I have health insurance with CSS, model callmed. I've seen that CSS now offers multimed model, which supposedly is a combination of callmed and familiy doctor; the multimed model is cheaper than callmed even though seems to offer callmed services plus family doctor.
I've tried to ask CSS if there is any drawback in choosing multimed (as it seems strange to me that offers more thing than callmed but it's cheaper) but they just said "multimed is a combination of callmed and family doctor models"; so I would like to know if anybody knows more or has personal experience regarding CSS multimed.
I am also wondering the same thing. Did you find out any more information? I was just reading Sections 10 and 11 or the Multimed regulations and it basically says you are obliged to take cheaper and biosimilar medicines if they are available. I do not really understand the implication of doing this and how much effort it will be to manage our own healthcare with this 'Multimed' option
When I had a callmed only model the calls were free. Now I see some hybrid callmed/hausarzt models where you have to pay for the calls as if it were a doctors visit. The cost eats into your franchise etc same as it would if you went to your hausarzt.
I was thinking about going back on a callmed model again to avoid the hausarzt visit as I only have medix toujours and always see someone different.
Callmed with Hausartz is better than callmed and random doctors when you need one face to face (maybe in that scenario there is a different term than callmed, mine is actually telmed). My GP studies the dossier/lab results, x-rays or whatever data before talking to me on the phone as much as when going to see him. Having a doctor who knows you is always better chance for excellent treatment than seeing random doctors who happen to be on duty.
Finding a hausarzt seems to be a problem in itself but if I can I think I might go the callmed(telmed) plus hausartz route. The callmed should work for urgent issues and then the hausartz can be the central contact who gets to know you, right?
Yeah. It takes a while to find a GP, but I think it's worth to travel to him. It is a bit of a detective work..If you go to a clinic, a bunch might be on rotating duty but also might have a private practice on a side. I found a great internist that way who also has an office next town over as a regular GP.
When you call using this call model, is the rate normal or is it a "doctor" rate? I'm asking because I called one of the special numbers to reach a kantonsspital, a 3 or 5 minute call cost me 11.XX francs.
I'm also wondering about this and I've asked my local CSS broker about that. Waiting for an answer. I think the rationale behind this —as I understand it—is you are expected to call more than go to the doctor and since they say they are connected, probably there are savings down the line for them.
I believe that because I was checking the price for my kid —1yo boy—and actually the multimed model was slightly more expensive. In other words. They now that with your kid you aren't going to mess around and you probably going straight to the doctor and calling from time to time. In other words, use the service even more.
I'm most probably going to take it. I don't know for my kid though. But we save ~40 Francs per month.
They just told me the catch... on the multimed model there are less family doctors available. On our case isn't a big deal because the practice we are tacking our son is on the list, and we are most probably going to the same center. But is you are happy with your doctor and he is not on the list most probably is a deal breaker.
For us this thing os choose doctor is a little bit of a pain in the ass for us, since we never before have to do it. In Spain —where we are from—the system assign one. If you don't like you can change. You can say I don't like, I want another opinion... and I think you can even choose. In Finland —where we were the last 6 years—the gatekeeper was a nurse you can't choose and if s/he thinks that what you have is serious enough s/he refers you to a doctor. Things have to be ducking dire for you to be referred to a doctor. Of course you can go to the ER any time, but doctor are mythological animals on daily basics. You are referred to an specialist if needed.
I'm really thinking to go into this model since there are saving and there almost no changes (and even improvements) for us.
We are with CSS Callmed the last three years. The call is free, and when in needed of going to the home doctor, which once can choose freely. The Callmed simply open the treatment window, then I can visit my doctor, or I can order the needed medicine prescription directly from my house doctor. For a few times, I needed a quick medical opinion, I found Callmed very helpful, especially when I do not want to visit clinic during the pandemics unless its necessary. When I saw the Multimed option, but soon found out my home doctor was not on their list. Pity. I opted out the Multimed option. But I am also not super happy with the total amount of our monthly health insurance bill. Too much.
I really think that callmed and mulimed are good options, specially for expats. We don't know anyone here and for us is really difficult to figure out the doctor thing. Have one point of contact where you can be referred is really helpful.
About the money... it's always too much of course.
My wife, daughter and I are on it. Unfortunately the local practice in Frick isn't listed, so we travel into Rheinfelden (15 minutes on the train). Not really a worry for us, as we can do some border shopping when we are there. There's been no issues in terms of getting anything refunded etc.
We're with CSS and have Callmed, if we need a GP it suits us to use Medix Toujours up near Basel SBB railway station at Centralbahnplatz. They can refer if necessary and are fully equipped for all sorts of tests. I saw them for an ear problem and was referred to a specialist ENT clinic at Schifflande, had an appointment within 3 days. I don't have to contact CSS if it's for annual womens health checks and the gynae lady I go to refers to either Bethesda or St Claraspital if necessary.
CSS callmed you have free doctor choice i.e. once you called and talked, and got an OK that you need to go to doctor, you can say I am going to this specialist that's it
multi-med , there is no free doctor choice as callmed you follow the recommendation of hausarzt or hotline probably from pre-selected doctors
Do you know what is the reason? I asked them about if they are going to expand the list of doctors and the answer was:
" We are of course hoping to being able to include more doctors over the next couple of months and years to come "
So... I don't know if it's a problem of the practices or what is going on. I perhaps thinking that is more work for the practices since they have to coordinate with the insurance contact. I don't know...
Exactly. Unless you have knowledge of where is good and where isn't, you generally just want someone to tell you. The worry is the GP or hotline is under pressure or obligation to send you to the cheapest specialist rather than the best.