The rising cost of the obligatory health insurance (KVG/LaMal) is determined by several factors, including increased healthcare costs, driven by factors like a longer life expectancy, the high price of medical advancements and drugs, and a rise in per-capita demand for services.
Also, the cost of administrating the mandatory health insurance scheme – including employee salaries, advertising costs, and other business expenses - is increasing each year.
According to Moneyland consumer platform, on average, 190 francs of the money each policyholder paid towards mandatory health insurance in 2024 went to cover running expenses.
Why is this fact important?
Even though the percentage spent on administrative fees is relatively small, insurers with higher costs will have a larger portion of their premiums allocated to overhead.
This can contribute to higher premiums compared to providers that are more efficient in terms of administration costs..
“Many residents blame the price hikes for mandatory health insurance on administrative costs generated by health insurance providers,” Moneyland noted.
This is a pertinent point, given that health insurance carriers must inform their clients of the new 2026 rates by the end of October, and policyholders who want to switch to a cheaper plan need to do so by November 30th at the latest.
To bring transparency to this process, another consumer platform, Comparis, examined the relationship between administrative costs and premiums and came up with companies that charge highest and lowest amounts for both.
It published its findings, based on 2024 numbers, on October 16th, 2025.
Winners and losers
Krankenkasse Luzerner Hinterland was the most efficient health insurance fund in 2024, Comparis found.
“It reduced its administrative costs by 31.55 francs compared to the previous year, and spent only 2.4 percent on administrative costs per insured person.”
A policyholder paid, on average, 3728.90 francs a year in basic insurance premiums.
Sumiswalder Krankenkasse (103.50 francs) and Sodalis Gesundheitsgruppe (128.80 francs) were in the second and third place, respectively.
On the other end of the spectrum, the Krankenkasse Birchmeier, incurred the highest administrative costs: it spent 513.95 francs per insured person on administration - 11.90 more than the previous year.
Its average annual premium added up tp nearly 4,351 francs.
Among the 25 percent of health insurance funds with the highest administrative costs in 2024 were also various small and medium-sized insurers such as Sanitas Grundversicherungen AG, Vivao Sympany SA, Assura-Basis SA, and Atupri Health Insurance SA.
Lowest and highest premiums
Visperterminen health insurance company had the lowest average premiums - 3178,25 francs a yer on average. Comparis found.
Next was Sanavals Gesundheitskasse (3320.25 francs), followed by the Einsiedler Krankenkasse. (3361.75).
However, people insured with a Visana’s subsidary, vivacare AG, paid the highest annual premiums: 5,025,30 francs,
Also, in terms of efficiency vivacare AG, ranked 31st out of 39 health insurance companies surveyed, with administrative costs of 223.65 francs per person.
Those insured with Mutuel Assurance Maladie SA paid a 4,927.95-franc premium. With administrative costs of 203.80 francs, the company also ranks among the 25 percent least efficient.
The third most expensive insurance company in 2024 was Easy Sana Assurance Maladie SA, with an average premium of 4,893.55 francs and administrative costs of 176.10 francs.
Is this information useful to you for 2026 premiums?
It is, because companies that are known for lower / higher administrative rates usually maintain their pricing policy long-term.
Though their premiums will increase by 4.4 percent in 2026 (and even more in some cantons), overall they are likely to be more or less competitive.
If you want to switch but have not yet started to look for cheaper options, now is the time to do this.
However, it is very important to use only the most reliable sources for your search.
In Switzerland these three are trustworthy:
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