Health insurance is mandatory for all residents of Switzerland as per the Swiss Federal Health Insurance Act, which enables it to provide universal health coverage. The act also defines the complete extent of health insurance benefits and policies available to every policyholder. Basic health insurance mandatorily has to be uniform across all health insurers, and for all insured individuals.
However, most citizens choose to opt for voluntary supplementary insurance which provides extra cover for any medical care requirements not covered by the basic insurance. For instance, gym memberships, dental care, etc., are not included in the basic Insuretech and require additional cover. Premiums are completely independent of the individual’s income, but rather on the risk profile which is decided based on age, residence, and other factors.
Savings on Basic Insurance
Health insurance comparison is an important step in choosing the right plan that balances great benefits with low premiums. Though basic insurance is uniform, premiums do vary as per the location, provider, and even the healthcare model you choose. Some tips to help you maximize your savings during a health insurance comparison are:
Insurance model:
The standard healthcare model is provided by all insurance companies, but you can save by checking out alternative insurance models during your health insurance comparison. Having a restricted choice of healthcare professionals and facilities is actually a better choice, especially if you are reasonably healthy and do not expect major medical expenses. In such cases, your main objective of health insurance comparison would be to keep your premiums to a minimum. Basically, in the alternative healthcare model, you are assigned a specific healthcare professional or facility which you can approach for your initial medical condition. They will recommend further care only if necessary to one of their higher medical care professionals. This may seem like reducing your options, but in fact, it helps you save significant amounts on premiums. Moreover, you can also receive great discounts and offers when you choose an alternative model.
Option deductibles:
A deductible is the initial portion of your healthcare costs that you choose to bear yourself before your insurance company starts picking up the bills. The statutory minimum is CHF 300, but a health insurance comparison allows you to choose a higher deductible for your basic insurance. By maximizing your deductibles, you save greatly on premiums without compromising on the quality of care.
Accident Cover:
Accidents are covered in basic insurance, but you may not need them. When undertaking a health insurance comparison, please be aware that if you work for a single employer for more than 8 hours a week, all your occupational and non-occupational accidents are covered through their insurance. Excluding additional accidents, the cover helps you reduce the premiums more, up to around 7%.
Available Discounts:
Swiss insurance is for individuals, so there is no provision for family insurance. Instead, you have to have a separate insurance cover for your children and other dependents. When performing a health insurance comparison, you can select different insurance providers and packages separately, irrespective of your personal insurer.
But having your child’s insurance from the same provider can also reduce your premiums since most of them offer specific benefits. In a health insurance comparison [people in french says – Comparaison des assurances maladie], make sure that you are clear about the actual requirements of each individual family member and choose accordingly.
Government Subsidies:
The Swiss healthcare system is made possible by a combination of private and public health insurance policies. Before you start a thorough health insurance comparison, make sure you are up to date about the latest policies regarding subsidies in your current location. Subsidies are offered at a cantonal level, which is designed to help you achieve health insurance with state aid in applicable cases.
Supplementary benefits:
One of the main reasons you must periodically undertake health insurance comparison [people in Italy say –Confronto delle casse malati] is it lets you explore all the benefits provided by different insurers. If your insurance policy provides supplementary benefits, you can be reimbursed for all your healthcare costs. This usually includes deductibles, excess, dental treatment, and some alternative therapies as well.
Additional Insurance Coverage
Most Swiss residents go for additional coverage to avail greater benefits such as private accommodation for treatment, a wider choice of healthcare professionals and facilities, and more, which are usually not covered by the basic insurance. This is why a health insurance comparison is so important. There is no perfect single plan for all emergencies, so you must pick and choose your coverage that addresses all your requirements at the lowest premiums possible.
CONCLUSION
The process of health insurance comparison is the first step in ensuring proper medical care in times of emergencies. It is a fallacy to assume that you can avail supplementary insurance as and when the need arises. Insurers can offer supplementary insurance at their discretion, which means that they will usually reject such applications. Make sure that you consider every single aspect of your healthcare when performing a health insurance comparison to find the best coverage and providers for your insurance coverage.
