Healthcare in Switzerland
The standard of healthcare in Switzerland is excellent, and most locals and foreigners are satisfied with the level of treatment and access. Similar to most European nations, the Swiss system is a universal one, though it affords its population 
healthcare in a manner that even those opposed to socialist safety nets can support.
The Alpine nation makes private health insurance, not government (like in the UK) nor employer-sponsored insurance (like in the US), compulsory for all those living in the country. It follows that the 100-odd insurance providers within Switzerland are not legally allowed to refuse anyone coverage, not even non-residents or those with a history of chronic illness.
Waiting times are virtually non-existent, and expats have the freedom to choose where and by whom they'd like to be treated. Doctors routinely speak English, but in the more rural areas proficiency among health professionals will vary.
While in Switzerland, expats can count on receiving world-class treatment, but they can also count on shouldering the high costs of monthly premiums, co-pays and deductibles.
Expats need to organise health insurance within three months of residing in Switzerland, and must do so on their own, separate of their employer. This may be a task foreign to many people, so it's important expats unfamiliar with the process prepare and research accordingly.
Each year the government establishes which treatments are covered under a basic health insurance package. All insurance providers are then obliged to offer this package to clients. The package is largely comprehensive, and includes nearly all of the costs of medical treatment and hospitalisation. Dentistry is not included in the package, and “supplementary” costs, like semi-private and private hospital rooms, are also not included.
Health insurance providers offer separate packages to cover the latter two costs, and nearly half of the Swiss population opts to purchase these extras. Prescription drugs are covered in the basic package, but patients are often required to pay a small, additional co-pay for name-brand products.
The cost of insurance premiums is not based on income, but is rather based on community areas within cantons, and can vary immensely. There can be as much as a 50 percent difference between the costs of the same package between cantons, as premiums are directly related to the overall health costs of the population in each canton. The French and Italian speaking parts of Switzerland usually incur the highest premium costs.
Expats should be aware that health insurance will need to be arranged separately for all family members.
CSS is the largest health insurance provider in Switzerland.
In 2010 the average annual health insurance cost for an individual in Switzerland was just over 4200 CHF.
In cases where the monthly insurance premium is equal to 8 percent of an expat's income, the government will offer cash subsidies to help cover the high costs. Children and young adults are also granted reduced premiums.
Additionally, each package has a variety of models available. By choosing a model in which you select a specific general practitioner, or a model in which you notify the health insurance company prior to treatment, you can obtain discounts.
healthcare in a manner that even those opposed to socialist safety nets can support.The Alpine nation makes private health insurance, not government (like in the UK) nor employer-sponsored insurance (like in the US), compulsory for all those living in the country. It follows that the 100-odd insurance providers within Switzerland are not legally allowed to refuse anyone coverage, not even non-residents or those with a history of chronic illness.
Waiting times are virtually non-existent, and expats have the freedom to choose where and by whom they'd like to be treated. Doctors routinely speak English, but in the more rural areas proficiency among health professionals will vary.
While in Switzerland, expats can count on receiving world-class treatment, but they can also count on shouldering the high costs of monthly premiums, co-pays and deductibles.
Health insurance in Switzerland
Expats need to organise health insurance within three months of residing in Switzerland, and must do so on their own, separate of their employer. This may be a task foreign to many people, so it's important expats unfamiliar with the process prepare and research accordingly.
Each year the government establishes which treatments are covered under a basic health insurance package. All insurance providers are then obliged to offer this package to clients. The package is largely comprehensive, and includes nearly all of the costs of medical treatment and hospitalisation. Dentistry is not included in the package, and “supplementary” costs, like semi-private and private hospital rooms, are also not included.
Health insurance providers offer separate packages to cover the latter two costs, and nearly half of the Swiss population opts to purchase these extras. Prescription drugs are covered in the basic package, but patients are often required to pay a small, additional co-pay for name-brand products.
The cost of insurance premiums is not based on income, but is rather based on community areas within cantons, and can vary immensely. There can be as much as a 50 percent difference between the costs of the same package between cantons, as premiums are directly related to the overall health costs of the population in each canton. The French and Italian speaking parts of Switzerland usually incur the highest premium costs.
Expats should be aware that health insurance will need to be arranged separately for all family members.
CSS is the largest health insurance provider in Switzerland.
Cost of health insurance in Switzerland
In 2010 the average annual health insurance cost for an individual in Switzerland was just over 4200 CHF.
In cases where the monthly insurance premium is equal to 8 percent of an expat's income, the government will offer cash subsidies to help cover the high costs. Children and young adults are also granted reduced premiums.
Additionally, each package has a variety of models available. By choosing a model in which you select a specific general practitioner, or a model in which you notify the health insurance company prior to treatment, you can obtain discounts.
