There are no family insurance schemes in Switzerland
Around 90 health insurers are located across the country, from which policyholders can choose their favorite insurance company.
The range of services offered by individual health insurance companies is no different. But if you want to upgrade the basic package by taking out additional insurance, you should take a close look at individual offers.
In line with the German system of private health insurance, policyholders pay non-income-related head premiums, which however vary from canton to canton and from health insurance to health insurance. However, in contrast to the German health insurance system, there are no family insurance schemes in Switzerland.
Reduced contribution rates for children and adolescents
Children and adolescents up to the age of 18 still have an advantage. In Switzerland, reduced contribution rates apply to certain groups of people. The following policyholders benefit from these regulations
- children
- youth
- young adults
- Low income people
A sample calculation provides information
A breakdown of the costs required for health insurance in Switzerland may seem confusing at first. But a look at the details reveals that this composition is still clearly subdivided.
In general, insured people usually have to pay part of the treatment costs. The general contributions for health insurance are comparatively low. However, the cost contribution is also added to these costs, which in turn is calculated from a deductible of the invoice amount of 10 percent and the ordinary franchise.
This model can be quickly explained using this calculation example.
There is no proper franchise for children and young people
In this example, policyholders have to pay a monthly contribution of 250 euros for the health insurance. The annual franchise is added to this, which in this example is CHF 300 per year for adults.
This is where family-friendly Swiss politics comes into play. Because children and adolescents up to the age of 18 do not have to pay a regular franchise in Switzerland. This is offset by the deductible, which amounts to ten percent of the annual treatment costs.
If treatment costs totaling CHF 2,000 have been incurred in the course of a year, the sum of the ordinary franchise is subtracted from the invoice amount. In addition, 10 percent of the deductible of the remaining 1,700 francs will be charged by the health insurance company.
Based on this, a policyholder would only pay CHF 470 of the entire treatment fee, plus the monthly health insurance contributions. Accordingly, the maximum deductible is CHF 700 per year.
For children and adolescents up to the age of 18, the share is reduced to CHF 350. If you want, you can also increase the proportion of the ordinary franchise in order to minimize the deductible if necessary.
Financial benefits for younger people
This example illustrates that there is no family insurance in Switzerland like in Germany. Nevertheless, children, adolescents and young adults benefit from some advantages that the Swiss health system offers them.
Are there options for free health insurance membership? These options do not exist in Switzerland. Nevertheless, younger people are comparatively little asked to pay.
How children and young people join the health insurance system
Children up to the age of 18 are automatically covered by basic insurance after their birth. After the birth of a child, parents are obliged to register the newborn with a health insurance company no later than three months after the birth.
When deciding for or against health insurance, potential policyholders are free to choose. The benefits of this basic insurance for children, adolescents and adults in the basic insurance are identical for all health insurance companies.
However, the amount of the premiums differs significantly from provider to provider. If in doubt, it is advisable to compare offers from different providers online.
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