Overview
How Supplementary Insurance Works
Medical care in Switzerland is of excellent quality but also relatively expensive compared to international standards. Therefore, the basic insurance only covers services that directly contribute to maintaining health, prevent a deterioration of health, or are necessary for the treatment of an illness or accident, such as hospital treatment after an accident or physiotherapy to halt the progression of osteoarthritis.
While many services are already included in the basic insurance, not all of the services that a person may need or want throughout their life are covered. A supplementary insurance policy allows you to enhance the protection provided by your basic insurance by adding additional services or achieving higher coverage. For example, you can receive treatments that are not listed in the basic insurance coverage without having to pay out of pocket. Additionally, if your basic insurance only covers part of the cost for a treatment, the right supplementary insurance can provide significantly higher or even full coverage.
While many services are already included in the basic insurance, it does not cover everything a person may need or want over the course of their life. With supplementary insurance, you can enhance the protection of your basic insurance by adding additional services or achieving higher coverage. For example, you can access treatments that are not listed in the basic insurance coverage without having to pay for them yourself. Additionally, if your basic insurance only covers a portion of the cost for a treatment, the right supplementary insurance can provide significantly higher or even full coverage.
Supplementary Insurance: These Options Are Available
Das Angebot an Zusatzversicherungen auf dem Schweizer Markt ist sehr gross, dementsprechend schwierig kann es sein, den passenden Tarif zu finden. Wer sich auf die Suche begibt, sollte sich deshalb zunächst einen Überblick über die verschiedenen Möglichkeiten verschaffen, um herauszufinden, was möglich ist und welche Tarife die passenden Leistungen enthalten. Insgesamt gliedert sich das Angebot an Zusatzversicherungen in drei unterschiedliche Bereiche, nämlich ambulante Zusatzversicherungen, solche fürs Spital und in Tarife der privaten Unfallversicherung.
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Outpatient Supplementary Insurance
In Switzerland, outpatient supplementary insurance offers the widest range of services, covering various outpatient medical services. Since the benefit catalog for private plans is not regulated by law, there is a vast selection of plans that include different services. Even plans that appear identical at first glance can vary significantly in their offerings, making it essential to take your time when choosing and carefully review all options. Overall, the plans available in Switzerland are divided into three main areas:
Outpatient Treatments and Aids
These plans cover additional medical services and aids that are not covered by basic insurance. For example, they may contribute to the costs of psychotherapeutic treatments, emergency transport, or additional pregnancy examinations. Many packages also include coverage for glasses and contact lenses or medications not listed by your basic insurer.Prevention and Complementary Medicine
Insurance for alternative medicine and prevention is also very popular. These typically include cost-sharing for alternative treatments, such as autogenic training, and preventive measures like extra check-ups or preventive treatments. Some of these supplementary plans also cover part of the cost of a gym membership.Dental Insurance
Since dental treatments are only covered by basic insurance in Switzerland in exceptional cases, the demand here is particularly high. There are dental insurance plans that cover only a small portion of a few treatments, but there are also premium plans that allow for almost any treatment imaginable. It’s especially important to thoroughly research before signing up and not just settle for the first plan you come across.
Hospital Supplementary Insurance
If you want more than standard service in a hospital, you can achieve this with hospital insurance. There are also various models here, allowing you to receive different levels of service:
General Hospital Insurance
This plan expands your options when choosing hospitals. Basic insurance only covers hospital costs for treatments in hospitals listed in the canton of residence. If you wish to be treated in another canton, basic insurance only covers costs up to the amount that would have been incurred in your home canton. General hospital insurance closes this gap by covering the difference between the amount reimbursed by basic insurance and the actual cost, allowing you to choose a hospital outside your canton for a particular treatment.Semi-Private Hospital Insurance
Semi-private hospital plans primarily improve your accommodation. Instead of staying in the general ward, you would be accommodated (depending on the hospital’s facilities) in a two-bed room in the private ward. Usually, semi-private hospital insurance also includes the freedom to choose your doctor.Private Hospital Insurance
For those seeking even more luxury, private hospital insurance offers not only the freedom to choose your doctors but also the right to a single-room accommodation.Flexible Hospital Insurance
Flexible plans are becoming increasingly popular, as they don’t require you to commit to a specific model in advance. Instead, you decide on your accommodation and whether you want to choose your doctor right before your hospital stay. This allows you to save costs by opting for the general ward for simple routine procedures, while still having the security of private treatment for more significant procedures or extended hospital stays.
Private Accident Insurance
A special type of supplementary insurance is private accident insurance, which technically isn’t hospital insurance. However, it covers many medical treatment costs and is recommended for anyone without accident insurance through their employer. Depending on the plan, it provides comprehensive coverage for accidents outside of work, whereas basic insurance only offers minimal accident coverage.
Private Accident Insurance
A special type of supplementary insurance is private accident insurance, which technically isn’t hospital insurance. However, it covers many medical treatment costs and is recommended for anyone without accident insurance through their employer. Depending on the plan, it provides comprehensive coverage for accidents outside of work, whereas basic insurance only offers minimal accident coverage.