I am debating whether to look into an insurance company that offers worldwide coverage, i.e. not only for emergency situations. My reasoning for this is that Switzerland is a small country and I don't expect best service for everything, i.e. might be that for some surgery somewhere else is substantially better.
Was looking into CSS, but they have it only for private(premium) insurance.
Anybody has experience with this with any company or an opinion on needing such an insurance?
Thanks!
We have basic cover with CSS, but I expect for worldwide you’re going to be paying a premium price whichever company you choose. Are you expecting to need that much surgery abroad?
I believe there is a huge difference between an average and a good doctor, have seen results of surgeries performed by two classes and differences between them. Having tones of doctors in my closer and extended family am also somewhat exposed to thinking more about such things.
Many people travel to Switzerland to get treatment, so only very a few places in the world would offer "substantially better" treatment, so there is no need for Swiss residents to even consider travelling for surgery.
For non-emergency surgery, usually the medical advice is to do it near where you live, in case of complications. If, after surgery, you need to visit the hospital every month for checks for a year, would you plan to fly eg to the US to do it? It doesn't really make sense. You wouldnt be considered a Swiss resident if you stay that long abroad continuously.
Plus if you manage to find one who does it, it will be additional insurance (not basic) which means very expensive, multi-year contract and health questionnaire. It may even be cheaper to get a health insurance from that country instead.
Some companies offer supplementary insurance abroad, but this is more for additional (non-medical) costs, eg repatriation with air ambulance etc., and in the details they say the cover only short trips, eg 40 days or less abroad.
By the way, there was an initiative last year or so to allow people under basic insurance to have their treatment abroad, as long as the cost is the same or smaller to what it costs in Switzerland. I dont know what the verdict was in the end.
On the other hand where do you get better service is somewhat subjective and question of trust. Might be just a thing of preconception for those coming to Switzerland for treatment, and vice verse, mine of not necessarily preferring it. In the end even the best drs from Switzerland go for training in the US, etc. Though when extra care is needed it might be indeed difficult, I think it is nice to have an option.
Besides, not being from Switzerland myself, I now how to find/reach some of the best doctors in some other countries, but not here in Switzerland.
Anyway, it seems it's a top insurance company but so far I only used it to get CHF 400 back from my gym membership