Medications are becoming increasingly complex, and new pharmaceuticals are hitting the market often at high price points. In Switzerland, the Federal Statistical Office estimates that 12% of all healthcare spending goes to medication alone. Expat Services Switzerland is here to inform expats to the country on how your medications, vaccinations, and check-ups are paid for.
Partially - in Switzerland, medication is managed by the system of pharmaceutical specialties. This government-approved list of medications is kept up to date on efficiency and pricing. Your basic health insurance will cover all medications on this list, provided you have met your annual deductible (which ranges from CHF 300 to CHF 2’500), and the medication is prescribed by your doctor. After meeting your deductible, you will still need to pay at least 10% of the medication’s cost (up to a max. limit of CHF 700 annually)
For example, if your yearly deductible is CHF 300 and you have already spent CHF 300 on other healthcare costs, and your doctor prescribes a medication costing CHF 600, you would pay 10% of the price – CHF 60.
Basic health insurance also covers medication from pharmacies if the ingredients are listed on the 'list of medicines with tariff'.
Some medications are not included on the list of specialties, and new drugs always take years to be approved by basic health insurance. Supplementary insurance packages can bridge this gap. To avoid financial constraints and ensure access to beneficial medication, consider a supplementary insurance solution.
Most providers cover 90% of the cost of prescriptions missing from the list of specialties, which is particularly useful for treatments in alternative and complementary medicine. In addition to medication, these insurance packages can provide coverage for glasses, gym memberships, treatments abroad, and more. Contact us for a personal consultation, where we’ll find the best supplementary insurance tailored to your needs.
Vaccinations deemed essential by the Federal Office of Public Health, such as those for measles, tetanus, or cervical cancer, are covered by basic health insurance. However, you will still need to pay a portion of the cost and meet your yearly deductible.
For other vaccinations, including those needed for travel abroad, supplementary insurance options usually cover several hundred francs per year.
Routine check-ups for healthy clients, such as visits to measure blood pressure and cholesterol levels, are not covered by basic health insurance. However, these check-ups can be included in supplementary insurance packages, often bundled with vaccination coverage.
If you would like to learn more about the coverage limits for basic and supplementary health insurance, contact us for a personal expert consultation.
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