I had a very rare vascular disease worldwide. In Switzerland, the planned operation was cancelled, and afterwards I was refused treatment and referral, even though my condition continued to deteriorate. The reason for all cancellations and refusals was the same — this disease is not surgically treated by Swiss surgeons. As a result, I was forced to undergo the operation abroad at my own expense. The procedure was successful, and the diagnoses were confirmed. I am currently dependent on social assistance.
I have basic health insurance, and the social services were prepared to send me (through my treating physician) to any clinic within Switzerland. For treatment abroad, however, they required a second medical opinion. I was unable to obtain such a second opinion because Swiss doctors had no experience with my diagnosis.
Is it possible to request partial or full reimbursement of expenses from social services if the surgery was medically necessary and in fact not available in Switzerland?