Basic and supplementary insurance: what is the difference?

Basic insurance is mandatory for all persons resident in Switzerland. The benefits are laid down in the KVG and identical at all health insurers. There is a duty of acceptance.Supplementary insurance is voluntary, governed by the Insurance Contract Act (VVG) and extends basic insurance with comfort and additional benefits. Providers may reject applications or set a reservation. The differences between basic and supplementary insurance concern benefits, acceptance and termination.

Which supplementary insurance types are offered?

There are two categories. Outpatient supplementary insurance covers outpatient treatments : Glasses and contact lenses, alternative medicine, treatments abroad, fitness subscriptions and prevention. Hospital supplementary insurance raises comfort during a hospital stay and enables a free choice of hospital and doctor.

Which hospital supplementary insurance is worth it?

The Hospital supplementary insurance comes in three variants. semi-private offers a twin room and usually senior-physician treatment. Private offers a single room and chief-physician treatment. Flex chooses the ward only on hospital admission at lower premiums. Basic insurance covers only the general ward in the canton of residence.

What does dental supplementary insurance cover?

A dental supplementary insurance covers a share of the costs for dental treatments, dental hygiene and orthodontics. Particularly relevant for families with children: dental braces and orthodontic treatments quickly cost several thousand francs, so a suitable coverage for dental braces can be worthwhile. On signing, the health insurer checks the dental status.

What does health insurance pay for alternative medicine?

Basic insurance covers a share of alternative medicine: acupuncture, classical homeopathy, anthroposophic medicine, phytotherapy and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), when the treatment is performed by a certified doctor. Therapies by non-medical therapists such as osteopathy, craniosacral therapy or medical massage are only covered via outpatient supplementary insurance.

Do I need a health assessment?

Yes. Before signing a supplementary insurance, the health insurer requires a health assessment with a health questionnaire. Providers may reject applications or attach a Reservation . A pre-existing condition does not necessarily lead to a rejection. Anyone planning a treatment should sign up for supplementary insurance before the diagnosis.

What does supplementary insurance cost?

Costs depend on age, place of residence, state of health and the chosen coverage. An outpatient supplementary insurance often costs between CHF 20 and CHF 60 per month. A Hospital supplementary insurance lies between CHF 30 and CHF 300 per month, depending on the chosen variant (Flex, semi-private or private). Children pay markedly lower premiums. Your personal offer shows the premiums for your situation.

Which supplementary insurance do I need?

Which supplementary insurance makes sense depends on life situation, state of health and priorities. Singles with a need for comfort often choose hospital supplementary insurance semi-private. Families benefit from a dental supplementary insurance for children. Anyone using alternative medicine or needing psychotherapy chooses an outpatient supplementary insurance. For travel a travel insurance is sensible.

Can I take out basic and supplementary insurance with different health insurers?

Yes. With splitting , administration costs may arise and you lose family or collective discounts. You can switch basic insurance annually without problems, without losing the supplementary insurance. Basic insurance remains identical at all providers under the KVG, while in supplementary insurance benefits and premiums differ.

What do I have to consider on termination and switching?

When switching supplementary insurance , three risks stand out. First, a new waiting period of typically 3 to 24 months starts at the new provider, during which benefits are not reimbursed. Second, the new insurer can set reservations for existing diagnoses. Third, combination discounts such as family or collective discounts no longer apply when basic and supplementary insurance are separated. Only terminate the old policy after written acceptance confirmation. Ordinary notice period usually until 30 September.

What has changed in psychotherapy since the prescription model 2022?

Since 1 July 2022 the prescription model for Psychotherapyhas been in force in Switzerland. Basic insurance covers sessions with federally recognised psychologists, provided they are medically prescribed. Previously, patients had to take the detour via delegated practices.A psychotherapy supplementary insurance is worthwhile when you seek a therapy place without a medical prescription, want to top up the number of covered sessions or use a non-recognised therapy form such as art or body therapy. The cost coverage is usually capped per session or per year.

Which preventive and check-up benefits does supplementary insurance cover?

Supplementary insurance for prevention covers preventive examinations, check-ups, vaccinations, travel vaccinations, smoking cessation programmes as well as contributions to nutritional counselling. Typical benefits are the annual gynaecological examination between the triennial mandatory appointments of basic insurance, skin cancer screening and mammography screening before age 50.Auxiliaries such as bandages, inhalers or crutches as well as contributions to home nursing and household help are also taken over by some supplementary insurance options in addition to basic insurance. The amount of coverage varies by provider and is usually capped per year.

Was zahlt die Zusatzversicherung für nicht-kassenpflichtige Medikamente?

Basic insurance only covers medications on the FOPH specialty list or the drug list with tariff. Non-mandatory medications, so-called lifestyle preparations, are excluded. Supplementary insurance partly reimburses medications outside the specialty list, provided they are medically prescribed and approved by Swissmedic.Complementary-medical preparations and alternative remedies are also partly taken over by some supplements. Reimbursement is usually capped at 50 to 90 percent of costs and an annual maximum amount. For chronic conditions, comparing medication coverage particularly pays off.

Which search, rescue and recovery costs are covered via supplementary insurance?

Basic insurance bears 50 percent of the medically necessary transport and rescue costs, up to 500 or 5,000 francs per year. For mountain rescue, helicopter operation or medical repatriation from abroad, these contributions usually do not suffice.A supplementary insurance for search and rescue operations covers higher contributions, often up to 100,000 francs per event. Anyone active in the mountains additionally takes out travel and abroad coverage . For holidays outside Europe this is often a must, since basic insurance pays at most twice what it would pay in the canton of residence.

What does «general ward all of Switzerland» mean in hospital insurance?

The supplementary insurance «general ward all of Switzerland» permits inpatient treatment at any Swiss listed hospital outside your canton of residence. Basic insurance covers out-of-canton treatment only when the hospital is on the cantonal hospital list of your canton of residence or there is an emergency.If you live in a canton with low hospital tariffs, this supplement closes tariff differences and gives you access to the full network of Swiss listed hospitals. Anyone seeking higher comfort combines this supplement with semi-private or private insurance «all of Switzerland».

Compare supplementary insurance 2027

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Compare supplementary insurance with Compando: how it works

The basic insurance comparison is based on the premiums of all Swiss health insurers approved by the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) in the mandatory health insurance (OKP). After your entries you see how much you can save per year with each insurance model and request your personal offer.

The supplementary insurance comparison follows a needs-based approach. You enter your needs: hospital supplement, outpatient benefits, dental treatments, vision aids, psychotherapy and other areas. Compando then prepares a personal offer tailored to your profile and the benefits you have chosen.

Unlike basic insurance , supplementary insurance is governed by the Insurance Contract Act (VVG). Providers check pre-existing conditions, can set reservations or reject the application. Acceptance conditions differ by insurer and product.

The comparison data is regularly checked and updated.

Important info on supplementary insurance

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Termination letter for supplementary insurance→

When do I need a supplementary insurance?

Supplementary insurance sensibly complements basic insurance: it increases your comfort and closes possible coverage gaps.
This gives you additional security beyond the statutory benefits.

The benefits of supplementary insurance differ by provider and benefit package. Health insurers may set premiums according to risk: factors such as age and gender also flow into the premium level.

Health insurers may additionally apply reservations to the applicant or reject the application after a health assessment.

The two main categories outpatient supplementary insurance and hospital supplementary insurance cover different needs.

Which supplementary insurance types exist?

Dental supplementary insurance

Hospital supplementary insurance

Fitness and nutrition

Complementary medicine

Glasses insurance

Eye laser surgery

Psychotherapy

Travel insurance

Outpatient treatment

Rescue and transport

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Compare supplementary insurance 2027

Compare in a targeted way

Save easily

Sign up effortlessly

Find the right supplementary insurance in three steps

Enter your data

Compare

Request an offer

The health insurers in our comparison

Compare supplementary insurance with Compando: how it works

Important info on supplementary insurance

Which supplementary insurance makes sense in Switzerland?

Terminate and switch supplementary insurance: guide and deadlines

Take out supplementary insurance: what to watch for

Termination letter for supplementary insurance→

When do I need a supplementary insurance?

Which supplementary insurance types exist?

Dental supplementary insurance

Hospital supplementary insurance

Fitness and nutrition

Complementary medicine

Glasses insurance

Eye laser surgery

Psychotherapy

Travel insurance

Outpatient treatment

Rescue and transport

Supplementary insurance guide

Which Supplementary Insurance Makes Sense in Switzerland?

Take Out Supplementary Insurance: What You Should Note

Health Questionnaire for Supplementary Insurance: What You Have to Declare

Policy Restriction at the Insurer: Definition, Examples and Duration

Supplementary Insurance Denied: Reasons and Options

Waiting Period in Insurance: Waiting Times and Exceptions

Supplementary Insurance Pregnancy: Benefits and Waiting Period at a Glance

Coverage of supplementary insurance

Dental Supplementary Insurance: What Does It Cover?

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Supplementary insurance: important questions and answers

Basic and supplementary insurance: what is the difference?

Which supplementary insurance types are offered?

Which hospital supplementary insurance is worth it?

What does dental supplementary insurance cover?

What does health insurance pay for alternative medicine?

Do I need a health assessment?

What does supplementary insurance cost?

Which supplementary insurance do I need?

Can I take out basic and supplementary insurance with different health insurers?

What do I have to consider on termination and switching?

What has changed in psychotherapy since the prescription model 2022?

Which preventive and check-up benefits does supplementary insurance cover?

Was zahlt die Zusatzversicherung für nicht-kassenpflichtige Medikamente?

Which search, rescue and recovery costs are covered via supplementary insurance?

What does «general ward all of Switzerland» mean in hospital insurance?

What Our Customers Say