Swiss health insurance: how to choose a Krankenkasse

Supplementary insurance is a separate private contract. The provider may ask health questions, exclude conditions or reject the application. Do not cancel existing supplementary cover until a new provider has accepted you in writing.

3. Compare like with like in Priminfo

The official Priminfo 2026 calculator compares premiums by residence, age category, deductible, model and accident setting. A national average or another person's quote is not your premium; the same insurer can price a different municipality, age group or model differently.

1. Enter the actual Swiss residence and the insured person's age.

2. Compare every insurer with the same deductible and accident setting.

3. Check whether the chosen HMO, GP or Telmed model is available locally.

4. Confirm the final rules in the insurer's written offer.

4. Treat deductible and retention fee as an annual risk

Under the FOPH cost-sharing rules, the standard deductible is CHF 300 for adults and CHF 0 for children. Adults may choose CHF 500, 1,000, 1,500, 2,000 or 2,500. A higher deductible can reduce premiums, but the household must be able to pay it if care is needed.

After the deductible, adults normally pay a 10% retention fee capped at CHF 700 per year. A CHF 2,500 deductible therefore creates up to CHF 3,200 of deductible and ordinary retention-fee exposure in addition to premiums; a hospital contribution can be separate. Base the choice on expected treatment, medicines and available cash, not on an assumption that you will remain healthy.

The official optional-deductible rules allow a deductible change only from the beginning of a calendar year, and an insurer does not have to offer every level.

5. Standard, GP, HMO or Telmed

The model controls the first point of care. A GP model usually starts with the named doctor, an HMO model with the HMO centre and Telmed with the specified advice channel. Read the contract and exceptions before signing, as recommended in the FOPH restricted-provider guidance. Using the wrong care route may affect reimbursement.

6. Set accident cover correctly

Someone working at least eight hours a week for one Swiss employer is generally insured for occupational and non-occupational accidents under the Accident Insurance Act. The FOPH procedure allows accident cover in the health policy to be suspended by written request with evidence of that cover. Recheck it after employment ends or weekly hours fall below eight.

7. Premium reductions are cantonal

Households in modest financial circumstances may qualify for an individual premium reduction. The Priminfo list of cantonal offices identifies the competent authority. Some cantons assess automatically while others require an application with their own deadline. Do not copy an income threshold or deadline from another canton.

8. Switching insurer and notifying Hungary

For a change on 1 January, the cancellation must reach the current insurer by 30 November under the current FOPH switching guidance. Apply to the new insurer at the same time. Existing cover ends only after the new insurer confirms enrolment, and overdue premiums can block a change.

A Hungarian TAJ holder must separately report the start or end of Swiss insurance to NEAK. The NEAK guidance describes a 15-day notification period and a dedicated form. A Swiss policy does not update the Hungarian register automatically.

Common mistakes

• Treating the three months as free insurance.

• Combining basic and supplementary cover into one decision.

• Comparing only the monthly premium instead of annual risk and model rules.

• Choosing a high deductible without enough cash reserve.

• Failing to revisit accident cover after an employment change.

• Using another canton's premium-reduction deadline or income rule.

• Posting cancellation on 30 November even though receipt by that date matters.

Last factual review: 4 August 2026. Verify premiums in the current Priminfo calculator and cantonal support with the competent office for the place of residence.