Welcome to the wonderful world of Swiss health insurance
In response to your questions :
1. Deductible.
It really depends on your average annual costs when you addition doctors bills, medication etc.
I know this is great in theory but as you've only just got here, you may have no idea of costs etc. however, from what you've written, it sounds like you're in general good health and just visit the doctor now and again.
It might be a good idea to go for something in the middle such as 1'500 for now and then in November, if you see that you're unlikely to ever reach that, increase it to 2'500 for 2012.
You can change your deductible every year for the 1st of Jan as long as you give them 1 months notice.
One thing you should consider is, if you're not working and therefore your accident cover will be covered under your basic insurance, then the deductible would be applicable in case of an accident.
Therefore, it really depends on what level of "risk" you're willing to take.
2. Yes, the list is endless...
All I would say is make sure what you know you're signing up for as some companies/methods make you call a number before seeing a doctor or have no actual offices and everything has to be done over the phone etc.
In my experience, people have had good (and very good) and bad (and very bad) experiences with the same companies so it's difficult to just recommend or eliminate one.
I am an intern in Switzerland (for a year) and approaching the end of my 3rd month here, so I need to get this insurance thing figured out, and fast. I'd appreciate some advice.
1. With regards to deductibles, do we need to pay it upfront? Or only if we make a claim?
2. I live in Aargau, so I cannot use any of the student insurance (this SUCKS). Does anyone know of anything more or less affordable student-ish here? I looked on comparis, but everything is 140+ / month with a huge deductible (which, if I have to pay it upfront is impossible, I simply don't make that much money).
Nope, you don't pay the deductible in advance. It is just the amount you have to pay on your own each year, before the insurance kicks in. So if your deductible is CHF1500 and your total claims for the year are CHF1800 then you will only get 300 back (i.e. total claims minus your deductible.)
I couldn't find an answer to this problem so far so would appreciate it if anyone knows what my options are here.
When leaving Switzerland you have to get a form from the Stadthaus so that you can terminate your medical insurance. You can only de-register (at most) one month before you leave the country so it is not possible in this case to give the health insurance firm three months notice.
I am being told that I have to pay health insurance up to the end of the month of departure. This is regardless of whether you leave on the first or last day of the month. I am also being told that this is the law and that the health insurance company is unable to do anything except bill me for the full month.
Is this true? I really don't want to fork out almost 900 CHF.- for medical insurance that I only need for a couple of days.
Thanks for the response. I'm aware that the insurance is calculated on a monthly basis, however this does not necessarily give them the legal right to charge me for the full month when they know that I would not be in a position to use the service that they are charging me for.
So does anyone know if they do actually have this legal right?
But this is also true that you are insured for the full month and in case you use the medical facilities during that month even in other country, you are entitled to get reimbursement.
First, thanks a lot for this post... really helpful, and has make me seen how low is my knowledge about the insurance system in CH... and I've been here for 2 years... no idea what type of Basic cover I have
But, my question was referred to the Supplementary insurance.
Is the Franchise the same for Basic and for Supplementary insurance? I would like to have accupunture, but currently I have the higher Franchise, so not sure what the insurere would pay.
I've asked by e-mail, but all I get are German docs which I cannot understand
First- thanks for all the information on this thread. My wife and I moved to Switzerland yesterday for her career, and we are trying to understand health insurance options. Are there independent agents/brokers (who are truly independent) to help with determining what package we need? Our German is still poor, but improving, so we would need to find one that is conversant in English, and in the Zurich area.
No, the deductible or "franchise" is only applicable to your basic insurance.
Some companies do have a deductible on alternative therapies but this depends on the company and the franchise will be a lot lower if there is one (depending on the company, it could range from 75CHF to 300CHF p.a.).
Just one thing... acupuncture is the only alternative therapy which is covered by basic insurance however, it is only covered in some cases. e.g. if it is to give up smoking, that would not be covered by basic.
I would speak to your insurance company before making an appointment.
I know it's maybe a little more daunting but you would be better off calling them as most companies do have someone that speaks English whereas if you send an email, they're likely to just send you a load of bumpf in French or German (the "easy" option for them!).
Yes, another thumbs up for Jenny - completely independent, and walked us through all the basic/ supplementary/ deductible options to come up with the most insurance for the least price possible that suited our health and family circumstances. We had no clue about this at all when we arrived from our cosy UK-NHS background, and she was so helpful.
She has already been in touch! Very prompt and very helpful! I'm sure I will understand health insurance here better soon, but right now its like walking blindfolded through a maze, I think.
My husband is a student, but not EU student. What is best insurance option for him?
CSS rejected us with making student insurance, but tradiconsult made it. Hovewer canton didn't buy it and asking for a confirmation of Swiss studentship.
I heard something about international student insurance. How does it works?
Hi, I am registered in Switzerland since the 31st May 2011 and came here with my partner who has a permanent job. We were advised by his company to register so we both registered.
We have just broken up and I have still not received my ausweis as they want 2 documents, one of which I am arranging today, the second is proof of health insurance.
Now that I am leaving and will be de-registering next week, will they still want me to pay for health insurance as I am just over the 3 month mark?
Thanks a lot for all the information. Really helpful.
Just one question regarding the payment and termination. Do you have to pay for a minimum period in advance? Also, I just arrived here. I am trying to settle down. What if however, I decide to leave Switzerland? In a post it said that you can just terminate. Is this the case? Or do I have to give them a certain amount of notice?