Switzerland is renowned for its efficiency and high level of life, so it should come as no surprise that its healthcare system is among the finest globally. Each canton of the Swiss confederation runs this system, a seamless solution that brings the public and private sectors together.
In terms of a wide range of measures, the health system performs admirably. After Iceland, Switzerland has the most incredible life expectancy in Europe (82.8 years), and healthy life expectancy is several years higher than the European Union (EU) average.
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Healthcare system in Switzerland
There is no such thing as free healthcare in Switzerland, and all citizens must have individual health insurance.
The Swiss Federal Health Insurance Act specifies the advantages of health insurance, generally known as obligatory basic insurance. As a result, under basic insurance, all Swiss health insurers give the same benefits.
Because taxes or employers do not fund it, the Swiss public healthcare system is unique. Residents are required to obtain essential health and accident insurance, and they can select coverage from a variety of insurers. The majority of standard medical procedures, including maternity and accidents, are covered under this essential coverage.
The majority of healthcare providers in Switzerland are private businesses with internationally recognized standards. Expats in Switzerland will have access to high-quality healthcare thanks to basic health insurance coverage, although not all medical conditions will be covered.
Doctors and hospitals are expensive in Switzerland, but medication is also among the most expensive in Europe. Only about a third of the drugs that have been approved for sale are accessible on prescription. Your health insurance should cover these, but you will be responsible for any deductibles. Non-prescription drugs aren’t covered by insurance, so stock up on pain relievers, cold treatments, and other goods you’ll need before traveling.
Simplest approach
The simplest way to save on basic insurance is by splitting, which is where the insured decide to separate their basic and supplementary insurance.
In Switzerland, basic health insurance policies all offer the same benefit, as this is defined in the Health Insurance Act (HIA). Despite this, premiums can vary significantly between the various insurers. By switching to a different insurer, an individual can save up to CHF 500 a year, while a family can save as much as CHF 2,000. This is why it is worthwhile to regularly compare health insurance premiums [compare health insurance in Italian] and choose mandatory health insurance with the best-value rates.
The healthcare system performs brilliantly across a wide variety of metrics. Switzerland, after Iceland, has Europe’s highest life expectancy (82.8 years), and healthy life expectancy is several years higher than the European Union (EU) average.
Policyholders in HMOs are compelled to consult with a specific HMO practice. This option has two drawbacks: a restricted number of doctors and the necessity for a referral to visit a specialist.
However, compared to traditional insurance, the benefit is a premium savings of up to 25%.
Deductibles in Switzerland
The deductible is the amount you must pay each year before your health insurance will cover a portion of your medical bills (visits to the doctor, medicines, laboratory tests, hospitalization, etc.) If you set a CHF 500 deductible, for example, your health insurance will cover the difference once you’ve claimed benefits worth more than CHF 500.
You can save money by picking a high deductible, but keep in mind that if you see the doctor and receive a large bill, you must be able to pay the deductible in full. As a result, the deductible is a risk amount.
Benefits of the system
For patients, the system’s benefits are apparent: assured coverage, high-quality care, and patient choice, with no financial worries in the event of a catastrophic sickness, accident, or chronic disease. Co-payments, on the other hand, help to minimize overuse. The risk equalization system (which is scheduled for modification to include an indicator of health state) serves to maintain a lid on risk-picking, and the government also takes some steps to keep costs down.
In the event of an emergency, the cost of medical care outside of Switzerland is covered up to double the amount reimbursed in Switzerland. Due to a social security agreement between Germany and Switzerland, insurance claims for those who are not nationals of an EU or EFTA member country are also covered in the event of an emergency while in Germany
