In August I had an operation to remove a part of my intestine. Unfortunately I ended up having a few complications which led to me having to have a temporary colostomy. In order for the colostomy to be reversed I will need a further operation but I cannot have this operation until the wound from the surgery in August has healed. At the moment I still don't know when the reversal operation will take place as the wound is still open and will take at least another 2-4 weeks to heal.

I have already paid my franchise (1500chf) and retention (700chf) for this year and I need to know if an operation is to take place in 2008 will I need to pay for my franchise and retention again or would it be classed as part of an on-going treatment from 2007? I've looked on this site and a few others (comparis, ch.ch) and found no info about my question.

Cheers.

What did your insurance provider say?

If i knew the answer I wouldn't have posted!!! Cheers anyway.

Well if you are having a major operation like this and theres going to be a repeat of the same, its better to talk to your insurance...

You are pretty much in their hands...

If they are not reasonable, then you can come back and post your queries about what your rights are...

Hi Psyk,

Thanks for the groan I realise that you are going thro a tough time, and I apologise for the straight forward answer I gave you.

Good luck in your future and hope you get better soon.

I received a letter yesterday that said that if I wanted to change my franchise for 2008, I have until the 12th of November. So perhaps you could change your franchise down to 300CHF still for next year? I do not know whether the deadline is the same for each company but perhaps worth a try, as you can be pretty sure it won't be worthwile for you to keep a 1500chf franchise for next year, even if you have your second surgery this year (because of the likelihood of needing follow up tests etc).

I also recall reading something about secondary costs during the first 30 days of the next year being paid by either the old company, or maybe being split, but this could be wrong. Have you checked the fine print of your policy, it should be in there I think. Otherwise Jenny might now (look at the top of the insurance section, I think she has a sticky?).

Apology accepted. Peace and all that...
The groan was due to the fact that your answer wasn't "straight forward" as you think, it was infact a completely useless answer. I read it and thought that this person is just posting to get his/her post count up. You don't actually know the answer to my query and your stating the obvious "contact the insurance company" idea doesn't help. But thanks anyway!

My reason for posting on here is that for many events in ones life here in Switzerland there's usually someone else who has personal experience of the same or similar situation. I think it is safe to assume that there just might possibly be one member of this forum who has gained experience of having treatment run into the next year and would know if I will have to pay my franchise and retention again if my op is scheduled for 2008. Isn't that what these forums are for?


Muze7,
I think I read earlier on another site (maybe Comparis) that if I wish to change my franchise then it has to be done in writing by the end of Nov. I will be staying with the same insurance provider and if my next (4th) operation takes place in the remainder of 2007, I will have no need to change my franchise.
I have checked the details (small print) of my policy and as I understand things (although I may have the wrong end of the stick) ...the franchise will come into effect for each calender year meaning that if the op takes place on 1st Jan '08 or later I will have to pay the 1500chf + 700chf.
My Dad (who sells insurance in the UK) argues that if the operation is part of the treatment i've undergone since August then I shouldn't be liable for paying the franchise.
The sticky at the top of this section is very helpful and useful but it doesn't have the answers i'm seeking.

I've just re-read the sticky and noticed something that I missed when I looked at it last night:


It looks like I might have to see about changing my franchise if the doctor tells me the op may be in 2008

Psyk,

While there may be someone here who has had a similar case, it is highly unlikely that this would also be with either the same health fund as yours or for the same type of treatment.

Franky, the advice that Vishi gave you to contact your insurer was the best.

After all, if someone here did say that it is the excess of CHF1500 is only counted once even if treatment falls in two years, what are you going to do with that information? Go to your health fund and say "my friend X from the English Forum says it's OK, so you must abide by what X say"?

I think there are times when posters over estimate what forums are for. There are limits...

If the operation takes place in 2008, you will definitely have to repay your excess and quote-part (10%).

If it takes place in 2007, then you won't have to.

If I were you, I would reduce my excess to 300.- for the 01.01.08 if you think that the operation is likely to take place in 2008. You'll have to pay more per month but you'll probably end up forking out less in the long run.

[quote=Psyk;121884]Apology accepted. Peace and all that...
The groan was due to the fact that your answer wasn't "straight forward" as you think, it was infact a completely useless answer. I read it and thought that this person is just posting to get his/her post count up. You don't actually know the answer to my query and your stating the obvious "contact the insurance company" idea doesn't help. But thanks anyway!

Look.. I was going to let this go.. by apologizing since ur going thro a shitty time.. But you pushed your limits... What do you expect from the EF.. a bunch of specialists who can advice you... Even if you do find an insurance specialist and he advices you of your rights etc... you still need to figure this out with your insurance provider... Thats all I meant by my post. Anyways.. I still wish you find the cheapest way to solve your problems and btw, I am not going to get a medal by increasing my post count !!...