Cancelling and switching health insurance: deadlines and process

As a rule, you have to cancel your health insurance in writing. It’s best to send a registered letter. This way, you have proof that the cancellation letter has been received. The best way to do this is to use a cancellation template for your health insurance.

Some health insurers also accept cancellations by email or via their online portal. You will often have to scan or photograph the signed cancellation form. Check in good time whether you can cancel your health insurance online. If you cancel by email, always ask for written confirmation from the health insurer.

You can switch basic health insurance no more than twice a year. Everyone can switch with effect from 1 January. Changing with effect from 1 July is only possible for those insured under the standard model with the lowest deductible.

However, all policyholders in the standard model can change the health insurance model at the beginning of the next month – regardless of the deductible.

Yes, you can cancel and change your supplemental and basic insurance independently from each other. When cancelling, indicate which insurance you wish to cancel.

Good to know: the health insurer is not allowed to terminate your supplemental insurance if you cancel your basic insurance (Art. 7 para. 7 HIA).

Yes, you can. However, the new health insurer must inform your old health insurer of your admission. Only then will the policy switch be valid.

If this isn’t done by the end of the year, you’ll remain insured with your current health insurer until they receive this information.

No. You can’t change your health insurance until you have paid all outstanding payments in full (Art. 64a para. 6 HIA). The costs include:

• Premiums

• Out-of-pocket expenses

• Default interest

• Debt enforcement costs

This applies to debts with an outstanding reminder on 30 November (Art. 105l HIO).

It is compulsory to take out basic health insurance in Switzerland. You can change health insurance regardless of your state of health or age. Health insurers are obliged to accept you – even if you are undergoing treatment.

There are different rules for supplemental insurance. You often have to answer health questions to be accepted for these policies. The health insurer is not obligated to accept you. Only cancel your existing supplemental insurance once you’ve received confirmation that you’ve been accepted for your new insurance policy.

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 that states: “This cancellation only applies to my basic insurance policy. My supplemental insurance will remain with your company.”

Good to know: the current health insurer may not cancel the supplemental insurance policy if you change your basic insurance (Art. 7 para. 7 HIA).

With some health insurers, you can cancel by email. However, your health insurer is not obligated to accept cancellations it receives by email. Check in good time whether your health insurer accepts cancellations by email.

To cancel by email, you usually need to scan the signed cancellation form. Cancellation is usually not possible without a signature. If you cancel by email, always ask for written confirmation from the health insurer.

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. This is because, after receiving notice of the new premium, you have a cancellation period of one month (Art. 7 para. 2 HIA). They must inform you of your right to cancel in the letter.