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| I do know how it works here in Ireland. But I wanted to explain you why and what is different to the health insurance in Switzerland.
First of all it is mandatory because the basic health insurance is not included in
IV, AHV, ALV (it is PRSI without basic health insurace)
IV Invaliden Versicherung (if you become disabled)
AHV Alters und Hinterlassenen Versicherung (state pension)
ALV Arbeitslosen Versicherung (if you get unemployed)
Pensionskasse (personal and company contributed pension)
I am basic insured here in Ireland by the company (PRSI) but am so stupid to listen to the Swiss Insurer that I also pay for a European Health Insurance which is more expensive than the VHI. | |
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You need to understand the difference between health
insurance and health
contribution!
You make a health
contribution with your PRSI, this is 2% of your PRSI goes to the HSE. For that you get access to the public health system. If you become ill you will get a public room in a hospital... if you need surgery you will be put on a waiting list unless it is immediately life threatening. You are covered for accident and emergency, but you will have to pay a 50Euro subsidy, and the same if you visit a GP... There is no claiming any of the money you pay back, but you may be able to offset it against tax (PAYE)!
This differs from health Insurance. You are quite wise to pay the extra for a European health insurance.. shoudl something happen to you it will get you past the waiting lists which have become notorious in Irish hospitals!
You are correct in Switzerland there is no contribution towards a public health system so everyone has to have private health insurance...
There is a subtle difference in what I am saying here... but in the end it won't matter to you since you have a private health insurance too... If you were relying on your PRSI Health contribution and you required hospital treatment you may not be so happy with things.
I believe you when you say that none of your colleagues have VHI, but believe me when I say this is
NOT the norm. The vast majority of people who do not qualify for a medical card take VHI. Those who have a medical card to not have to pay the 50 Euro GP visit fee etc...
Anyway the thread was about Irish people using their VHI in Switzerland... rather then Swiss people using the public health system in Ireland. Forgive me if I seem pushy... but you will notice the difference between insurance and contributions if you need to use the health service in Ireland.
Take it from someone who has been in an Irish hospital a few times!
