francs per policyholder toward the premium correction. They can either pass these charges on to their policyholders in the form of a one-time supplement or they can finance it from their own reserves. However, they may only resort to the latter option if they have an excess of reserves. According to the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH), the insurance companies listed below are obliged to charge a one-time supplement to their policyholders in all the cantons in which they are active. This makes 2.75&nbsp;francs per person per month. The supplement should be listed on the policy along with the environmental tax and the premium correction.</p>
<p>When you carry out a <a href="/krankenkassen/grundversicherung/praemien/input">comparison</a> of health insurance premiums, please note that a monthly surcharge applies with the following companies:</p>
<div class="ym-grid ym-gc">
<div class="ym-gc-2">
<ul class="plain">
    <li>Arcosana (CSS Group) </li>
    <li>Avanex (Helsana Group) </li>
    <li>CMVEO </li>
    <li>CSS (CSS Group) </li>
    <li>Easy Sana (Groupe Mutuel) </li>
    <li>EGK-Gesundheitskasse </li>
    <li>Glarner Krankenversicherung </li>
    <li>Klug </li>
    <li>Kolping </li>
    <li>KPT / CPT </li>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="ym-gc-2">
<ul class="plain">
    <li>Krankenkasse Birchmeier </li>
    <li>Krankenkasse Luzerner Hinterland </li>
    <li>Krankenkasse Simplon </li>
    <li>Krankenkasse Steffisburg </li>
    <li>Krankenkasse Stoffel </li>
    <li>&Ouml;KK </li>
    <li>Rhenusana </li>
    <li>Sanagate (CSS Group) </li>
    <li>Sanitas (Sanitas Group) </li>
    <li>Wincare (Sanitas Group) </li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
<p>All other insurance companies finance the premium recovery by digging into their reserves. They were required to provide appropriate evidence, which was approved by the Federal Office of Public Health.</p>
<br />
<p>Source: <a href="/-/media/comparisons/krankenkassen/glossar/einmalzuschlag.pdf" target="_blank">Federal Office of Public Health</a> (in German; last updated on 24/09/2015)</p>

One-time supplement – health insurance

einmalzuschlag

Definition of admission age. All information on health insurance and the premium comparison in the glossary by comparis.ch

<p>Your age at the time you joined the health insurance company with which you are currently insured.</p>

Admission age

eintrittsalter

Definition of admission age tariff. All information about health insurance and the premium comparison in the glossary from comparis.ch

<p>This premium model in the area of supplemental hospital insurance takes into account the entry age of the insured &ndash; as opposed to the <a href="/krankenkassen/info/glossar/lebensaltertarif" shape="rect">current age tariff</a>. The age risk is spread over the entire term of contract. This means that policyholders have to pay higher premiums at a younger age than they would with the current age tariff, but later on premiums only increase within the scope of cost developments in the healthcare system and the insurance company's risk structure. Insurance products with an admission age tariff are available at Groupe Mutuel (GM), Swica and Sanitas.</p>

Admission age tariff

eintrittsaltertarif

Definition of fee for service (FFS). All information about health insurance and the premium comparison in the glossary from comparis.ch

<p>With standard basic health insurance, a doctor charges his patients for each individual service. This is why it is called a 'fee for service' system (in short: FFS).</p>
<p>The consequence of payment according to the FFS principle is that the more services a doctor performs for a patient, the more he earns. Even if he provides treatment the patient does not actually need, he will still be compensated for it. In retrospect, it is practically impossible to prove that a medical service would, in fact, have been unnecessary.</p>
<p>In Switzerland, there are, as yet, no binding guidelines relating to medical treatment that help determine which measures should be deemed necessary and expedient for a certain medical condition and which ones can no longer be considered appropriate.</p>
<p>This means that doctors can influence their income to a certain extent. It is one of the reasons why the number of health care services provided in Switzerland has increased. This increase leads to higher costs. In order for insurance companies to be able to pay for these costs, they have to increase their premiums year after year. </p>
<p>Other payment systems: <a href="/krankenkassen/info/glossar/zeittarif" shape="rect">time-based fees</a>, <a href="/krankenkassen/info/glossar/pauschaltarif" shape="rect">flat fees</a></p>

Fee for service (FFS)

einzelleistungsverguetung

Definition of the region a family doctor covers. All information on health insurance and the premium comparison in the glossary by comparis.ch

<p>Physicians affiliated to alternative insurance models only accept patients within a certain radius of their practice (their region). Since the relevant regions may vary depending on the family doctor, it is recommended to contact the preferred doctor in advance.</p>

Region (family doctor)

einzugsgebiet-hausarzt

Which health insurance provider offers the greatest premium discount for large families?

<p>Basically, all health insurance companies offer reduced premiums for basic insurance for children under the age of 18. With some health insurers, families with many children can benefit even more because, for instance, the third and every further child included in the policy benefit from a family discount.</p>
<p>Comparing pays off. The discounts of the following providers are taken into consideration in the <a shape="rect" href="/krankenkassen/grundversicherung/praemien/input">family comparison</a>:</p>
<table style="width: 50%;" class="TableResultDataXP" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0">
    <tbody>
        <tr class="RowResultDataTitle">
            <td style="width: 12px;" class="CellResultDataTitle Spacer"> </td>
            <td class="CellResultDataTitle"><strong>Insurance company</strong></td>
            <td class="CellResultDataTitle Divider"> </td>
            <td class="CellResultDataTitle"><strong>Family discount</strong></td>
        </tr>
        <tr class="RowResultDataSeparator">
            <td colspan="8" class="CellResultDataSeparatorThick"> </td>
        </tr>
        <tr class="RowResultData">
            <td style="width: 12px;" class="CellResultData Spacer"> </td>
            <td style="vertical-align: top;" class="CellResultData"><a shape="rect" href="/krankenkassen/anbieter/agrisano.aspx">Agrisano</a></td>
            <td class="CellResultData Divider"> </td>
            <td style="vertical-align: top;" class="CellResultData">From the 3<sup>rd</sup> child</td>
        </tr>
        <tr class="RowResultDataSeparator">
            <td colspan="8" class="CellResultDataSeparatorThin"> </td>
        </tr>
        <tr class="RowResultData">
            <td style="width: 12px;" class="CellResultData Spacer"> </td>
            <td style="vertical-align: top;" class="CellResultData"><a shape="rect" href="/krankenkassen/anbieter/aquilana-versicherung.aspx">Aquilana</a></td>
            <td class="CellResultData Divider"> </td>
            <td style="vertical-align: top;" class="CellResultData">From the 3<sup>rd</sup> child</td>
        </tr>
        <tr class="RowResultDataSeparator">
            <td colspan="8" class="CellResultDataSeparatorThin"> </td>
        </tr>
        <tr class="RowResultData">
            <td style="width: 12px;" class="CellResultData Spacer"> </td>
            <td style="vertical-align: top;" class="CellResultData"><a shape="rect" href="/krankenkassen/anbieter/assura-versicherung.aspx">Assura</a></td>
            <td class="CellResultData Divider"> </td>
            <td style="vertical-align: top;" class="CellResultData">From the 2<sup>nd</sup> child</td>
        </tr>
        <tr class="RowResultDataSeparator">
            <td colspan="8" class="CellResultDataSeparatorThin"> </td>
        </tr>
        <tr class="RowResultData">
            <td style="width: 12px;" class="CellResultData Spacer"> </td>
            <td style="vertical-align: top;" class="CellResultData"><a shape="rect" href="/krankenkassen/anbieter/compact-versicherung.aspx">Compact</a></td>
            <td class="CellResultData Divider"> </td>
            <td style="vertical-align: top;" class="CellResultData">From the 2<sup>nd</sup> child</td>
        </tr>
        <tr class="RowResultDataSeparator">
            <td colspan="8" class="CellResultDataSeparatorThin"> </td>
        </tr>
        <tr class="RowResultData">
            <td style="width: 12px;" class="CellResultData Spacer"> </td>
            <td style="vertical-align: top;" class="CellResultData"><a shape="rect" href="/krankenkassen/anbieter/concordia-versicherung.aspx">Concordia</a></td>
            <td class="CellResultData Divider"> </td>
            <td style="vertical-align: top;" class="CellResultData">From the 3<sup>rd</sup> child</td>
        </tr>
        <tr class="RowResultDataSeparator">
            <td colspan="8" class="CellResultDataSeparatorThin"> </td>
        </tr>
        <tr class="RowResultData">
            <td style="width: 12px;" class="CellResultData Spacer"> </td>
            <td style="vertical-align: top;" class="CellResultData"><a shape="rect" href="/krankenkassen/anbieter/egk-gesundheitskasse.aspx">EGK-Gesundheitskasse</a></td>
            <td class="CellResultData Divider"> </td>
            <td style="vertical-align: top;" class="CellResultData">From the 3<sup>rd</sup> child</td>
        </tr>
        <tr class="RowResultDataSeparator">
            <td colspan="8" class="CellResultDataSeparatorThin"> </td>
        </tr>
        <tr class="RowResultData">
            <td style="width: 12px;" class="CellResultData Spacer"> </td>
            <td style="vertical-align: top;" class="CellResultData"><a shape="rect" href="/krankenkassen/anbieter/birchmeier-krankenkasse.aspx">KK Birchmeier</a></td>
            <td class="CellResultData Divider"> </td>
            <td style="vertical-align: top;" class="CellResultData">From the 3<sup>rd</sup> child</td>
        </tr>
        <tr class="RowResultDataSeparator">
            <td colspan="8" class="CellResultDataSeparatorThin"> </td>
        </tr>
        <tr class="RowResultData">
            <td style="width: 12px;" class="CellResultData Spacer"> </td>
            <td style="vertical-align: top;" class="CellResultData"><a shape="rect" href="/krankenkassen/anbieter/luzerner-hinterland.aspx">KK Luzerner Hinterland</a></td>
            <td class="CellResultData Divider"> </td>
            <td style="vertical-align: top;" class="CellResultData">From the 3<sup>rd</sup> child</td>
        </tr>
        <tr class="RowResultDataSeparator">
            <td colspan="8" class="CellResultDataSeparatorThin"> </td>
        </tr>
        <tr class="RowResultData">
            <td style="width: 12px;" class="CellResultData Spacer"> </td>
            <td style="vertical-align: top;" class="CellResultData"><a shape="rect" href="/krankenkassen/anbieter/kkv-versicherung.aspx">KK Visperterminen</a></td>
            <td class="CellResultData Divider"> </td>
            <td style="vertical-align: top;" class="CellResultData">From the 3<sup>rd</sup> child</td>
        </tr>
        <tr class="RowResultDataSeparator">
            <td colspan="8" class="CellResultDataSeparatorThin"> </td>
        </tr>
        <tr class="RowResultData">
            <td style="width: 12px;" class="CellResultData Spacer"> </td>
            <td style="vertical-align: top;" class="CellResultData"><a shape="rect" href="/krankenkassen/anbieter/oekk-versicherung.aspx">&Ouml;KK</a></td>
            <td class="CellResultData Divider"> </td>
            <td style="vertical-align: top;" class="CellResultData">From the 3<sup>rd</sup> child</td>
        </tr>
        <tr class="RowResultDataSeparator">
            <td colspan="8" class="CellResultDataSeparatorThin"> </td>
        </tr>
        <tr class="RowResultData">
            <td style="width: 12px;" class="CellResultData Spacer"> </td>
            <td style="vertical-align: top;" class="CellResultData"><a shape="rect" href="/krankenkassen/anbieter/progres-assurance.aspx">Progr&egrave;s</a></td>
            <td class="CellResultData Divider"> </td>
            <td style="vertical-align: top;" class="CellResultData">From the 3<sup>rd</sup> child</td>
        </tr>
        <tr class="RowResultDataSeparator">
            <td colspan="8" class="CellResultDataSeparatorThin"> </td>
        </tr>
        <tr class="RowResultData">
            <td style="width: 12px;" class="CellResultData Spacer"> </td>
            <td style="vertical-align: top;" class="CellResultData"><a shape="rect" href="/krankenkassen/anbieter/provita-gesundheitsversicherung.aspx">Provita</a></td>
            <td class="CellResultData Divider"> </td>
            <td style="vertical-align: top;" class="CellResultData">From the 3<sup>rd</sup> child</td>
        </tr>
        <tr class="RowResultDataSeparator">
            <td colspan="8" class="CellResultDataSeparatorThin"> </td>
        </tr>
        <tr class="RowResultData">
            <td style="width: 12px;" class="CellResultData Spacer"> </td>
            <td style="vertical-align: top;" class="CellResultData"><a shape="rect" href="/krankenkassen/anbieter/rhenusana-versicherung.aspx">Rhenusana</a></td>
            <td class="CellResultData Divider"> </td>
            <td style="vertical-align: top;" class="CellResultData">From the 3<sup>rd</sup> child</td>
        </tr>
        <tr class="RowResultDataSeparator">
            <td colspan="8" class="CellResultDataSeparatorThin"> </td>
        </tr>
        <tr class="RowResultData">
            <td style="width: 12px;" class="CellResultData Spacer"> </td>
            <td style="vertical-align: top;" class="CellResultData"><a shape="rect" href="/krankenkassen/anbieter/sana24.aspx">Sana24</a></td>
            <td class="CellResultData Divider"> </td>
            <td style="vertical-align: top;" class="CellResultData">From the 3<sup>rd</sup> child</td>
        </tr>
        <tr class="RowResultDataSeparator">
            <td colspan="8" class="CellResultDataSeparatorThin"> </td>
        </tr>
        <tr class="RowResultData">
            <td style="width: 12px;" class="CellResultData Spacer"> </td>
            <td style="vertical-align: top;" class="CellResultData"><a shape="rect" href="/krankenkassen/anbieter/sanitas-krankenversicherung.aspx">Sanitas</a></td>
            <td class="CellResultData Divider"> </td>
            <td style="vertical-align: top;" class="CellResultData">From the 2<sup>nd</sup> child</td>
        </tr>
        <tr class="RowResultDataSeparator">
            <td colspan="8" class="CellResultDataSeparatorThin"> </td>
        </tr>
        <tr class="RowResultData">
            <td style="width: 12px;" class="CellResultData Spacer"> </td>
            <td style="vertical-align: top;" class="CellResultData"><a shape="rect" href="/krankenkassen/anbieter/schweizerische-lehrerkrankenkasse.aspx">Slkk</a></td>
            <td class="CellResultData Divider"> </td>
            <td style="vertical-align: top;" class="CellResultData">From the 3<sup>rd</sup> child</td>
        </tr>
        <tr class="RowResultDataSeparator">
            <td colspan="8" class="CellResultDataSeparatorThin"> </td>
        </tr>
        <tr class="RowResultData">
            <td style="width: 12px;" class="CellResultData Spacer"> </td>
            <td style="vertical-align: top;" class="CellResultData"><a shape="rect" href="/krankenkassen/anbieter/sodalis-krankenversicherer.aspx">Sodalis</a></td>
            <td class="CellResultData Divider"> </td>
            <td style="vertical-align: top;" class="CellResultData">From the 3<sup>rd</sup> child</td>
        </tr>
        <tr class="RowResultDataSeparator">
            <td colspan="8" class="CellResultDataSeparatorThin"> </td>
        </tr>
        <tr class="RowResultData">
            <td style="width: 12px;" class="CellResultData Spacer"> </td>
            <td style="vertical-align: top;" class="CellResultData"><a shape="rect" href="/krankenkassen/anbieter/sumiswalder-kk.aspx">Sumiswalder KK</a></td>
            <td class="CellResultData Divider"> </td>
            <td style="vertical-align: top;" class="CellResultData">From the 3<sup>rd</sup> child</td>
        </tr>
        <tr class="RowResultDataSeparator">
            <td colspan="8" class="CellResultDataSeparatorThin"> </td>
        </tr>
        <tr class="RowResultData">
            <td style="width: 12px;" class="CellResultData Spacer"> </td>
            <td style="vertical-align: top;" class="CellResultData"><a shape="rect" href="/krankenkassen/anbieter/swica-versicherung.aspx">Swica</a></td>
            <td class="CellResultData Divider"> </td>
            <td style="vertical-align: top;" class="CellResultData">From the 3<sup>rd</sup> child</td>
        </tr>
        <tr class="RowResultDataSeparator">
            <td colspan="8" class="CellResultDataSeparatorThin"> </td>
        </tr>
        <tr class="RowResultData">
            <td style="width: 12px;" class="CellResultData Spacer"> </td>
            <td style="vertical-align: top;" class="CellResultData"><a shape="rect" href="/krankenkassen/anbieter/visana-assurance.aspx">Visana</a></td>
            <td class="CellResultData Divider"> </td>
            <td style="vertical-align: top;" class="CellResultData">From the 3<sup>rd</sup> child</td>
        </tr>
        <tr class="RowResultDataSeparator">
            <td colspan="8" class="CellResultDataSeparatorThin"> </td>
        </tr>
        <tr class="RowResultData">
            <td style="width: 12px;" class="CellResultData Spacer"> </td>
            <td style="vertical-align: top;" class="CellResultData"><a shape="rect" href="/krankenkassen/anbieter/vivacare-assurance.aspx">Vivacare</a></td>
            <td class="CellResultData Divider"> </td>
            <td style="vertical-align: top;" class="CellResultData">From the 3<sup>rd</sup> child</td>
        </tr>
    </tbody>
</table>
<br>
<p>Last update: 26/09/2016</p>
<p><strong></strong></p>
<p><strong>Tip:</strong> In order to receive further discounts on your basic insurance, select a higher <a shape="rect" href="/krankenkassen/info/glossar/franchise">deductible</a> or an alternative insurance model such as <a shape="rect" href="/krankenkassen/info/glossar/hmo.aspx">HMO</a>, <a shape="rect" href="/krankenkassen/info/glossar/hausarzt-modell">family doctor</a> or <a shape="rect" href="/Krankenkassen/info/glossar/telmed.aspx">Telmed</a>. </p>

Family discounts

familienrabatte

<p>The Federal Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) supervises insurance companies, banks, stock exchanges, securities dealers and other financial intermediaries. It aims at protecting creditors, investors and policyholders as well as the functionality of the financial markets.</p>
<p>In the health insurance area, the FINMA is responsible for the optional insurance enhancements (<a href="/krankenkassen/info/glossar/zusatzversicherung">supplemental health insurance</a>).</p>
<p>Federal Financial Market Supervisory Authority FINMA<br />
Einsteinstrasse 2<br />
CH-3003 Bern<br />
Telephone: +41 31 327 91 00<br />
Fax: +41 31 327 91 01<br />
E-mail: <a href="mailto:info@finma.ch">info@finma.ch</a></p>

Financial Market Supervisory Authority – FINMA

finanzmarktaufsicht

The cost of a gym membership can quickly mount up. Many health insurers pay a contribution towards the annual fee. Which insurers pay what, at comparis.ch

<p>Gym memberships and fitness-related costs are not covered by <a href="/krankenkassen/info/glossar/grundversicherung">mandatory basic insurance</a>, but by&nbsp;the <a href="/krankenkassen/info/glossar/zusatzversicherung">supplemental outpatient insurance policies</a>&nbsp;offered by some health insurers.</p>
<p>These supplemental insurance packages cover a portion of the costs incurred in conjunction with gyms, fitness classes and health-promoting activities, such as aerobics, antenatal exercises and preventive courses.</p>
<div><a href="/gesundheit/fitness/gesundheit-praevention/analyse/fitnessstudio-vergleich" class="icon-right strong button" data-ct-area="gesundheit" data-ct-id="gesundheit fitnessstudio-vergleich" data-role="button" data-ct-subtype="CrossSellingButton" data-ct-type="CrossSelling" data-ct="true" data-theme="p"><em class="fa fa-chevron-right"></em>Compare gyms</a></div>
<br />
<h4>Tips on gym membership benefits and supplemental insurance</h4>
<ul>
    <li>Benefits relating to out-of-pocket expenses for gym memberships and other fitness-related costs vary enormously. So it&rsquo;s worth comparing supplemental outpatient insurance policies.</li>
    <li>Depending on the health insurer, a maximum of 200 to 500 francs is reimbursed for fitness-related costs per year. However, many insurers pay a maximum rate of 50 to 75 per cent of the costs incurred.</li>
    <li>Not all gyms are accepted by Swiss health insurance providers. Many will only reimburse the costs if the gyms and fitness centres are Qualitop-certified. </li>
    <li>Some supplemental health insurers require you to provide proof that you have completed a defined number of confirmed training sessions before the costs can be reimbursed.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Comparis tip:</strong> Bear in mind that it is rarely worth taking out supplemental insurance just for gym membership and other fitness-related costs. However, if you want other benefits to be covered as well, then a supplemental insurance package could be very good value.<br />
<br />
</p>
<div><a href="/krankenkassen/zusatzversicherung/input/step1" class="icon-right strong button" data-ct-area="krankenkassen" data-ct-id="krankenkassen info ueber zusatzversicherung umfrage crossselling vergleichen bottom" data-role="button" data-ct-subtype="CrossSellingButton" data-ct-type="CrossSelling" data-ct="true" data-theme="p"><em class="fa fa-chevron-right"></em>Compare supplemental insurance</a></div>

Low-cost gym membership thanks to contributions by your health insurer

fitnessabo

Definition of Flex model. All information on health insurance and the premium comparison in the glossary from comparis.ch

<p>The Flex model is a version of <a href="/krankenkassen/info/glossar/spitalzusatz-versicherung.aspx" shape="rect">supplemental hospital insurance</a>. Holders choose a ward upon admission. All costs of treatment in any general ward throughout Switzerland are covered; if semi‑private or private treatment is desired, patients have to pay a previously specified amount or percentage out of pocket.</p>
<p>Examples of out-of-pocket expenses:</p>
<br />
<strong><a href="/krankenkassen/anbieter/arcosana-versicherung.aspx" shape="rect">Arcosana</a> myFlex Balance hospital insurance</strong><br />
<div class="ym-grid">
<div class="ym-g40 ym-gl">Semi-private ward option 1 </div>
<div class="ym-g40 ym-gl">at least 20%, max. CHF&nbsp;2000 per year </div>
</div>
<div class="ym-grid">
<div class="ym-g40 ym-gl">Private ward option 1 </div>
<div class="ym-g40 ym-gl">at least 35%, max. CHF&nbsp;4000 per year </div>
</div>
<div class="ym-grid">
<div class="ym-g40 ym-gl">Semi-private ward option 2 </div>
<div class="ym-g40 ym-gl">no out-of-pocket expenses </div>
</div>
<div class="ym-grid">
<div class="ym-g40 ym-gl">Private ward </div>
<div class="ym-g40 ym-gl">at least 35%, max. CHF&nbsp;2000 per year </div>
</div>
<br />
<strong><a href="/krankenkassen/anbieter/arcosana-versicherung.aspx" shape="rect">Arcosana</a> myFlex Premium hospital insurance</strong><br />
<div class="ym-grid">
<div class="ym-g40 ym-gl">Semi-private ward option 1 </div>
<div class="ym-g40 ym-gl">no out-of-pocket expenses </div>
</div>
<div class="ym-grid">
<div class="ym-g40 ym-gl">Private ward option 1 </div>
<div class="ym-g40 ym-gl">at least 35%, max. CHF&nbsp;2000 per year </div>
</div>
<div class="ym-grid">
<div class="ym-g40 ym-gl">Semi-private ward option 2 </div>
<div class="ym-g40 ym-gl">no out-of-pocket expenses </div>
</div>
<div class="ym-grid">
<div class="ym-g40 ym-gl">Private ward </div>
<div class="ym-g40 ym-gl">no out-of-pocket expenses </div>
</div>
<br />
<strong><a href="/krankenkassen/anbieter/atupri-versicherung.aspx" shape="rect">Atupri</a> Hospital Combo &ndash; Opti 1</strong><br />
<div class="ym-grid">
<div class="ym-g40 ym-gl">Semi-private ward </div>
<div class="ym-g40 ym-gl">at least 40%, max. CHF&nbsp;4000 per year </div>
</div>
<div class="ym-grid">
<div class="ym-g40 ym-gl">Private ward </div>
<div class="ym-g40 ym-gl">at least 50%, max. CHF&nbsp;8000 per year </div>
</div>
<br />
<strong><a href="/krankenkassen/anbieter/atupri-versicherung.aspx" shape="rect">Atupri</a> Hospital Combo &ndash; Opti 2</strong><br />
<div class="ym-grid">
<div class="ym-g40 ym-gl">Semi-private ward </div>
<div class="ym-g40 ym-gl">at least 20%, max. CHF&nbsp;2000 per year </div>
</div>
<div class="ym-grid">
<div class="ym-g40 ym-gl">Private ward </div>
<div class="ym-g40 ym-gl">at least 30%, max. CHF&nbsp;4000 per year </div>
</div>
<br />
<strong><a href="/krankenkassen/anbieter/avanex-versicherung.aspx" shape="rect">Avanex</a> Hospital Flex 1</strong><br />
<div class="ym-grid">
<div class="ym-g40 ym-gl">Semi-private ward </div>
<div class="ym-g40 ym-gl">at least 35%, max. CHF&nbsp;3000 per year </div>
</div>
<div class="ym-grid">
<div class="ym-g40 ym-gl">Private ward </div>
<div class="ym-g40 ym-gl">at least 50%, max. CHF&nbsp;9000 per year </div>
</div>
<br />
<strong><a href="/krankenkassen/anbieter/avanex-versicherung.aspx" shape="rect">Avanex</a> Hospital Flex 2</strong><br />
<div class="ym-grid">
<div class="ym-g40 ym-gl">Semi-private ward </div>
<div class="ym-g40 ym-gl">at least 20%, max. CHF&nbsp;2000 per year </div>
</div>
<div class="ym-grid">
<div class="ym-g40 ym-gl">Private ward </div>
<div class="ym-g40 ym-gl">at least 35%, max. CHF&nbsp;4000 per year </div>
</div>
<br />
<strong><a href="/krankenkassen/anbieter/concordia-versicherung.aspx" shape="rect">Concordia</a> Libero</strong><br />
<div class="ym-grid">
<div class="ym-g40 ym-gl">Semi-private ward </div>
<div class="ym-g40 ym-gl">at least 20%, max. CHF&nbsp;2000 per year </div>
</div>
<div class="ym-grid">
<div class="ym-g40 ym-gl">Private ward </div>
<div class="ym-g40 ym-gl">at least 35%, max. CHF&nbsp;4000 per year </div>
</div>
<br />
<strong><a href="/krankenkassen/anbieter/css-versicherung.aspx" shape="rect">CSS</a> Standard insurance Plus</strong><br />
<div class="ym-grid">
<div class="ym-g40 ym-gl">Semi-private ward </div>
<div class="ym-g40 ym-gl">at least 20%, max. CHF&nbsp;4000 per year </div>
</div>
<div class="ym-grid">
<div class="ym-g40 ym-gl">Private ward </div>
<div class="ym-g40 ym-gl">at least 35%, max. CHF&nbsp;7000 per year </div>
</div>
<br />
<strong>Groupe Mutuel Global Flex</strong><br />
<div class="ym-grid">
<div class="ym-g40 ym-gl">Semi-private ward </div>
<div class="ym-g45 ym-gl">at least CHF&nbsp;400 per day, max. CHF&nbsp;4000 per year </div>
</div>
<div class="ym-grid">
<div class="ym-g40 ym-gl">Private ward </div>
<div class="ym-g45 ym-gl">at least CHF&nbsp;600 per day, max. CHF&nbsp;5000 per year </div>
</div>
<br />
<strong>Groupe Mutuel H-Bonus</strong><br />
<div class="ym-grid">
<div class="ym-g40 ym-gl">Semi-private ward </div>
<div class="ym-g45 ym-gl">at least CHF&nbsp;100 per day, max. 30&nbsp;days per calendar year </div>
</div>
<div class="ym-grid">
<div class="ym-g40 ym-gl">Private ward </div>
<div class="ym-g45 ym-gl">at least CHF&nbsp;200 per day, max. 20&nbsp;days per calendar year </div>
</div>
<br />
<strong><a href="/krankenkassen/anbieter/helsana-versicherung.aspx" shape="rect">Helsana</a> Hospital Flex 1</strong><br />
<div class="ym-grid">
<div class="ym-g40 ym-gl">Semi-private ward </div>
<div class="ym-g40 ym-gl">at least 35%, max. CHF&nbsp;3000 per year </div>
</div>
<div class="ym-grid">
<div class="ym-g40 ym-gl">Private ward </div>
<div class="ym-g40 ym-gl">at least 50%, max. CHF&nbsp;9000 per year </div>
</div>
<br />
<strong><a href="/krankenkassen/anbieter/helsana-versicherung.aspx" shape="rect">Helsana</a> Hospital Flex 2</strong><br />
<div class="ym-grid">
<div class="ym-g40 ym-gl">Semi-private ward </div>
<div class="ym-g40 ym-gl">at least 20%, max. CHF&nbsp;2000 per year </div>
</div>
<div class="ym-grid">
<div class="ym-g40 ym-gl">Private ward </div>
<div class="ym-g40 ym-gl">at least 35%, max. CHF&nbsp;4000 per year </div>
</div>
<br />
<strong><a href="/krankenkassen/anbieter/innova-versicherung.aspx" shape="rect">Innova</a> Sanvita Switch</strong> (for non-smokers)<br />
<div class="ym-grid">
<div class="ym-g40 ym-gl">Semi-private ward </div>
<div class="ym-g55 ym-gl">at least CHF&nbsp;75 per day, max. 30&nbsp;days per calendar year </div>
</div>
<div class="ym-grid">
<div class="ym-g40 ym-gl">Private ward </div>
<div class="ym-g55 ym-gl">at least CHF&nbsp;200 per day, max. 30&nbsp;days per calendar year </div>
</div>
<br />
<strong><a href="/krankenkassen/anbieter/innova-versicherung.aspx" shape="rect">Innova</a> Activa Switch</strong> (for smokers)<br />
<div class="ym-grid">
<div class="ym-g40 ym-gl">Semi-private ward </div>
<div class="ym-g55 ym-gl">at least CHF&nbsp;75 per day, max. 30&nbsp;days per calendar year </div>
</div>
<div class="ym-grid">
<div class="ym-g40 ym-gl">Private ward </div>
<div class="ym-g55 ym-gl">at least CHF&nbsp;200 per day, max. 30&nbsp;days per calendar year</div>
</div>
<br />
<strong><a href="/krankenkassen/anbieter/kolping.aspx" shape="rect">Kolping</a> Flex</strong><br />
<div class="ym-grid">
<div class="ym-g40 ym-gl">Semi-private ward </div>
<div class="ym-g40 ym-gl">at least 35%, max. CHF&nbsp;2000 per year </div>
</div>
<div class="ym-grid">
<div class="ym-g40 ym-gl">Private ward </div>
<div class="ym-g40 ym-gl">at least 50%, max. CHF&nbsp;4000 per year </div>
</div>
<br />
<strong><a href="/krankenkassen/anbieter/maxich-versicherung.aspx" shape="rect">Maxi.ch</a> Individual</strong> (in combination with maxi.zero) <br />
<div class="ym-grid">
<div class="ym-g40 ym-gl">Semi-private ward </div>
<div class="ym-g40 ym-gl">at least 20%, max. CHF&nbsp;2000 per year </div>
</div>
<div class="ym-grid">
<div class="ym-g40 ym-gl">Private ward </div>
<div class="ym-g40 ym-gl">at least 35%, max. CHF&nbsp;4000 per year </div>
</div>
<br />
<strong><a href="/krankenkassen/anbieter/oekk-versicherung.aspx" shape="rect">&Ouml;KK</a> Flex</strong><br />
<div class="ym-grid">
<div class="ym-g40 ym-gl">Semi-private ward </div>
<div class="ym-g40 ym-gl">at least 15%, max. CHF&nbsp;1500 per year </div>
</div>
<div class="ym-grid">
<div class="ym-g40 ym-gl">Private ward </div>
<div class="ym-g40 ym-gl">at least 25%, max. CHF&nbsp;4500 per year </div>
</div>
<br />
<strong><a href="/krankenkassen/anbieter/progres-assurance.aspx" shape="rect">Progr&egrave;s</a> Hospital Flex 1</strong><br />
<div class="ym-grid">
<div class="ym-g40 ym-gl">Semi-private ward </div>
<div class="ym-g40 ym-gl">at least 35%, max. CHF&nbsp;3000 per year </div>
</div>
<div class="ym-grid">
<div class="ym-g40 ym-gl">Private ward </div>
<div class="ym-g40 ym-gl">at least 50%, max. CHF&nbsp;9000 per year </div>
</div>
<br />
<strong><a href="/krankenkassen/anbieter/progres-assurance.aspx" shape="rect">Progr&egrave;s</a> Hospital Flex 2</strong><br />
<div class="ym-grid">
<div class="ym-g40 ym-gl">Semi-private ward </div>
<div class="ym-g40 ym-gl">at least 20%, max. CHF&nbsp;2000 per year </div>
</div>
<div class="ym-grid">
<div class="ym-g40 ym-gl">Private ward </div>
<div class="ym-g40 ym-gl">at least 35%, max. CHF&nbsp;4000 per year </div>
</div>
<br />
<strong><a href="/krankenkassen/anbieter/sana24.aspx" shape="rect">Sana24</a> Hospital Flex option 2/4</strong><br />
<div class="ym-grid">
<div class="ym-g40 ym-gl">Semi-private ward </div>
<div class="ym-g50 ym-gl">max. CHF&nbsp;2000 per calendar year </div>
</div>
<div class="ym-grid">
<div class="ym-g40 ym-gl">Private ward </div>
<div class="ym-g50 ym-gl">max. CHF&nbsp;4000 per calendar year </div>
</div>
<br />
<strong><a href="/krankenkassen/anbieter/sana24.aspx" shape="rect">Sana24</a> Hospital Flex option 4/8</strong><br />
<div class="ym-grid">
<div class="ym-g40 ym-gl">Semi-private ward </div>
<div class="ym-g50 ym-gl">max. CHF&nbsp;4000 per calendar year </div>
</div>
<div class="ym-grid">
<div class="ym-g40 ym-gl">Private ward </div>
<div class="ym-g50 ym-gl">max. CHF&nbsp;8000 per calendar year </div>
</div>
<br />
<strong><a href="/krankenkassen/anbieter/sansan-versicherung.aspx" shape="rect">Sansan</a> Hospital Flex 1</strong><br />
<div class="ym-grid">
<div class="ym-g40 ym-gl">Semi-private ward </div>
<div class="ym-g40 ym-gl">at least 35%, max. CHF&nbsp;3000 per year </div>
</div>
<div class="ym-grid">
<div class="ym-g40 ym-gl">Private ward </div>
<div class="ym-g40 ym-gl">at least 50%, max. CHF&nbsp;9000 per year </div>
</div>
<br />
<strong><a href="/krankenkassen/anbieter/sansan-versicherung.aspx" shape="rect">Sansan</a> Hospital Flex 2</strong><br />
<div class="ym-grid">
<div class="ym-g40 ym-gl">Semi-private ward </div>
<div class="ym-g40 ym-gl">at least 20%, max. CHF&nbsp;2000 per year </div>
</div>
<div class="ym-grid">
<div class="ym-g40 ym-gl">Private ward </div>
<div class="ym-g40 ym-gl">at least 35%, max. CHF&nbsp;4000 per year </div>
</div>
<br />
<strong><a href="/krankenkassen/anbieter/visana-assurance.aspx" shape="rect">Visana</a> Hospital Flex option 2/4</strong><br />
<div class="ym-grid">
<div class="ym-g40 ym-gl">Semi-private ward </div>
<div class="ym-g50 ym-gl">max. CHF&nbsp;2000 per calendar year </div>
</div>
<div class="ym-grid">
<div class="ym-g40 ym-gl">Private ward </div>
<div class="ym-g50 ym-gl">max. CHF&nbsp;4000 per calendar year </div>
</div>
<br />
<strong><a href="/krankenkassen/anbieter/visana-assurance.aspx" shape="rect">Visana</a> Hospital Flex option 4/8</strong><br />
<div class="ym-grid">
<div class="ym-g40 ym-gl">Semi-private ward </div>
<div class="ym-g50 ym-gl">max. CHF&nbsp;4000 per calendar year </div>
</div>
<div class="ym-grid">
<div class="ym-g40 ym-gl">Private ward </div>
<div class="ym-g50 ym-gl">max. CHF&nbsp;8000 per calendar year </div>
</div>
<br />
<strong><a href="/krankenkassen/anbieter/vivacare-assurance.aspx" shape="rect">Vivacare</a> Hospital Flex option 2/4</strong><br />
<div class="ym-grid">
<div class="ym-g40 ym-gl">Semi-private ward </div>
<div class="ym-g50 ym-gl">max. CHF&nbsp;2000 per calendar year </div>
</div>
<div class="ym-grid">
<div class="ym-g40 ym-gl">Private ward </div>
<div class="ym-g50 ym-gl">max. CHF&nbsp;4000 per calendar year </div>
</div>
<br />
<strong><a href="/krankenkassen/anbieter/vivacare-assurance.aspx" shape="rect">Vivacare</a> Hospital Flex option 4/8</strong><br />
<div class="ym-grid">
<div class="ym-g40 ym-gl">Semi-private ward </div>
<div class="ym-g50 ym-gl">max. CHF&nbsp;4000 per calendar year </div>
</div>
<div class="ym-grid">
<div class="ym-g40 ym-gl">Private ward </div>
<div class="ym-g50 ym-gl">max. CHF&nbsp;8000 per calendar year </div>
</div>
<br />
<strong><a href="/krankenkassen/anbieter/sympany.aspx" shape="rect">Sympany</a> Flex</strong><br />
<div class="ym-grid">
<div class="ym-g40 ym-gl">Semi-private ward </div>
<div class="ym-g40 ym-gl">at least 15%, max. CHF&nbsp;1500 per year </div>
</div>
<div class="ym-grid">
<div class="ym-g40 ym-gl">Private ward </div>
<div class="ym-g40 ym-gl">at least 25%, max. CHF&nbsp;4500 per year </div>
</div>
<br />
<p>Updated on: 21/02/2014</p>
<p>Some insurers grant a discount to families if all members have a flex model insurance. They limit the maximum amount of coinsurance for all family members living in the same household to a specific amount. Please check directly with the insurance provider if such an option exists and what the maximum amount of coinsurance is.</p>

Flex model

flex-modelle

The annual deductible is the amount policyholders must pay out of pocket for health insurance benefits. Find out more about deductibles for adults and children.

<ul style="margin-left: 15px;">
    <li><a href="#was"><strong>What is the deductible ("franchise")?</strong></a></li>
    <li><a href="#wahl"><strong>What annual deductibles are available for adults and children?</strong></a></li>
    <li><a href="#beste"><strong>Which deductible is best?</strong></a></li>
    <li><a href="#anpassen"><strong>When and how can I change my deductible?</strong></a></li>
    <li><a href="#zusammenfassung"><strong>Summary</strong></a></li>
</ul>
<a id="was"></a>
<h2 class="subtitle-one">What is the deductible ("franchise")?</h2>
<p>The deductible (or excess) together with the coinsurance percentage form the <a href="/krankenkassen/info/glossar/kostenbeteiligung"><strong>out-of-pocket expenses</strong></a>&nbsp;policyholders must pay for the <strong><a href="/krankenkassen/info/glossar/leistungen-krankenpflegeversicherung">benefits</a></strong> covered by health insurance (e.g. treatment by a doctor or in hospital and the cost of medicine). Any healthcare costs incurred up to the amount of the deductible (2,500 francs maximum) must be paid by the policyholders themselves. A <strong><a href="/krankenkassen/info/glossar/selbstbehalt-grundversicherung">coinsurance</a></strong> percentage of 10% must be paid towards any costs incurred in excess of the deductible. The health insurer covers the remaining cost using the premiums it receives.</p>
<a id="wahl"></a>
<h2 class="subtitle-one">What annual deductibles are available for adults and children?</h2>
<p>Policyholders are free to choose their deductible each year. Increasing it gives them a discount on their premiums.</p>
<h3 class="subtitle-two">Deductible for adults</h3>
<table responsive="{true}">
    <thead>
        <tr>
            <th>Optional deductible for adults (from 18 years of age)</th>
            <th>Maximum discount on annual premium</th>
        </tr>
    </thead>
    <tbody>
        <tr>
            <th>CHF&nbsp;300</th>
            <td>No discount</td>
        </tr>
        <tr>
            <th>CHF&nbsp;500</th>
            <td>CHF&nbsp;140<br />
            </td>
        </tr>
        <tr>
            <th>CHF 1,000</th>
            <td>CHF&nbsp;490<br />
            </td>
        </tr>
        <tr>
            <th>CHF 1,500</th>
            <td>CHF&nbsp;840<br />
            </td>
        </tr>
        <tr>
            <th>CHF 2,000</th>
            <td>CHF 1,190<br />
            </td>
        </tr>
        <tr>
            <th>CHF 2,500</th>
            <td>CHF 1,540</td>
        </tr>
    </tbody>
</table>
<h3 class="subtitle-two">Deductible for children and babies</h3>
<table responsive="{true}">
    <thead>
        <tr>
            <th>Optional deductible for children (up to 18 years of age)</th>
            <th>Maximum discount on annual premium</th>
        </tr>
    </thead>
    <tbody>
        <tr>
            <th>CHF&nbsp;0</th>
            <td>No discount</td>
        </tr>
        <tr>
            <th>CHF&nbsp;100</th>
            <td>CHF&nbsp;70<br />
            </td>
        </tr>
        <tr>
            <th>CHF&nbsp;200</th>
            <td>CHF&nbsp;140<br />
            </td>
        </tr>
        <tr>
            <th>CHF&nbsp;300</th>
            <td>CHF&nbsp;210<br />
            </td>
        </tr>
        <tr>
            <th>CHF&nbsp;400</th>
            <td>CHF&nbsp;280<br />
            </td>
        </tr>
        <tr>
            <th>CHF&nbsp;500</th>
            <td>CHF&nbsp;350</td>
        </tr>
        <tr>
            <th>CHF&nbsp;600</th>
            <td>CHF&nbsp;420</td>
        </tr>
    </tbody>
</table>
<p>The health insurers themselves decide which deductibles to offer, so not all deductibles are offered by all <a href="https://en.comparis.ch/krankenkassen/umfrage/hitlist"><strong>health insurers</strong></a>.</p>
<p><a variant="primary" mb="3rem" href="/krankenkassen/grundversicherung/praemien/input" tracking="[{
'event': 'funnelAction',
'label': 'click - cta - jetzt krankenkassenpraemien vergleichen,
'application': 'health insurance',
'pageName': 'glossary telmed'
}]">Compare health insurance premiums now</a> <a id="beste"></a></p>
<h2 class="subtitle-one">Which deductible is best?</h2>
<p>You are free to choose the deductible yourself. Generally speaking, a deductible of 2,500 francs is suitable for people who never need medical treatment. People who regularly require medical treatment should consider the 300-franc deductible.</p>
<a id="anpassen"></a>
<h2 class="subtitle-one">When and how can I change my deductible?</h2>
<h3 class="subtitle-two">Reducing the deductible</h3>
<p>It is possible to switch to a lower deductible with effect from the beginning of the calendar year. Your health insurer must receive notice of the lower deductible in writing by the last working day in November.</p>
<h3 class="subtitle-two">Increasing the deductible</h3>
<p>You can request a higher deductible with effect from the beginning of the calendar year. Your health insurer must receive notice of the higher deductible in writing by the last working day in December.</p>
<a id="zusammenfassung"></a>
<h2 class="subtitle-one">Summary</h2>
<ul>
    <li>The deductible is a minimum of 300 francs for adults and 0&nbsp;francs for children.</li>
    <li>You only pay the deductible once per calendar year when you claim on the insurance.</li>
    <li>If you <strong></strong><strong><a href="/krankenkassen/info/glossar/kassenwechsel">switch health insurer</a></strong> in the middle of the year, your new insurer will take into account any deductible and coinsurance already paid.</li>
    <li><strong><a href="/krankenkassen/info/glossar/mutterschaft">Pregnant women</a></strong> do not have to pay any out-of-pocket expenses from the 13th week of pregnancy until eight weeks after the birth.</li>
    <li>It is possible to switch to a lower or higher deductible with effect from the beginning of the calendar year.</li>
    <li>Policyholders are free to choose a higher deductible in order to lower their premiums. This is only worth it for people with low healthcare costs.</li>
    <li><strong><a href="/krankenkassen/info/glossar/kostenbeteiligung">Example calculation of out-of-pocket expenses</a></strong></li>
    <li>Out-of-pocket expenses can be different in <strong><a href="/krankenkassen/info/glossar/kostenbeteiligung-spital-zusatzversicherung">supplemental insurance</a></strong>.</li>
</ul>
<p><a variant="primary" mb="3rem" href="/krankenkassen/grundversicherung/praemien/input" tracking="[{
'event': 'funnelAction',
'label': 'click - cta - jetzt krankenkassenpraemien vergleichen,
'application': 'health insurance',
'pageName': 'glossary telmed'
}]">Compare health insurance premiums now</a></p>

Deductible in health insurance – simply explained

franchise

Definition of deductible for supplemental insurance. All information on health insurance and the premium comparison in the glossary by comparis.ch

<p>Most health insurance providers offer their customers the possibility of choosing a deductible for supplemental insurance products and&nbsp;receiving a&nbsp;premium reduction in exchange.&nbsp;</p>

Deductible for supplemental insurance

franchise-zusatzversicherung

Definition of full freedom to choose one's insurer. All information about health insurance and the premium comparison in the glossary from comparis.ch

<p>Full freedom to choose one's insurer only exists in the area of basic health insurance. Every health insurance company must offer basic health insurance coverage to all applicants without <a href="/krankenkassen/info/glossar/vorbehalte-zusatzversicherung" shape="rect">reservations</a> even if the applicant is currently ill and receiving medical treatment. </p>

Full freedom to choose one's insurer

freizuegigkeit

Definition of guest insurance in Switzerland. All information about health insurance and the premium comparison in the glossary from comparis.ch

<p>Check travel insurance or other insurance solutions with worldwide or Europe-wide coverage in your country of residence (or in the country of residence of your guest). In addition, some insurers offer so-called guest insurance (e.g. Guest Care by Sanitas). Or ask your health insurance provider if they offer such coverage.</p>

Guest insurance - health insurance for foreigners

gaesteversicherung

Definition of gatekeeper in Switzerland. All information on health insurance and the premium insurance in the glossary on comparis.ch

<p>The term gatekeeper refers to the functional role of the physician. He is the first contact for his patients in the event of illness. </p>
<p>In the <a href="/krankenkassen/info/glossar/hausarzt-modell.aspx">family doctor</a> and <a href="/krankenkassen/info/glossar/hmo.aspx">HMO</a> models the gatekeeper plays a central role. He is the doctor whom a policyholder must first consult. If medically necessary, he will refer the patient to a specialist.</p>

Gatekeeper

gatekeeper

Definition of list of generic products in Switzerland and information on reimbursement of medicines by health insurance.

<p><b>Generic drugs</b></p>
<p>With pharmaceutical products, a distinction is made between original preparations and generic drugs. Generic products are imitations of medicines whose patent protection has expired. Since their development costs are low, generics are cheaper than the corresponding originals. However, there is not always a generic to every medicinal product.</p>
<p>If a policyholder buys an original preparation without a medical reason even though a generic would have been available, he/she has to pay a retention of 20&nbsp;percent. If the price difference between the original and the generic product is less than 20&nbsp;percent, the retention stays at 10&nbsp;percent.</p>

<p><b>Medicines</b></p>
<p>Medicines are pharmaceutical products that serve to heal, prevent or diagnose an illness at a certain dosage. Medicines may be made from plants or animals or be of synthetic origin.</p>
<p>They have to be approved by the Swiss Agency for Therapeutic Products, Swissmedic, in order to be sold in Switzerland.</p>
<br />
<b>Reimbursement by health insurance</b>
<p>Pursuant to the Health Insurance Act (<a href="/krankenkassen/info/glossar/krankenversicherungsgesetz-kvg.aspx" target="_blank">KVG</a>), medicines need to be demonstrably efficient, useful and cost-effective in order for them to be reimbursed by basic insurance minus a <a href="/krankenkassen/info/glossar/kostenbeteiligung.aspx" target="_blank">contribution to costs</a>. These pharmaceutical products are on the <a href="/krankenkassen/info/glossar/spezialitaetenliste.aspx" target="_blank">Specialties List</a> issued by the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH). </p>
<p>There is no difference between conventional and complementary medicines in terms of reimbursement by basic insurance. Drugs used in <a href="/krankenkassen/info/glossar/komplementaermedizin.aspx">complementary medicine</a> are likewise covered by basic insurance minus a contribution to costs if they are on the Specialties List. </p>
<p>Various types of outpatient <a href="/krankenkassen/info/glossar/zusatzversicherung.aspx" target="_blank">supplemental coverage</a> pay for products that are not or only partially covered by basic health insurance.</p>
<p>There are medicines that are not reimbursed by either basic or supplemental insurance. These are pharmaceutical products from the List of Pharmaceutical Products for Special Purposes (<a href="/krankenkassen/info/glossar/liste-pharmazeutische-praeparate.aspx" target="_blank">LPPV</a>).</p>


Generic drugs and medicines in Switzerland

generika

Definition of the list of generic products. All information on health insurance and the premium comparison in the glossary by comparis.ch

<p>The pharmaceuticals on the list of generic products are covered by <a href="/krankenkassen/info/glossar/grundversicherung" shape="rect">basic health insurance</a> after deduction of <a href="/krankenkassen/info/glossar/kostenbeteiligung" shape="rect">out-of-pocket expenses</a>.</p>

Pharmaceuticals on the list of generic products

generikaliste

May health insurers ask about your state of health?

<p><b>When applying for health insurance, you will not be asked to fill in a health questionnaire. All providers are obligated to accept every applicant for basic health insurance without reservations.</b> </p>
<p><strong>In the case of applications for supplemental insurance, health insurance providers are allowed to ask questions about your state of health.</strong> </p>
<p>Health insurance providers may place a temporary or permanent qualification on supplemental insurance if they consider an applicant's state of health to be an unfavourable risk. This means that the policyholder will not receive benefits for treatment of an illness addressed in the qualification. Insurers may also reject applications without giving a reason. </p>
<p>In the context of supplemental insurance, health insurance providers have the right to make retroactive qualifications if it is later determined that false or incomplete information was provided on the application form. </p>

Choice of doctor

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