Unified health insurance in Switzerland: the arguments
Unified health insurance is often debated in Switzerland. Comparis presents the arguments for and against and suggests a test.
25.04.2024
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1. What is a unified health insurance fund?
Under a system of unified health insurance, there is only one health insurer. In a country with a unified health insurance fund, no-one has a choice as to where they want to be insured.
This system exists, for example, in Slovenia.
What is the difference between unified health insurance and state healthcare?
Healthcare systems in Europe differ mainly in terms of funding and the funding agencies themselves.
| Funding | Funding agencies | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Taxes | Health service (national, regional or municipal) | UK, Spain, Sweden |
| Premiums | Unified health insurance | Estonia, Slovenia, Poland |
| Various health insurers without free choice | France, Austria | |
| Various health insurers with free choice | Switzerland, Germany, Netherlands |
Source (available in German only): WIP
2. Why is unified health insurance a recurring topic in Switzerland?
In Switzerland, the topic of unified basic insurance is regularly debated. Supporters of a unified health insurance fund believe the system would result in cheaper health insurance premiums. When premiums rise more strongly, there’s more discussion about ways to save money in the healthcare system.
In recent years, health insurance premiums in Switzerland have risen sharply. Calls for unified health insurance have grown louder. This is not the first time the topic has been raised: the Swiss have already voted on unified health insurance four times and rejected it.
The majority is in favour of unified health insurance
According to a representative Comparis survey (only available in German) in April 2024, a majority of Swiss people (71%) are currently in favour of unified health insurance.
3. What are the arguments for a unified health insurance fund?
Cheaper health insurance premiums are the main argument of proponents of unified health insurance.
The common assumption is that with only one health insurer and no ways to switch, expenditure on advertising and administration, for example, would decrease.
Premiums could become 40 francs cheaper
According to the Comparis survey, the majority of unified health insurance supporters believe premiums would fall by at least 40 francs per month. So, unified health insurance would be worthwhile from their point of view.
This would mean an average reduction in premiums and costs of around 10%.
Why are health insurance premiums rising?
The cost drivers in the Swiss healthcare system are above all the increased consumption of healthcare services, the rising cost of bureaucracy owing to misguided government incentives with respect to financing, and medical progress itself.
Administrative costs account for only about 5% of basic insurance premiums.
4. What are the arguments against unified health insurance?
With a single health insurer, competition between the various providers is eliminated. This reduces the incentive to offer low premiums and good service.
What’s more: unified health insurance doesn’t solve the problem of rising treatment costs. That is because a unified health insurance fund alone does not lead to stronger government control of health services.
“It’s tempting to blame the bosses of hospitals, health insurers or the pharmaceutical industry for the rising costs and premiums, as well as demand that more and better medicine should cost less.”
Felix Schneuwly, Comparis health insurance expert
5. What opinion does Comparis have?
The introduction of unified health insurance would be uncharted territory for Switzerland. After all: even in the case of accident insurance, there are over 20 providers – and not just Suva.
That’s why Comparis proposes testing the “unified health insurance” project in a test canton before the next vote. As a result, the population would know the pros and cons of the health insurance competition compared to a unified fund before the next unified health insurance referendum.
79% of respondents support this suggestion.
Finding the right health insurance
Dissatisfied with the service provided by your health insurer? With the Comparis health insurance comparison tool, you can find the right insurance for your needs.
This article was first published on 25.04.2024
