Switzerland has a universal health care system, meaning that each resident has access to health care. However, please remember that 'universal' does not mean 'free'.
However, the way in which it is structured is relatively unique and is likely to have some significant differences with health care systems from your home countries or that you have experience with.
Switzerland's universal health care system is unlike that of other countries in several ways, primarily as it operates under a compulsory obligation to buy health insurance rather than being government funded (through taxation).
While there may be differences in payments - particularly for low-income earners - from canton to canton, Swiss health care coverage is mandated to be the same across the country.
Here's what you need to know.
What is compulsory health insurance in Switzerland - and who needs it?
If you move to Switzerland, the vast majority of people will need to take out basic health insurance within three months of arriving in the country or being born.
This is a legal requirement, which is why health insurance is considered "compulsory".
You will most likely need to show evidence of your health insurance when you apply for your residency permit.
There is no 'free' public health care in Switzerland and you will have to pay your compulsory premiums out of your own pocket.
The only people who are exempt are cross-border workers, retirees with pensions from European Union or EFTA states, students living temporary in Switzerland with their own equivalent health insurance and certain international officials and diplomats.
What does this compulsory health insurance cover?
Basic health insurance (KVG/LaMal) in Switzerland is very comprehensive and includes coverage for illness, maternity and accidents – although with accidents, basic insurance only kicks in when people do not have accident insurance through their workplace.
You are also covered for emergency treatment overseas, although conditions apply.
Please read the following link for more information as to what you are covered for overseas.
READ MORE: What you should know about your Swiss health insurance before you go abroad
Can I choose my which health insurance provider I want?
Yes.
You can choose from your own provider from an authorised list. The lists are only available in German, French and Italian.
There are around 60 companies to select from. These insurers are legally obliged to take on any people seeking compulsory health insurance cover.
How much does compulsory basic health insurance cost?
Costs depend on where you live, which insurance provider you select and what options you go for.
Children under 18 pay less than adults. People aged under 25 also enjoy cheaper premiums.
Another important factor when it comes to your monthly premium is your excess or ‘deductible’.
The deductible (which people under 18 do not have to pay) refers to how much you will have to pay before your health insurance starts chipping in for costs of your treatment.
The minimum deductible in Switzerland is 300 Swiss francs (around €260). The maximum amount is 2,500 francs. The higher your deductible (in other words, the more you pay out of your own pocket) the lower your monthly premium is.
The Swiss government has an online calculator which can help give you an idea of how much you can expect to pay.
I am currently unemployed and/or I earn very little. What options do I have for health insurance in Switzerland?
Being unemployed or earning little money does not remove you from the obligation to pay your health insurance premiums - however, you may be eligible for a reduction in your premiums.
In effect, this involves the government paying part or all of your insurance premiums.
Of course, because it's Switzerland, this will differ depending on where you live.
Some cantons will pay part of your health insurance automatically when your tax return drops below a certain amount, while in other cantons you will have to apply yourself.
Are there any other costs?
Yes. Apart from the monthly premiums and the deductible, you may also have to pay a retention fee (Selbstbehalt/quote-part/aliquota percentuale) and a contribution to the cost of hospital stays.
The retention fee means you still have to pay 10 percent of medical costs over and above your deductible but this amount is capped at 700 francs for adults and 350 francs for children.
To give you an example, let’s say you have medical costs of 1,500 francs in a given year. If your deductible is 1,000 francs, you will pay 1,000 francs plus ten percent of the remaining 500 francs, so you will pay 1,050 francs and your insurer will pay 450 francs.
If you require a hospital stay, you will also have to pay an extra 15 francs a day, although children, young adults in training and education and women with full maternity cover do not have to pay this amount.
How can I save money on compulsory health insurance?
There are a number of 'low-cost' options for basic insurance, including the HMO, telmed and bonus insurance programs.
With the HMO (Health Maintenance Organisation) model, you are not free to choose your doctor or hospital. Instead, your first point of contact will be with a doctor from an HMO, or group practice, who will coordinate your treatment. In exchange, you get a cheaper premium.
You can also take out a Telmed policy, where (in most cases) you receive medical advice in a first consultation over the phone before a referral to a doctor or hospital.
What about private supplementary insurance?
Beyond the basic compulsory insurance that everyone has to have in Switzerland, you can also take out a complementary policy.
This insurance covers items like orthodontic treatment for children, a free choice of doctor or hospital anywhere in Switzerland, alternative medicine options or partial refunds on health-promoting activities such as gym memberships.
Note that you do not have to take out your supplementary insurance with your basic health insurance provider, so it pays to shop around.
However, in contrast to basic health insurance, insurer providers are not required to take you on as a customer for supplementary insurance and may reject your application if you have a pre-existing condition.
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