Skip to main content
Choosing the right basic insurance
Compulsory health insurance has been in place for all Swiss residents since 1996. This is regulated in the Health Insurance Act. Basic insurance provides cover in the event of illness or accident. You are free to choose your own health insurance company: By law, every health insurance company must accept every applicant.
The health insurance market in Switzerland is very diverse. We have over 50 health insurance companies. Not every insurer offers all models of basic insurance. The amount of the monthly premiums varies greatly depending on the health insurer, the model chosen and the deductible. It is therefore important to compare offers from health insurance companies.
This is the only way to find the right insurance cover at the best price. Our health insurance comparison will help you: We ask the right questions. We understand the entire market and find the best insurance for you and your family.
The premium for basic insurance
This is why there are no uniform premiums. The Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) divides the health insurance companies into so-called premium regions. Insurance companies are obliged to cover the medical costs incurred in these regions. This ultimately leads to price differences in the various regions. The applicable territorial principle therefore also has an impact on the level of premiums.
In addition to the canton of residence, other factors can influence the premium amount. These include the selected model, provider/health insurance company and the deductible.
Free choice of health insurance company in the canton of residence: All Swiss citizens are free to choose their health insurance company. Only one condition must be met - that the health insurance company is of course active in your own canton of residence.
A major disadvantage of basic insurance was that it only covered benefits that were only provided in the canton of residence. However, this rule has been relaxed. Since 2012, treatment and hospital costs in hospitals outside of the place of residence have also been reimbursed. The only basic requirement is that the hospital must be on the hospital list and may not cost more than the canton of residence.
The deductible for basic insurance
Together with the deductible, the deductible is your share of the costs incurred for medical services. You must pay all costs incurred up to the selected deductible amount within the calendar year yourself.
You must first reach your deductible. If further costs arise, you will contribute a deductible of 10%. The rest will be covered by your health insurance.
This annual deductible exists:
You can adjust the deductible annually. The following applies here: the higher the deductible, the lower the premium.
Franchise for adults (+18) | Discount on the annual premium |
CHF 300.- | No discount |
CHF 500.- | CHF 140.- |
CHF 1'000.- | CHF 490.- |
CHF 1'500.- | CHF 840.- |
CHF 2'000,- | CHF 1'190.- |
CHF 2'500.- | CHF 1'540.- |
Deductible for children (0-18) | Discount on the annual premium |
CHF 0.- | No discount |
CHF 100.- | CHF 70.- |
CHF 200.- | CHF 140.- |
CHF 300.- | CHF 210.- |
CHF 400,- | CHF 280.- |
CHF 500.- | CHF 350.- |
CHF 600.- | CHF 420.- |
The deductible after the deductible
The deductible is a certain amount that you pay towards the healthcare costs incurred. Deductibles can be charged for both basic and supplementary insurance.
First, the selected deductible must be paid. Then the deductible of the basic insurance comes into effect. The deductible is 10% of the treatment costs. The upper limit is CHF 700 per calendar year. There are exceptions for children, pregnancy and costs arising from medication and/or accidents.
In contrast to the deductible, the excess cannot be selected for basic insurance. With supplementary insurance, on the other hand, there are many selectable differences between providers.
4 Basic insurance models
Standard model
The standard model is also known as "free choice of doctor" or "the traditional model" and is regarded as a basic model of basic insurance. With this model, you are free to decide which doctor you want to see in the event of a complaint.
General practitioner model
When choosing the family doctor model, you must specify your family doctor in advance. If you fall ill, you must consult your family doctor first. The premiums for this model are generally cheaper than those for the traditional model.
HMO model
The HMO model is also known as the "medical center model". Here you have to go to the nearest group practice if you fall ill. This basic insurance model is up to 25 percent cheaper than the free choice of doctor model.
Telmed model
Most people also call the Telmed model the "telephone model". Here, you contact a medical hotline by telephone if you are ill or have a complaint. The doctors will explain to you over the phone how you should proceed in your case. With the Telmed model, you benefit from a higher premium discount.
OUR PARTNERS
The leading health insurance companies in Switzerland
Health insurance comparison
Compare health insurance companies
Health insurance comparison
Compare health insurances
Health insurance comparison
Health insurance
Compare health insurances
Compare health insurance
Change health insurance
Save on health insurance
Affordable health insurance
Health insurance premiums Switzerland
Health insurance premiums comparison
Cheap health insurance premiums
Health insurance comparison
