Hello,
I have Helsana Completa Extra supplemental insurance (along with basic) that allows 4Kchf per year for elective services abroad.
I have an excellent highly qualified osteopath in the UK that really specializes in helping me with my back. (I would travel there, see him a lot to put together a whole program and then periodically check back later).
The Helsana telephone agent says the treatment abroad benefit only would apply to physiotherapy abroad but not to osteopaths, even though the osteopath has many more years of university degrees and training than a physio.
They do cover osteopaths within CH and along the German border, some of which I've seen, but my UK one has a very special approach.
I was beginning to wonder if there was some work around or perhaps I could write them, with all their qualifications, etc and some how ask them to pay.
Does anyone know of any tricks or suggestions?
I haven't been able to find a great whole body physical therapist in ZH that would put together a whole program for me that integrates my various challenges.
Thanks for any thoughts,
MakeABigWish
The trick as you say is to read your contract and see exactly what you signed up to. Switzerland is very much a rule based society, you will get exactly what was agreed and no more.
I know my Podiatrist has (much) less education and experience than Podiatrists in other countries who are Doctors. Perhaps pointing out to the insurance company the difference between a UK osteopath and a Swiss one. Assuming the British one is higher qualified than in Switzerland’s may help.
You're unlikely to get much satisfaction from this. Look at it from the insurance's perspective. You're asking to reimburse treatment from someone who they have no control over, who's qualifications mean nothing here, are not certified, and so on. You can wave your arms in all directions about how good your practitioner is and wave all the diplomas you want, but they simply don't mean anything here.
You may get emergency treatment abroad refunded and there are some specific treatments which may be included in supplementary insurance, but if they're not listed, there's no reason for them to pay.
I would write them a letter and ask. Explain why you want to go to this particular person, send them their details, and provide them a cost estimate. If it is similar to the costs in Switzerland, they might allow it. We have dental insurance for Switzerland, and I asked my insurance if they would cover the cost for a dental treatment in the US. They asked for the cost estimate and it was approved.
You dont know until you ask.....in writing.