I am moving to Zurich sometime in the next couple weeks, but my husband is in the middle of the process to get back surgery (either a disc replacement or fusing two vertabrae)...just not sure if it's worth him staying back for an extra month or two to have it done in Canada or if we will be fine to do it there? I'm at a bit of a loss as to how the health insurance works over there for surgeries even after looking through a number of forums so thought while I keep looking, perhaps I might get lucky and someone here will have some insider advice

thanks!

I just had a disc replacement (and fusing) done about five months ago. I have only basic health insurance and had it done in the Zollikerberg hospital in Zurich. I shared a room with one other person and the surgeon who did the operation was fantastic.

I have had intensive physio since then as well as a few follow up appointments with the surgeon, including x-rays, to check my progress. If your husband stays in Canada to have the operation he'll have to consider whether or not he also wants the post-operative physio etc done there, too under the supervision of the surgeon who would do the operation.

On the other hand, if Canada is anything like Australia where I'm originally from, maybe that's not an issue and you just see whoever is free at the time.

As for the insurance side of things, I would contact a few insurance companies or insurance brokers and ask specific questions to find out exactly how your husband would be covered, the costs and whether there would be a waiting time. I know in my case I wouldn't have wanted to wait any longer than I had to to get it done as it hurt too much!

Kate

I'm sorry your husband is in such pain. May I ask where he is scheduled to have the surgery in Vancouver?

I'm also from Vancouver and arrived here in July. I haven't had surgery here but have had it in Vancouver. I do have regular hospital treatments here so I might be able to offer some insight. Does your husband speak German? That's an important consideration for a patient and while many doctors here do speak english, many of the nurses and staff here don't speak as fluently as one would like. Or perhaps I should say I haven't learned enough German yet to tell them what I need in order to get the appropriate care.

They do do things differently here and that is not to say that one country is better than the other but they do have different protocols.

One should also consider the healing time that is required following a surgery, if the patient is stressed because of new and foreign circumstances it could be detrimental to that process.

Insurance wise you will need to buy the health insurance here and disclose the pre-existing condition. It is much more expensive that BC MSP monthly premiums but then we don't have huge surgery waiting lists either nor will you have the same huge tax burden.

You are welcome to PM me if you think I could be of assistance. Good luck what ever you both decide.

I would check out if your health insurance would actually pay for surgery already recommended in another country as there may be problems with a pre-existing condition clause, never mind cancelling treatment to transfer it here.

Kate - do you mind sharing what insurer you are with? It's a bit confusing with all the options as to what companies to talk to specifically, and it sounds like you have had a similar procedure to what he will need, so definitely want to check with that company! Also, was it a pre-existing condition for you or did you hurt your back only since moving to Switzerland? I'm assuming that may make a difference with some companies...

For basic health insurance (Grundversicherung) pre-existing conditions do not matter. Health insurers cannot deny coverage or charge higher premiums.

It is only for additional insurance (Zusatzversicherung) where you will need to disclose pre-existing conditions.