The health insurance system in Switzerland briefly explained
The health insurance system in Switzerland consists of two parts. The mandatory basic insurance ensures coverage for basic healthcare. Additional services can be supplemented and covered by voluntary supplementary insurance. We explain the basics of health insurance in Switzerland and how to find the best insurance for you.
Basic Insurance
The mandatory health care insurance (OKP) is a statutory health insurance that is compulsory for all persons residing in Switzerland. The OKP covers basic medical care; the services are legally defined and are therefore the same for all health insurance providers. This means that certain services such as doctor’s visits, hospital admissions, medications, and treatments are covered by the health insurance.
Differences exist in the choice of deductible and the insurance model. While the deductible regulates the cost sharing by the policyholder, the insurance model defines the process by which a medical service must be utilized.
The insurance benefits are therefore the same for all mandatory health insurances. However, there are significant price differences depending on the choice of deductible, insurance model, and health insurance provider.
Supplementary Insurance
All services that go beyond the legally defined basic care can be covered by a voluntary supplementary health insurance (VVG). The benefits of supplementary insurances vary greatly from one health insurance provider to another. Prices can also differ significantly. It is important to carefully consider in advance which services you truly need to determine the optimal cost-benefit ratio for yourself.
Some examples of possible services that can be covered by supplementary insurance include dental insurance, out-of-canton hospital stays, contributions to fitness center subscriptions, hospital stays with private services, health insurance-covered medications, and special treatment methods.
It is also important to note that there are ongoing legal adjustments regarding which services are covered by basic insurance. For example, as of July 1, 2022, it was decided that the service categories for psychological psychotherapists and podiatrists must be covered by the mandatory basic insurance.
You should not delay taking out supplementary insurance. If a health problem arises before you have taken out insurance, health insurance providers can reject you as a policyholder or exclude certain services related to your medical problem from the insurance benefits.
How do I find the right health insurance?
Choosing the cheapest basic insurance is usually easy, as you can use a comparison portal like insurando.ch for this purpose. The choice of the optimal supplementary insurance, however, is much more complex. Here, the optimal cost-benefit ratio must be determined individually for each insured person.
Our consultants have years of experience in finding the optimal supplementary health insurance for you. We can help you with your decision by providing an overview of the various services and costs. Contact us for a consultation and let us find the best supplementary health insurance for you together.
VAG simply 