Cost of calling an ambulance – who pays what and when?
In an emergency an ambulance will come out to you – but this incurs costs. If you do not have supplementary insurance, you may have to pay a substantial amount of these costs yourself.
09.03.2023
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1. How much does an ambulance call-out cost?
As a rule, you have to pay between 700 and 2,100 francs.
The cost varies from canton to canton. For example, if someone has a heart attack in the canton of St. Gallen, the cost for emergency services is greater than in the canton of Aargau.
2. Who covers ambulance call-outs?
First of all, it has to be established whether the emergency transportation is required because of an accident or an illness. In this overview you can see which insurance pays in which case.
Cost coverage via accident insurance
Are you covered by your employer or private accident insurance in the event of an accident? In the event of an accident, the accident insurance will apply in accordance with the Accident Insurance Act (UVG). This means that the accident insurance covers the ambulance service in the event of an accident.
Cost coverage via basic insurance
This is different from an emergency service due to illness – or if you are only insured against accidents via through basic insurance: in this case, your compulsory health insurance applies. It covers 50% of the costs– after subtracting the deductible and coinsurance.
In addition, a maximum amount applies: in the case of medically assisted patient transportation, the health insurance company covers up to 500 francs per year. This also applies to emergency transportation abroad.
Rescue for life-threatening situations
If a rescue for a life-threatening situation is necessary, basic insurance will cover a maximum of 5,000 francs per year. Basic health insurance does not cover rescues abroad abroad.
3. When do I need supplemental insurance?
In case of an illness, or if you are insured against accidents via your basic insurance, the compulsory health insurer only pays under the above-mentioned conditions.
This is where supplementary health insurance comes in. Depending on the amount insured and the conditions of insurance, it will cover transportation and rescue costs that the basic insurance or accident insurance will not take into account.
Compare ambulance insurances
Ambulance insurance including emergency transport, usually costs between 11 and 50 francs. Simply select the Search and rescue operations and transportation option in the Comparis insurance comparison tool.
4. When does the insurance company not cover ambulance costs?
Your health insurer or accident insurance only covers medically necessary costs. If the patient could have travelled by private car or by public transport, the insurance company will usually not cover any costs.
5. Which insurance covers ambulance services abroad?
In case of accidents abroad, the employer's accident insurance covers a maximum of 29,640 francs.
Basic health insurance policies will cover a proportion of emergency transportation costs abroad in case of an illness. This also applies to accidents if you have accident insurance via your basic insurance.
However, the situation is not the same for rescue costs: basic insurance policies do not cover rescue costs abroad.
Supplemental insurance covers gaps in basic insurance
When travelling abroad, it particularly makes sense to take out a supplemental insurance. Costs of transportation and rescue abroad can quickly add up to thousands (if not tens of thousands) of francs.
Rega is not an insurance provider. However, according to the conditions of Rega patronage, Rega may cover uninsured transportation or rescue costs.
Insurance companies only pay for a taxi ride in exceptional cases. Moreover, you must be transported by a vehicle that corresponds to your medical needs. You should clarify the details with your health insurance company or accident insurance in advance.
If a patient needs to be transported from one hospital to another for treatment and due to medical necessity, the full costs are covered by basic health insurance. In this case, the transfer is considered part of inpatient treatment.
Costs are incurred when an ambulance is called out. As a rule, the patient (or their insurance company) must cover these costs. Generally, the person who called the ambulance is not required to pay any costs. The exception is if the call was fraudulent.
