Hay fever treatment: costs covered by health insurance

1. Why do I have hay fever?

Hay fever occurs when the body overreacts to pollen. The immune system essentially goes crazy. It forms antibodies against certain proteins in trees and grass. If a person comes into contact with these, histamine is released. 

This expands the blood vessels, causing the conjunctiva and the nasal mucous membranes to swell. The airways, on the other hand, get narrower. It also causes inflammation. Put simply, histamine is the main cause of the unpleasant symptoms.

A pollen allergy is usually no danger to your health in the short term. However, it’s important to talk to your doctor about it. If left untreated, symptoms may develop into chronic asthma.

2. What helps against hay fever?

There is a wide range of treatment options. The following medications and therapies can help relieve your symptoms:

• Eye drops

• Nasal spray

• Tablets

• Drops

• Cortisone sprays

• Antihistamines

• Desensitization

Over-the-counter remedies for hay fever

Before resorting to prescription medicine, you can try over-the-counter medications. Over-the-counter sprays and drops may be effective against mild and moderate hay fever.

Prescription medication for hay fever

Cortisone nasal sprays and some anti-histamines are only available on prescription. If symptoms are severe and long-lasting, it’s worth visiting a doctor and getting a prescription if necessary.

3. Costs: does health insurance cover hay fever treatment?

Basic insurance covers medical treatment for hay fever. It covers the costs of products that your doctor prescribes to you, not including the deductible and coinsurance. However, the medication must be listed in the official speciality list of the Federal Office of Public Health.

Without the corresponding supplemental insurance, you will have to pay for any medication that you buy without a prescription . Talk to your doctor if you are unsure whether basic insurance covers your medication.

Using desensitization to fight the underlying cause

Those with severe symptoms can try what is known as desensitization. This differs from other treatments in that it directly targets the causes of the pollen allergy. 

It works by administering you with the corresponding type of pollen. This is done via injection, tablets or drops. Treatment is carried out under medical supervision and usually lasts several years.

If your doctor prescribes the treatment, basic insurance covers it.

Alternative hay fever treatments

Alongside conventional treatments, alternative medicine can also alleviate hay fever symptoms. 

Basic insurance covers the following five treatments:

• Acupuncture

• Anthroposophic medicine

• Traditional Chinese Medicine

• Homeopathy

• Phytotherapy

Requirements for taking over costs

Basic insurance sets requirements for taking over costs. As an example, doctors trained in conventional medicine with appropriate further training must carry out the treatment. 

Supplemental insurance differs in that health insurance companies can determine which criteria therapists must meet.

4. Is it worth buying generic drugs?

Depending on the severity and duration of symptoms, pollen allergy sufferers can quickly spend several hundred francs on medication each year. You can save a lot of money by asking your doctor or pharmacist about generic drugs.

Generic drugs are identical to the original drugs in terms of ingredients, dosage and dosage form, but have different names. They become available on the market when the original drug’s patent expires. They usually cost significantly less than the original drug. They can be particularly useful if you need to take medication for several months.