Sharply rising health insurance premiums appear to be a key driver behind 27% of people changing insurance provider in 2022, according to a survey by Comparis. Average premiums for 2023 are 6.6% higher than those for 2022. This sharp rise in premiums was cited as a key factor for changing insurer by 61% of the […]
Numerous Swiss health insurance price comparison sites misleading
Ahead of deciding on where best to insure in 2023 numerous websites claim to offer reliable health insurance comparison tools. However, many cannot be trusted, according to a report by RTS. Nine out the 16 websites reviewed by a consumer advocacy association failed the test. The nine failing sites offered no product comparison. Instead they […]
Deadline for changing Swiss health insurance approaching
Once a year it is possible to (easily) change your health insurance in Switzerland. To do so you must cancel your existing policy by 30 November, a date fast approaching. Deadline for annual changes is 30 NovemberInsurers must tell their members what next year’s premiums will be by 31 October. Members then have until 30 […]
Swiss health insurer announces plan to refund 400 million francs
The Swiss health insurer Groupe Mutuel announced that it plans to refund CHF 400 million to its policy holders, according to RTS. The company, which started returning money to its policy holders two years ago hopes to provide further premium rebates over the next three years. Last year the company returned CHF 101 million and […]
Swiss health insurers to refund 300 million francs
Switzerland’s largest health insurers are poised to refund around CHF 300 million to policy holders, reported RTS. Switzerland’s health insurers have reserves of roughly CHF 12 billion, around 2 times the minimum reserve requirement, and have been under pressure from the government to return the money to policy holders. This week Switzerland’s parliament decided to […]
Two weaknesses in Swiss health insurance revealed by documentary
A recent documentary by RTS reveals two key weaknesses in Switzerland’s system of compulsory health insurance that make it difficult to claim for cancer drugs. Switzerland has a system of compulsory health insurance that covers most medical care and medicines, but not everything. Optional additional insurance can be added on top, but given the high […]
Health insurers encouraged to use reserves to cut or repay premiums
In 2020, total reserves held by Swiss health insurance companies reached CHF 11.3 billion, a level equivalent to 203% of the minimum required, according to RTS. Excess reserves jumped recently after the government cut the minimum reserve level by one third, part of a move designed to encourage health insurers to align premiums more closely […]
Cost of Swiss health insurance to rise in 2021
Compulsory Swiss health insurance premiums are set to rise by an average of 0.5% in 2021, according to the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH). The average monthly premium will rise to CHF 316.50, 0.5% higher than in 2020. Premiums have risen an average of 3.7% p.a. since obligatory insurance was introduced in Switzerland in […]
A guide to changing Swiss health insurance
It’s that time of the year again. Once a year every insured person has the right to change the provider of his or her basic compulsory Swiss health insurance. For most people changing is only possible if you cancel your existing policy by 30 November. This date is approaching. Deadline for annual changes is 30 […]
Swiss health insurers to send patients to pharmacy first
Swiss healthcare is typically ranked the world’s second most expensive, as a percentage of GDP, after the US. In Switzerland, compulsory health insurance premiums cover 37% of healthcare costs. Much of the rest is covered by tax payers and non-reimbursable out-of-pocket payments by individuals. As part of a plan to reduce costs, this week, the […]
