Moving home and your health insurance: What you should know

Moving requires organisation: packing boxes, taking furniture to your new home, labelling your letterbox – and notifying your health insurance company of your new address. After all, your insurance conditions may change if you move home. We explain what you need to know now.

You should always inform your health insurance company after you move home. You can either do this directly in the myHelsana app or give us a call. Alternatively, visit a sales office located near you.

Important: If you have not yet notified your health insurance company of your move, you should do so as soon as possible. Otherwise, you may pay too high or too low a premium. In this case, the health insurance company will reimburse you for the money or ask you to pay an additional amount. 

Do I have to change health insurance company if I move abroad?

Moving abroad will affect your insurance situation. You should therefore notify your health insurance company of your move in good time. The changes to your health insurance depend on your destination country:

Moving within the EU, EFTA or UK:

• As a pensioner, you remain insured in Switzerland if you only draw a pension from Switzerland.
• If you also receive a pension from abroad, the obligation to be insured in the country in question often applies.
• If you are working abroad, you are usually covered by a local health insurance company when you move.
• In some countries neighbouring Switzerland, you can choose voluntarily between Swiss basic insurance and a local insurer (right to insurance options).
  

Moving to a country outside the EU, EFTA or UK:

• In countries outside these zones, the insurance obligation in the country you are in applies.
• If you remain resident in Switzerland, you can request to keep your Swiss insurance. This makes sense if the healthcare system in your destination country is not as good as the one in Switzerland.
  

Does health insurance change when a child moves to a new home?

If you are insured under an insurance contract (family policy) with your parents, this ends when you move out of home and are liable for tax. From this point onwards, the amount of the premium depends on where you live.

Does moving into a nursing home affect your health insurance?

Admission to a retirement or nursing home constitutes a change of residence under civil law. Please notify your health insurance company of your new address immediately. The premium after moving depends on the premium region in which your home is located. Ideally, you should clarify in advance which premium will apply afterwards. This will help you avoid unexpected costs.

The amount of your premium depends on your place of residence within Switzerland. The decisive factor is the place in which you are liable for tax. The Federal Department of Home Affairs (FDHA) determines the premium differences between the individual regions. Some cantons have two or three premium regions. These include Fribourg, Schaffhausen, Bern and Lucerne.

Why might you pay different premiums after moving home? Health insurance companies determine their premiums based on various factors. These include, for example, the population structure within the region and the costs of medical services locally.

By the way, you can find a premium calculator on our website. This allows you to keep an overview of your costs.

Are you paying higher health insurance premiums after your move? If so, there are a number of ways to reduce your costs:

• Increase deductible: a higher co-payment reduces your monthly premium. For example, if you choose a deductible of CHF 1500 instead of CHF 300, you will receive a maximum discount of 30%.
• Change health insurer: your premium may go up if you move home. If you would therefore like to change your health insurance company after you move home, the usual notice periods apply. This means that you must cancel your basic insurance at the end of the year.
• Check your premium reduction: the Federal Health Insurance Act (KVG) relieves the burden on people on low incomes. If this affects you, you may receive what is known as a premium reduction after your move. The canton in which you live will contribute to your health insurance premiums. It is best to visit your canton’s website to find out about this way to save on your premiums.
• Apply for supplementary benefits: if your income is not sufficient for day-to-day living needs, social insurance will step in. This covers your deductible and excess, among other things.

Moving home brings change – including for your health insurance company. Notify us of your new address in good time, label your letterbox and find out about your premiums. If necessary, check how you can save costs with a deductible or premium reduction. If you are unsure, contact your health insurance company. That way, you will be well insured for the new phase of your life after your move.