Changing health insurance: deadlines and procedure

When do I have to change my health insurance by? What notice periods apply to basic and supplemental insurance? Here are the instructions on how to change your health insurance.

Lara Surber Foto
Lara Surber

10.08.2023

A man signing a cancellation letter in order to switch health insurance.

iStock/AndreyPopov

1.When do I have to change my health insurance by?
2.Cancelling your health insurance correctly: how can I abide by the cancellation period?
3.How can I cancel and switch my health insurance company?
4.FAQ: changing health insurance in Switzerland

1. When do I have to change my health insurance by?

Cancellation periods apply when changing health insurance companies. These periods may differ for basic and supplemental insurance.

When can I change basic insurance?

You can change your basic insurance every year. Make sure you abide by the cancellation periods, or you won’t be able to change. 

These are the possible dates:

  • 30 November

  • 31 March under certain conditions. 

Changing basic insurance mid-year is possible if:

If this is true for you, you can change your basic insurance from 1 July. Your health insurer must receive the cancellation letter by 31 March at the latest. We suggest setting up a cancellation reminder if you want to switch health insurance.

In rare cases, health insurance companies adjust premiums during the year. This is done at the request of the FOPH. In this case, you have a special right of cancellation: you are able to change your health insurance company even if you aren’t insured with the standard model.

When can I change supplemental insurance?

The cancellation deadline for supplemental insurance can vary from insurer to insurer. Health insurers often have a cancellation deadline of three months before the year’s end. This means you must cancel your supplemental insurance no later than 30 September

2. Cancelling your health insurance correctly: how can I abide by the cancellation period?

The date of cancellation is the day that the health insurance company receives your cancellation letter. The stamped date on the letter is irrelevant

Send your cancellation as a registered letter. This gives you legally binding proof of delivery. You can also take the cancellation letter to your insurer in person. Make sure you get confirmation that you handed the letter in.

What if the cancellation date is at the weekend?

In some years, 30 November falls on a weekend. In this case, your letter of cancellation must arrive by the last working day before 30 November.

3. How can I cancel and switch my health insurance company?

Comparis provides you with cancellation letter templates and a four-step guide on how to cancel health insurance.

Switching basic insurance in four steps

  1. Compare different health insurance companies, premiums, models and deductibles.

  2. Request one or more quotes through our brokerage partner Optimatis – free of charge and non-binding.

  3. Choose the best deal for you and take out your new basic insurance policy.

  4. Cancel your existing basic insurance within the deadline by registered post. Your new basic insurance policy will take effect as of 1 January or 1 July.

Calculate and compare basic insurance now

Switching supplemental insurance in four steps

  1. Compare different health insurance companies and their benefits.

  2. Request one or more quotes through our brokerage partner Optimatis – free of charge and non-binding.

  3. Check your health insurance company’s cancellation date (usually 30 September). Submit your insurance application and complete the health questionnaire for your chosen health insurance company.

  4. The new health insurance company will send you confirmation. Only cancel your old supplemental insurance once you’ve received this confirmation. Send the cancellation letter by registered mail.

4. FAQ: changing health insurance in Switzerland

Yes, you can change your supplemental and basic insurance independently from each other.

Yes, you can. However, the switch to the new health insurance company is only valid when they inform the new health insurance company of your acceptance. If this isn’t done by the end of the year, you’ll remain insured with your current health insurer until notification.

No. You cannot change your health insurance while you have outstanding premiums, out-of-pocket expenses, default interest or ongoing debt collection.

Basic insurance is compulsory in Switzerland and you can change it regardless of your health or age. Health insurance providers are obliged to accept you – even if you have ongoing treatment.

Supplemental insurance has different rules. You often have to answer health questions to be accepted for this. The health insurance company is not obliged to accept you. Only cancel your existing supplemental insurance once you’ve received confirmation that you’ve been accepted for your new insurance.

Do you want to cancel your basic insurance but keep your supplemental insurance with your current insurer? If so, you must communicate this clearly. The best way is to add a note to your cancellation letter stating, “this cancellation only applies to my basic insurance policy. My supplemental insurance will remain with your company.”

The health insurer must notify you of their new premiums by 31 October at the latest. If they fail to do this, the cancellation deadline is extended. They must mention your right to cancel in the letter.

Basic insurance benefits are prescribed by law and are the same for all health insurance companies. A change in premiums does not mean a change in cover for illness, accident and maternity. The service quality can vary from one insurer to another, however.

The Health Insurance Act has two systems: tiers garant and tiers payant. With the cheapest health insurance companies, tiers garant is the most common option for outpatient services. This means that you have to pay the doctor’s or medication bills yourself first. After that, you claim the money back from the insurance minus the out-of-pocket expenses. 

With tiers payant, the service provider sends the invoice directly to the health insurance company. Hospitals always bill their invoices this way, regardless of tier. The health insurance company pays the full amount. They will then send you a statement of all payments. The insurer invoices the out-of-pocket expenses (deductible and coinsurance) as well as any uninsured services.

You should take these differences into account when choosing basic insurance. With the “tiers garant” system, you must have enough money in advance to pay for any services before the health insurance company pays out.

There are several ways to save health insurance premiums. For example, you can reduce your premiums by changing your deductible or insurance model.

  • If you’re expecting high healthcare costs, it makes sense to choose a low deductible. Will your healthcare costs not exceed 2,000 francs in a year? Then the highest deductible of 2,500 francs is worthwhile.

  • Health insurance companies offer premium discounts for other insurance models. Check the costs of the various models in the premiums calculator.

This article was first published on 25.10.2022

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