How To Get Health Insurance In Switzerland

This article aims to give information on how one may get health insurance in Switzerland federal republic. It will cover the three primary choices: private health insurance, public health insurance in Switzerland, and the Swiss travel insurance system.

Public, cantonal, and private insurance comprise the three pillars of the Swiss health care system, a three-tiered structure. As the names indicate, the federal government is the only provider of public insurance, the individual’s home canton handles cantonal insurance, and individuals are responsible for procuring their private insurance coverage.

Key Takeaways

  • How to get health insurance in Switzerland
  • What is the cost of healthcare insurance in Switzerland?
  • List of the best health insurance in Switzerland
  • Answers to most of the frequently asked questions
Health Insurance In Switzerland
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How To Get Health Insurance In Switzerland

You are automatically covered by the health insurance system in Switzerland if you are a citizen of Switzerland or if you have a resident visa for the country. You will be given a Swiss health insurance card, which permits you to get medical care in Switzerland at no cost or a significantly reduced cost.

Suppose you are neither a citizen of Switzerland nor a permanent country resident. If that’s the case, you’ll have to obtain private health insurance to be eligible for medical care in Switzerland. There are much different private health insurance in Switzerland, and their plans and pricing may all be compared and contrasted online. Be sure that your insurance plan covers the kinds of medical services you will most likely want while in Switzerland and that you have purchased them before you go.

For your convenience, a concise overview of how to get health insurance in Switzerland is presented below. Make sure that you are insured, regardless of whether or not you are a Swiss citizen so that you can relax and enjoy your time in Switzerland without worrying about medical care costs.

The Cost Of Healthcare Insurance In Switzerland?

A recent survey found that the average annual cost of healthcare insurance in Switzerland is roughly $4,700. This figure varies considerably based on your age, gender, and lifestyle. Smokers, for example, spend an average of $5,400 yearly for health insurance, while nonsmokers pay an average of $4,200.

You will almost have to pay the whole premium if you are self-employed. If you work, your company generally pays a part of the expense. The government also provides subsidies for low-income people and families.

In Switzerland, there are many methods to save money on healthcare insurance. One option is to get a higher deductible plan. This implies that if you need to use your insurance, you will have to pay more outstanding out-of-pocket charges, but your monthly premiums will be reduced. Another option to save money is choosing insurance that covers the necessities. This catastrophic plan may help you save up to 50% on insurance premiums.

List Of The Best Health Insurance In Switzerland

You’ve come to the correct spot if you seek Switzerland’s most significant health insurance. This post will present an overview of the leading health insurance carriers in Switzerland and some advice on choosing the best one for your requirements.

1. IMG

IMG is another well-known brand in the global insurance industry. IMG has three branches globally and has been active for more than 25 years.

IMG offers a wide variety of programs for single immigrant or their whole family. They also offer programs designed for specific categories of passengers, such as ex-pats. Both short-term and long-term programs are available, lasting a year or more.

You can easily explore the IMG website and find what you’re looking for by using the filters for dates, plan duration, location, and more. You should also provide some personal information with these filters, such as your age and any particular coverage requirements.

So that you may compare plans and coverage choices and decide which is ideal for you, the provider can provide you with a thorough quotation. Just be cautious while reading the fine print of each plan since IMG covers not all age groups, and not all of their policies include Covid-19 coverage.

Pros

  • 24/7 client assistance
  • Plans with a lot of flexibility and configurable coverage limitations
  • They have more than 17,000 physicians in their network.

Cons

  • Not all of their plans have Covid-19 coverage.
  • Offer no insurance to anyone over 75

2. Aetna

Aetna is a pioneer in the global insurance market and often takes home honors from the business community. Therefore, Aetna is a possibility to consider if you’re searching for a secure and reliable alternative to get insurance before moving to Switzerland.

Even though they don’t have many different plans, all of them are flexible and let you add additional coverage (like dental care). Additionally, this insurance provides a thorough protection for up to USD 5 million in specific circumstances.

You can incorporate coverage for repatriation and medical evacuation, and you may choose between family or individual insurance.

I advise Aetna Pioneer as an immigrant. This plan provides essential coverage of up to 1.75 million USD. If interested, you can view an exact quotation and obtain comprehensive details on the different methods by completing a form on their website.

Pros

  • 24/7 client assistance
  • A mobile application that makes it simple to find medical professionals and services when you need them
  • Options for short-, medium-, and long-term plans
  • Protection for maternity care
  • Pre-trip assistance with information on items like vaccines and prescription drugs

Cons

  • There are not many options for plans to pick from.
  • The cost is more than the alternatives on this list.

3.  GeoBlue

For the last 20 years, GeoBlue has provided insurance policies with global health coverage.

However, remember that GeoBlue only provides health insurance to Americans who are citizens or permanent residents. So you may disregard this choice if you’re not an American citizen or resident coming to Switzerland.

For all demographics, including immigrants, GeoBlue offers a variety of health insurance policies. In such a situation, the Xplorer Essential is the long-term, unlimited coverage package I usually suggest.

Try GeoBlue’s Voyager plan if you want a shorter plan. You will need to complete a form or contact an insurance broker to get a price and more specific information about the plans.

Pros

  • 24/7 client assistance
  • App with technological and healthcare resources accessible
  • Specific policies offer pre-existing condition coverage.
  • Every package offers limitless protection

Cons

  • Plans accessible exclusively to citizens and permanent residents of the United States
  • Plans lack a lot of flexibility.
  • You must complete a form or speak with an insurance broker for further details or prices.

4. SafetyWing

One of the most well-known insurance providers for digital nomads is SafetyWing, which provides insurance plans designed especially for immigrants, remote employees and businesses, and digital nomads.

One advantage of SafetyWing is that its policies are often easier to understand than those offered by competitors. If the children’s caregivers have a plan, they also provide free coverage for kids ages 2 to 10.

Age affects how much each plan costs. The least expensive plan does not cover pre-existing conditions; however, it does provide coverage up to 250,000 USD. However, you may add pre-existing condition coverage if you need it.

My favorite perk from SafetyWing is that every 90 days you utilize your plan in Switzerland, you get 30 days of free coverage in your home country.

Pros

  • Modern, user-friendly website with 24/7 customer support where you can find all the information you require
  • For every 90 days of coverage abroad, you’ll get 30 days of free coverage at home.
  • Offers covid-19 coverage and care at doctor’s recommendation

Cons

  • Plans are a bit simpler than those on the list as a whole.
  • Prices shown on the website exclude all applicable taxes and fees.

5. Cigna

Regarding foreign health insurance, Cigna, an American corporation with a substantial presence in Europe, is a great choice.

Cigna is one of the most well-known insurance companies. It has been in business for over 60 years and has more than 170 million clients worldwide.

As you would anticipate from a large insurance provider, Cigna offers a wide range of policies, including immigrant coverage, that will cover you in Switzerland.

You can migrate to Switzerland with your family or on your own. The ability to add benefits to your plan depending on the types of medical treatment you need to be covered is a good feature of Cigna’s policies. Three plans are available: Silver, Platinum, and Gold, all of which provide coverage in more than 200 nations and territories.

The Close Care plan is a fantastic choice if you’re searching for a less expensive insurance policy for Switzerland. As it only covers you in your home country and the nation you want to dwell in, this specific plan is the least expensive one that Cigna provides.

Pros

  • 24/7 client assistance
  • Flexible plans with customizable coverage
  • Includes PCR testing and coverage for the Covid-19 therapy
  • You may receive a quotation without registering or providing your email.
  • Access to a digital directory that makes it simple to locate the medical facilities near to you
  • Most of the time, the business pays the healthcare providers directly, so you won’t need to ask for a reimbursement.

Cons

  • Some of their plans do not include maternity care.

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Conclusion

If you already live in Switzerland, you have a few options for getting health insurance. Your employer is the most common way to obtain health insurance. If your company does not provide health insurance, you can bring it from a private insurer. You can also enroll in a public health insurance system available to Swiss residents and certain foreigners.

When selecting a health insurance plan in Switzerland, there are a few things to consider. To begin, all Swiss residents are legally required to have health insurance.

Second, ensure that your plan includes the essential benefits mandated by law, such as hospitalization, maternity care, and prescription drugs. Third, consider your requirements and select a plan that includes the services you are likely to use. Finally, before enrolling in a plan, compare premiums and deductibles.

FAQs

What Happens If You Don’t Get Health Insurance In Switzerland?

Except for exempt individuals, no one living in Switzerland without health insurance will be allowed to use Swiss medical services other than emergency care, which will incur a fee.

How Do Poor People Afford Health Insurance In Switzerland?

The government provides premium subsidies for lower-income employees and restricts annual out-of-pocket costs. Therefore, unlike in the United States, medical debt seldom causes bankruptcy.

Can You Live In Switzerland Without Health Insurance?

In Switzerland, having health insurance is required. For instance, within three months after birth, infants must be covered. Adults who have just immigrated to the nation have 90 days to sign up for a Swiss health insurance plan or submit an exemption application.

How Much Does A Hospital Stay Cost In Switzerland?

Adults must pay the first CHF 300 in “extra” medical expenses each year, except maternity care. There is an additional fee of CHF 15 per day for hospital stays. Up to 90% of the sum over the “excess” will be covered by insurance.

You can learn more from the video below:

About Author

Health Insurance In Switzerland
Lydia Alolade
I am a professional article and e-book writer with 4 years of experience, I write on well research content on cryptocurrency, stocks, loans and finances.

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