Any other British or EU retirees who get Lamal insurance via Form S1

Finance, Taxes, Banking, Insurance and Retirement
41
It's amazing the level of entitlement people get, living in the UK for a long time.

42
Your problem doesn’t even seem to be with Switzerland or with the UK but with the EU. Or I, like BM, am not understanding correctly.

But considering that you will get large subsidies on your health insurance if you have a low income, I’m not seeing the down side to be sure that you are covered appropriately.

43
It is to do with the new reciprocal agreements between the UK and Switzerland.

S1 will remain valid- but to CH and UK. S1 should give the same cover as those who are insured via Swiss Insurance- but we have been told it would no longer be the case and to get travel insurance to top up. The Travel Insurance product does not exist here in CH- we can't buy from UK as it would amount to fraud.

We re looking at the legal issues with S1 becoming limited to CH and UK. Very happy to get Travel Insurance, as we always have done- but we can't as it does not exist. And yes, there is a possibility that the only option might be to return to full compulsory Swiss Insurance- and therefore be covered 'twice' for CH and UK- in order not to be 'trapped'.

Simple enough, I'd say, apart that it actually seems to be very complicated.

Do get in touch, if you understand what I am saying and if you are in the same position. If not- why bother?

44
What do you man travel insurance doesn't exist? Since when?

45
Have you bothered to read the thread??? if you did, my comment would be clear.

46
Have a look at World Nomads. Works like UK travel insurance, but doesn’t matter where you are resident!

47
It does exist - Allianz as an example - as already mentioned by someone else on this thread

You mention you'd go for BUPA if it was possible - I have worldwide BUPA and taking Swiss insurance would be a cheaper option.

48
Indeed it is

49
I have quoted from Allianz very clearly- it would not apply to us.

No I never mentionned I'd go for Bupa- I made it very clear too.

Thank you to the one useful comment by Island Monkey. Later Edit- have had a look at World Nomads to get a quote- but they ask for one specific country, and for specific dates- before going further. We are not looking at 'travel insurance' per se- but daily life cover. In case one of us falls while shopping in France (our nearest shops!), or go for a walk or a bike ride in nearby France, any day, any time- or go for a drive in nearby France, or a short trip to Italy, or drive to the UK to see family, etc. But thanks.

50
What you need is normal Swiss health insurance like almost everyone else who legally resides in Switzerland. Life can be tough

51
From Allianz T&C (more detailed than what you quoted):

Assumption of health care costs for emergency medical interventions to

treat illnesses or accidents suffered by the insured person while travelling

abroad. The insurance is considered as a follow-up insurance to the statutory social insurance system (health insurance, accident insurance etc.)

and to any supplememtary [sic] insurance policies

Note the use of the wording "statutory social insurance system" - not "mandatory Swiss insurance". The German is the same. The French seems also to be the same (my French is not too reliable)

"Prise en charge des frais de guérison pour les interventions médicales

d'urgence en vue du traitement de maladies ou d'accidents de la personne

assurée pendant le voyage à l'étranger. L'assurance fournit les prestations

comme assurance subsidiaire aux assurances sociales légales (assurance maladie, assurance accident etc.) et à d’éventuelles assurances

complémentaires. "

52
Have you actually asked Allianz?

They say the pay what is not covered by your health insurance, it doesn’t specify that it has to be Swiss LAMal insurance.

53
No I have not asked Allianz. I have asked La Mobilière and our very friendly, very helpful guy from our Insurers, La Mobilière. We have their holiday cover, and same as Allianz, as, according to our Insurance guy, all Swiss Travel Insurances, it covers the excess over and above the 'double cost' it would be in Switzerland - eg most of the cover comes from your Health/accident insurance- and they would pick up the rest, repatriation, etc.

The words from the Allianz site are clear:

'Dans de nombreux pays, les soins médicaux et hospitaliers sont nettement plus chers qu'en Suisse. La prestation d'assurance frais de guérison à l'étranger prend en charge les frais qui ne sont plus pris en charge par l'assurance-maladie obligatoire.'

In many countries, medical treatment is largely more expensive than in Switzerland. The Health care insurance provided for cover abroad, takes care of the expenses which are not paid by THE COMPULSORY HEALTH INSURANCE.

54
This may be the only option - and cost about 10000 a year, even for just going walking across the border, shopping or swimming in the lake- never mind 'travel'. Having lost 60% of income in last few years- yes, it would be tough.

I am fully aware that Form S1 cover truly grates with you- but that is not really my problem. But thanks. I am proud of the guy who managed to get through his Medical studies at a top London Med school despite hiw very modest upbringing, not born with the proverbial silver spoon, not educated privately at posh boarding school -often hungry and exhausted beyond words, worked his guts out all his life dedicated to the NHS, nearly lost his life because of this, but continued to work 140 hrs + a week for several years, and 90+ for most of his life and 70+ in his last few years. And I am fully aware you will never understand what that means. That's OK- your problem entirely. End of.

55
Wow, over 120k CHF saved in health insurance cost, not bad at all

While income has decreased, assets from here have increased when transferred into GBP today

56
Well if you don’t ask you’ll never know.

Maybe they consider the S1 as obligatory health Insurance?

57
So Odile, what happens if you move to the UK? Presumably there will be a deal whereby British residents are covered by the NHS agreement throughout the EU??

58
Just take the cheapest with highest excess, will cost nearer half of that, then only if you need it do you pay the balance. You already have the 300 chf excess for CH.

I left school at 16 & got a job, set up my own company & worked 16 hours a day 7 days a week. Plenty of people have had to work hard, not just your husband. It's a choice!

59

Exactly- this is why it is massively important to follow up this case- as we received info from Embassy and Lamal which stated it would change from December. So, indeed. La Mobilière is also looking into this for us.

If we go back to the UK, we would be covered by NHS - and would have to take Travel Insurance, as we have always done in the past. Won't be easy now due to increased age and pre-exisiting conditions. Even if EHIC survives in some form, as you know. it only covers emergency stage and just cannot be relied on. Far too dangerous.

60
Is it totally impossible for you to buy some sort of global travel insurance policy from the UK? I appreciate that normal policies wouldn't perhaps be applicable as you are a non-resident, but surely there is specialist cover for UK citizens who live abroad somewhere in the market.

I imagine any solution is likely to be expensive, but still maybe cheaper than basic Swiss coverage, which I understand would cover you. My sympathies with your difficulties.