Admittedly, the 2019 premium for health insurance premiums of 1.5 percent was rather low compared to previous years (around 4.0 percent). But: Depending on the region, the 2019 surcharge is sometimes over three or four percent. The following cantons are examples:
- Law (3.7 %)
- Ticino (4.0 %)
- Neuchâtel (4.4 %)
- Valais (4.6 %)
The 2019 markings in brackets speak volumes. On the other hand, you were lucky as residents of the cantons of Uri or Appenzell Innerrhoden, where the inflation rate was only 0.3 and 0.2 percent, respectively.
Why are health insurance premiums rising now?
The question of why health insurance premiums are now rising steadily has not been answered. The cash registers themselves list different reasons. According to Helsana insurance, the rising costs are to blame. For example by:
- medical advances,
- technical progress,
- new (expensive) drugs,
- the progressive aging of society,
- the increasing life expectancy,
- rising claims of the insured.
The reasons are quite plausible. Because pure logic proves the explanations of Helsana. Every visit to the doctor, every medication taken, every operation increases the costs. We are therefore our own cost driver and pay the rising rising service costs with higher premiums. Sounds bad, but it's a fact.
Where do our health insurance premiums go?
What is interesting is what happens to our rewards. Say: where these flow. Helsana also reveals this quite conclusively - including numbers. According to this, the Swiss healthcare system cost a total of CHF 32.8 billion in 2016.
- CHF 31.5 billion was due for medical services
- The insured paid basic insurance of CHF 28.7 billion
- The insured paid CHF 4.3 billion for the franchise, deductible and share in hospital costs
The Helsana also used a small diagram to show where most of the money went. Namely in:
- Doctor visits (22%)
- Hospital stationary (21%)
- Outpatient hospital and medication (17% each)
- Others including laboratory and physio: 11%
- Nursing home and Spitex: 8%
- Operating costs: 4%
How you can lower your health insurance premiums
It seems extremely unlikely that the premiums will fall again sometime. On the contrary: The steady increase in recent years is likely to continue over the next few years. The question remains, how can you lower your health insurance premiums yourself? You can. In fact, you can even save up to CHF 1,000 a year. You will find some saving options right away. For example with
- an alternative till model
With the family doctor, telemedicine or HMO models you get a discount of up to 15 percent. Something comes together over the year.
With a higher deductible, the insurers usually grant you a cheaper premium. That quickly makes a few hundred francs a year.
If you work for the same employer for at least eight hours a week, they must have accident insurance. You can save the costs accordingly.
Here you can save with family discounts, a multi-year or collective contract (association). Hospital coverage also offers potential with a higher franchise.
How do insureds share in health costs?
With regard to the amount of the franchise costs, you as the policyholder can choose between franchise levels of around CHF 300 to CHF 2,500. As an insured person, you pay these costs out of your own pocket. In return, you have to pay a lower premium if you choose a higher franchise.
In addition, you contribute to the health costs of the policies through the deductible. Once you have reached the franchise of your choice, the deductible amounts to a maximum of CHF 700 per calendar year. From the age of 26 you have to expect an additional cost of CHF 15 per day for a hospital stay.
It's worth comparing! One Carry out a health insurance comparison and save over CHF 1,000!
