Hi, What a helpful website this is...thank you!

This is my first post on the forum but I have been using it frequently to familiarize myself with the changes that will occur once we relocate to Switzerland from Northeast, USA in August, 2011.

Can someone update me on the current specifics relating to diabetes coverage.

Several have posted early in their process & I would like to get as much detail as possible once they have been in the system for a while as well as what I should do prior to arriving.

I have (3) Type-1 diabetics in our immediate family. My husband - 44, my 2 sons - 13 & 10. All using an insulin pump -- 1 using the JNJ Animas PING Pump and the other 2 using Medtronic.

So, as you can imagine, the cost of our medical is always high but I want to get specifics for Switzerland.

Not sure if it matters where we will be living, but right now we are focusing our housing search in Thalwil, Ruschlikon and the immediate areas.

Specifically, would like to know:

• Insurance Coverage - does it matter which insurance we use
• What specifically is covered and is it all at 90% (i.e. test strips, insulin, pump supplies, glucagon, ketone strips, syringes etc).
• How much are the cost of the above (so I can determine the amount we will need to pay)
• Any recommendations for pediatric & adult endocrinologists (we will want to keep a specialist for their diabetes).
• Hospital coverage (hopefully not needed).
• Retinologist recommendation (if needed)
• Does insurance cover all doctor visits (we currently see the specialist every 3 months, which includes blood work)
• Testing Meters - do they need to be changed for Switzerland
• Any specific requirements as it relates to the children in the school systems (we are hoping to get the kids in ZIS)
• Podiatrist recommendation (if needed)

Any insight you can provide would be much appreciated.

Thanks!!!