The standard model of compulsory health insurance offers you unrestricted access to the doctors of your choice. You get to decide each time who you would like to have treat you.
With the standard model, you enjoy a free choice of doctor and direct access to specialists at all times.
The benefits are the same for all basic insurance models. With the BASIS model, we will reimburse you the following benefits after deduction of the statutory co-payment (deductible/excess/hospital cost contribution).
You enjoy free choice among all the hospitals in Switzerland that are included on the cantonal hospital lists (“listed hospitals”) but receive no more than the costs up to the rate of your canton of residence.
If you have opted for an alternative insurance model, you will only receive these benefits subject to the following conditions:
The Agreement on the free movement of persons (AFMP) ensures that you have access to the same public healthcare services (doctors, pharmacies, hospitals and ambulances) within EU/EFTA/UK as the residents of the respective country. In the event of a medical emergency, you will therefore receive costs equivalent to the social tariff in the country of temporary residence.
In all other countries, you receive the costs of outpatient and inpatient emergency treatment up to twice the amount that would be covered by basic insurance in Switzerland (tariff in your canton of residence).
Take your insurance card with you when you travel and always have it on you. The uniformly designed back of the card is valid as a European Health Insurance Card and is recognised within EU/EFTA/UK.
Overall, you receive 50% of the costs of planned transportation to a medical facility for medically necessary treatment, up to CHF 500 per calendar year.
You choose a recognised mode of transport, such as a Spitex vehicle, a wheelchair-accessible taxi, a disability vehicle or an ambulance.
You receive 50% of the costs of rescue operations in Switzerland, up to CHF 5,000 per calendar year.
You receive the costs of medically prescribed medication on the specialities list.
If several pharmaceuticals are listed with the same combination of active ingredients, the excess can amount to 40%.
You receive the costs according to the tariff of the recognised specialist for the whole of Switzerland for treatment by federally certified doctors, chiropractors and medical support staff, such as physiotherapists, occupational therapists, nurses, midwives, speech therapists, etc.
The treatment is prescribed by a doctor and listed in the benefits catalogue of the basic insurance.
You receive contributions towards the costs of the following types of complementary medicine:
The costs are reimbursed according to the tariff of the recognised specialist for the whole of Switzerland.
Your doctor holds a recognised certificate of competence awarded by the Swiss Medical Association (FMH) for these methods.
You receive the costs related to specific examinations for the early detection of illnesses and preventive measures that are prescribed or carried out by a doctor (e.g. isolated vaccinations).
The costs of a gynaecological check-up are covered for women every three years. The costs of mammograms are covered subject to certain conditions.
We would be happy to provide you with information on which examinations are covered by basic insurance in a phone call.
You receive the costs of medically prescribed aids and apparatus, such as crutches, blood glucose meters, inhalation/respiratory therapy equipment and compression stockings, up to the maximum amount specified by law.
The medical aids are listed in the aids and equipment list and obtained from an authorised provider.
You receive CHF 150 per calendar year for
or
For a home birth, you receive the costs in accordance with the applicable tariff or contract of the midwife.
If you have opted for an alternative insurance model, you will only receive these benefits subject to the following conditions:
You receive the costs of a stay in a general ward (multi-bed room), care and treatment in accordance with the standard rate in your canton of residence.
With care at home, the care specialist determines your expected care needs in terms of time required. We cover this cost based on the corresponding amount in Swiss francs specified by law. This is subject to the condition that Spitex (home nursing) is medically prescribed and that the chosen Spitex organisation or care specialist is qualified and recognised.
You receive the costs according to the applicable tariff for care services in a nursing home. The tariff is based on the level of care needed, as determined on your admission.
We cannot assume boarding costs (room and board at the nursing home) under basic insurance.
You receive CHF 10 per day for up to 21 days per calendar year for balneotherapy at recognised therapeutic spas in Switzerland.
Under the Swiss Health Insurance Act (KVG), health insurance is compulsory for anyone living in Switzerland. It provides basic medical care in the event of illness, accidents and maternity.
The scope of benefits it covers is regulated by law. This means you receive exactly the same benefits from every health insurer in Switzerland.
With the BASIS model, you keep all your options open:
And if you are unsure about whether you should consult a medical professional or not, the free Medi24 medical advice hotline is there to help. The team offers help with medical questions by telephone around the clock.
You can take out this insurance if you meet the following conditions:
or
Every Swiss health insurer is obliged to accept applicants, irrespective of age and personal state of health, without reservations.
You can terminate the insurance on 31 December of each year and switch to another health insurance company in Switzerland, provided that you have no outstanding premium invoices. There is a one-month notice period. Notice of termination must reach us by no later than the last working day in November.
If you have taken out a BASIS policy with the statutory minimum deductible of CHF 300 (and without a deductible for children), you have the additional option of terminating it on 30 June, provided that you have no overdue premiums. The notice period for termination is three months. Notice of termination must reach us by no later than the last working day in March.
Adults aged 18 and over can either select the statutory minimum deductible of CHF 300 or one of five optional deductibles between CHF 500 and CHF 2,500. The higher your deductible, the lower your basic insurance premium.
There is no deductible for children. However, by choosing the optional deductible of CHF 500 for them, you can save on their premium too.
Details about annual deductible
Still not sure which deductible would be best for you? We would be happy to help. Call us on 0844 80 81 82.
For cross-border commuters from EU/EFTA countries, the statutory annual deductible for adults is also CHF 300 a year and there is no annual deductible for children up to the age of 18. However, cross-border commuters cannot be offered optional deductibles, i.e. they cannot opt for a higher deductible in return for a reduction in premium.
You can increase or decrease your deductible on 1 January of the following calendar year. The following deadlines apply:
Please note that notification of change must reach us by no later than the last working day before the respective date.
Cross-border commuters from EU/EFTA countries cannot be offered optional deductibles, i.e. they cannot opt for a higher deductible in return for a reduction in premium.
Those whose income and assets justify financial support are entitled to a premium reduction (PR). The premium reduction differs from canton to canton. It is therefore worth asking the competent office in your canton of residence whether you are entitled to financial support for your health insurance.
There are several ways of saving on your premium for basic insurance.
If you work at least eight hours a week for the same company or receive an unemployment benefit, you are automatically insured against both occupational and non-occupational accidents. In this case, you can exclude accident coverage from your basic insurance with effect from the following month. This will save you 7% on your monthly premium.
Just send us a written notification – the quickest way to do so is on myHelsana.
Employees who have reached the retirement age of 64 or 65 and continue to work should also send us proof of accident coverage from the company they work for.
Take up accident coverage again as soon as your employment contract ends – for example, if you are travelling for a longer period of time, taking unpaid leave or retiring.
Helsana offers basic insurance as a standard version as well as four alternative models. The benefits are the same for all models.
We're here to help.