In this article
Key points
- An alternative insurance model (family doctor, HMO, Telmed) reduces your premium by 10 to 20%.
- A higher deductible lowers the premium but increases your share of costs: up to CHF 3,200 a year.
- Comparing insurers, excluding accident cover and paying in advance can save you even more.
- Supplementary insurance has no free transfer: a poorly handled cancellation can be costly.
In Switzerland, there are several ways to reduce the premium for compulsory health insurance (KVG/LAMal).
Insurance model, deductible, choice of insurer, accident cover, method of payment: here are the main levers, and the precautions to take so that you do not lose protection.
Choose an alternative insurance model
Insurers offer several models that lower the premium in exchange for following a defined care pathway:
Alternative models
Table 1| Model | How it works | Premium discount |
|---|---|---|
| Family doctor | Your family doctor is your first point of contact for all care | Up to 20% |
| HMO | A designated health centre coordinates all your care | 10 to 20% |
| Telmed | You call a medical helpline before any consultation | Around 10 to 15% |
Follow the model’s rules
Before choosing a model, check with your health insurer that your doctor or health centre has an agreement with it and is recognised. If you bypass the designated first point of contact:
- emergency treatment, needed in unforeseen and potentially serious situations, remains covered, even if you go straight to A&E;
- non-urgent treatment may not be reimbursed.
Increase your deductible
The deductible is the amount you pay yourself before the insurance takes over. The higher it is, the lower the premium. For adults, it ranges from CHF 300 to 2,500 (300, 500, 1,000, 1,500, 2,000 or 2,500). On top of this comes a 10% co-payment on costs, capped at CHF 700 a year.
Your maximum cost sharing per year
Table 2| Deductible | Maximum co-payment | Maximum cost sharing |
|---|---|---|
| CHF 300 | CHF 700 | CHF 1,000 |
| CHF 2,500 | CHF 700 | CHF 3,200 |
A high deductible can save a lot on your premium, but think carefully about whether you can cover higher medical costs yourself.
Compare insurers regularly
For the same cover, prices can vary considerably between insurers. The federal premium calculator Priminfo, available to everyone, shows the premiums of every insurer.
Exclude accident cover
If you are already insured against accidents through your employer (UVG/LAA, occupational and non-occupational accidents), you can exclude accident cover from your compulsory health insurance: the premium falls by around 7%.
Check whether you qualify for a premium reduction
Every canton grants premium reductions to people on low incomes or in financial difficulty. The conditions vary from canton to canton and depend on income and wealth.
Pay your premiums in advance
Some insurers offer a discount if you pay your premium in advance, every six months or once a year rather than monthly: a small saving over the year.
Save on medicines
Generics reduce the costs you pay yourself and help contain healthcare costs. They have no direct effect on your premium, but they have a positive influence on future premium trends.
Switch insurer without losing protection
We recommend entrusting the management of your policies to an expert, and combining basic insurance (KVG/LAMal) with supplementary insurance (VVG/LCA).
Contrary to popular belief, supplementary insurance is not superfluous: it is of fundamental importance.
Stefano Radaelli, Assidu
Basic insurance covers only 50% of transport costs, up to CHF 500 a year, and 50% of rescue costs, up to CHF 5,000. Abroad, in private or non-contracted hospitals, in countries without a bilateral agreement or outside the EU/EFTA, cover is often limited, or non-existent outside emergencies. Supplementary insurance covers the difference, often at very competitive prices.
Insurance and Pension Consultant · Social Insurance Specialist with Federal Diploma of Higher Education
