Hi all,

I've been in CH for a bit over a year, and have a Hausarzt model insurance with a 2500chf excess.

It was only September this year that I got sick for the first time so until then didn't bother finding and registering with a Hausarzt.

However, I've now had a number of appointments with my Hausarzt and specialists that he has referred me to. However,I've not received bills for any appointments.

I understood that I would pay all my medical expenses and then if I got above the magic 2500chf then I could claim for the year.

It's been 2-3 months and no bills... Does it normally take this long?

All the practitioners I've seen have taken my insurance policy details. Is there a chance they are trying to bill my insurance company direct?

Would appreciate some advice from your experience here.
Thanks!

Martin

Nothing strange, the bills will come Dr's often wait at least 3 months, I have waited 10 months for a small bill.

Thanks...

This might be more proof of Swiss mentality, because the one bill I have received is from my physio where I've had numerous appointments, but missed one, and within two days I received a bill for the missed appointment!!

Makes me wonder how the doctors survive with the delayed cash flow... Not good business to be slow to bill!

I asked my chiropractor, who is a min of 6 months & he said with low interest rates it makes no difference. Too much money me thinks!

I think it's bizarre. And maybe kanton dependent to some extent. It can make planning hard. We have very low franchises and send the bills in before we get them so that we're reimbursed in time to pay the bill. But once you get the bill you should have 30 days to pay.

We moved from Bern to Zurich (kanton) this year. My doctors in Bern billed us every month or every three months. Physio changed last year, from direct billing to bill patient first. I also got most of my meds from the doctor. Last year, I had 6 weeks of radiation, ending in September (2011). Never saw a bill - saw a statement last December with everything paid. And some lab charges are always sent directly to insurance.

In Zurich (2012) , i signed something from my hausartz so that they could bill insurance directly. Meds come from the pharmacy. So all my stuff, including pharmacy, goes directly to insurance, except for some blood tests, sent to a lab in Thurgau. Those we are billed directly for. The docs i kept in Bern still bill me first, and physio here(zurich) bills me every 3 to 6 months.

So it's not straightforward, seems to depend on the doctor, the kanton, the service.

I usually get bills through very quickly, but from the same Dr, bills have taken 3 months. It does seem varied. Rather than let this worry you, contact them and ask them for a statement of account, and settle it.

I thought exactly the same thing. When I get bills from the hospital, they generally come a few months after the visit. I chalked this up to the fact that the hospital is a big place and there's probably quite a lot of bureaucracy in getting the bills out (although everything is automated, so that somewhat debunks my theory).

But then I went to my new GP. As I left, I asked him whether I needed to settle the bill before I left the practice, or whether they would invoice me. He said that they'd invoice me, at least two months after the visit...

Like you, I'm amazed that they take this view towards their cashflow. It's one thing to invoice after-the-fact, which I think is a nice touch that shows what a trusting society Switzerland is; on the other hand, as a businessman, I can't understand why they don't sent out (at least) monthly invoices?!

I shouldn't worry too much. Doctor's bills can take several months. Put it this way: you will either get a bill direct from the doctor or from your insurance company if he's billed them. One way or another you WILL pay!

My understanding is that doctors will usually invoice a complete set of treatment, including multiple visits, within a 3 months period. So you will often only get your invoice 3 months after your initial visit.

I have just had some bills from my dr that cover the last 3 months - dont worry, they will catch up with you!

Yes, do expect to get the bills. It has taken long for me as well...

As per the Swiss law they have 5 years to bill for a service, so don't start celebrating