Health insurance

Everything about health insurance

When you live in Switzerland, you are required to take out health insurance. It covers part of your healthcare costs. How does LAMal work? How much does it cost? Do I also need supplementary health insurance? What are the specifics of health coverage for cross-border workers? Discover everything you need to know about health insurance in Switzerland.

Health insurance in Switzerland: what you need to know

In 1996, a federal law made enrolment in LAMal compulsory. In other words, anyone living in Switzerland is required to take out this health insurance.

How does health insurance work in Switzerland?

The goal of Swiss health insurance is to guarantee access to basic healthcare in the event of illness, maternity or accident. But it is neither centralised nor managed by the government. It is the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) that oversees how private insurers administer health coverage as part of their business.

You are free to choose the insurer with which you take out a health insurance contract. All family members must be insured, including children.

New Swiss residents have 3 months to choose their health insurer. After this deadline, the cantonal administration automatically assigns them a provider.

How much does it cost?

Health insurance premiums for 2024 vary depending on:

• • The policyholder's place of residence
• • Age
• • The chosen deductible (franchise)
• • The basic model
• • The selected benefits (for example, accident coverage)

Whatever these factors, the level of reimbursement is the same for everyone.

It is, however, possible to receive reductions on compulsory health insurance premiums, called subsidies. This assistance, paid by the canton, can cover all or part of the premiums.

How do you get compulsory health insurance?

All insured persons are free to choose the provider with which they wish to take out a health insurance contract. The insurer has no right to refuse an application. Nor is it permitted to ask a prospective policyholder to complete a health questionnaire when signing the contract.

Since each insurer can set the premium it wants, it's important to compare several proposals, taking into account:

• • The budget available for compulsory health insurance
• • Coverage needs
• • The canton of residence
• • The policyholder's age and family situation
• • The deductible (franchise)

Taking out supplementary health insurance

In addition to basic Swiss health insurance, it is advisable to take out supplementary health insurance.

Why take out supplementary health insurance?

Basic health insurance covers only a modest proportion of healthcare costs. As a result, it is recommended to supplement your coverage with a supplementary health contract.

• • Hospitalisation costs (double or private room)
• • Dental care
• • Optical care
• • Natural or alternative medicine services
• • Rescue services

Unlike basic health insurance, supplementary health insurance is not compulsory.

Everything you need to know about the Insurance Contract Act (LCA)

A closer look at cross-border workers' health insurance

Switzerland is home to a large number of cross-border workers. This is why two schemes have been put in place to provide health coverage for cross-border workers.

Can a cross-border worker benefit from LAMal?

Cross-border workers, whether they live in France and work in Switzerland or vice versa, are required to take out health insurance. They can choose between two options:

• • The CMU (based on the French health insurance system)
• • Cross-border LAMal (based on the Swiss system)

LAMal or CMU? How to choose?

Under the cross-border LAMal scheme, insured persons can receive care in both France and Switzerland. This is not the case with the cross-border CMU, which covers treatment in Switzerland only under certain conditions.

All health insurers

With the widest choice of health insurance offers, compare 2024 premiums for basic and supplementary insurance from more than 30 companies in just a few clicks.

Comparing health insurance: which criteria to use?