Since 1999, the cost of health insurance has more than doubled. Basic compulsory insurance is now 2.36 times what it was in 1999, while complimentary optional insurance is up by 30%. Overall, disposable income has been reduced by 5.3% by the rising cost of insurance over the last 25 years. Six of the last 25 […]
Swiss health insurance premiums set to rise most since 2010
Health insurance premiums will rise by 8.7% on average in 2024, announced the authorities this week. This is the sharpest rise since 2010 when they rose by 8.6%. The average monthly premium across Switzerland in 2024 will be CHF 359.50. Health Minister Alain Berset and Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) director Anne Lévy announced the […]
1 in 4 changed health insurer this year
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 […]
