Health Insurance

The mandatory basic insurance under the KVG offers exactly the same benefits at every health insurer – this is required by law. However, premiums differ massively: between the cheapest and most expensive insurer, the difference is often CHF 100 or more per month.

The only reason to stay with an expensive insurer is convenience. A switch is possible annually as of 30 November (for the following year) and is completely straightforward. The new insurer handles all the formalities.

Important: basic insurance cannot be refused, provided all premiums have been paid. Every insurer must accept you, regardless of age or state of health. So you can switch to the cheapest insurer without hesitation.

In addition to the standard model (free choice of doctor), there are more cost-effective alternatives: the family doctor model requires you to consult your family doctor first for health issues. HMO models tie you to a health centre. Telmed models require an initial phone contact.

The premium savings are 10-25% depending on the model. Whether an alternative model suits you depends on your habits: do you always go to your family doctor first anyway? Then you'll save with the family doctor model without feeling any restrictions.

Important: in the event of accidents and emergencies, there are no restrictions – you can always go directly to the hospital or a specialist.

The deductible (franchise) ranges from CHF 300 to CHF 2'500 for adults. A higher deductible means lower premiums but higher costs in the event of illness.

Rule of thumb: if you rarely go to the doctor and don't need regular medication, the highest deductible (CHF 2'500) is worthwhile. The premium savings are greater than the maximum additional costs in the event of illness.

For regular doctor visits or chronic conditions, a low deductible (CHF 300-500) is often cheaper. We calculate which deductible is optimal for your health profile.

Supplementary insurance under the VVG is voluntary and subject to different rules: insurers can reject applications or impose reservations. Switching is therefore not as easy as with basic insurance.

Useful supplementary insurance can include: dental insurance (especially for children/teens before orthodontic treatment), semi-private/private hospital insurance (free choice of doctor and hospital, single room), travel insurance (worldwide coverage beyond Europe), and alternative medicine (acupuncture, homeopathy, etc.).

Depending on the supplementary insurance, various additional benefits are included in the package. Important to know: the supplementary packages are not identical across insurers – they differ both in price and in the benefits included. A careful comparison is therefore particularly worthwhile. We check each of your supplementary policies for cost-effectiveness and find the optimal package for your needs.

Hospital insurance can be the most expensive supplementary insurance – but also one of the most important decisions. It determines which ward you're treated in at the hospital.

General (basic insurance): shared room, treatment by the doctor on duty, only in your canton of residence. Semi-private: two-bed room, free choice of doctor, nationwide coverage, often treatment by a senior physician. Private: single room, senior physician, nationwide, luxury amenities.

The premium differences are significant: CHF 100-300 monthly between general and semi-private, another CHF 100-200 for private. Whether it's worth it is a personal decision. Important: with pre-existing conditions, applications are often rejected or subject to reservations. Take out coverage early if you're interested.