Hi all.

I arrived to zurich in july 2006 and got my permit in October 2006.
I could only apply for health insurance after October 2006 and my insurance company is now trying to charge me for the 3 months that I stayed in Switzerland with visitor visa (between July-October).

I read before in this forum that some of us managed to deal with health insurance companies so that they didnt have to pay for the first few months that they stayed on their tourist visas until permit had arrived.

Not only I am so sick of poor customer service of Sanitas, I still couldnt convince them to not to charge me for the July-October period and I wish to change my health insurance company. What other health insurance company can you suggest so that I can get good service and also save the money for the period of first three months in Switzerland.

Thanks

Barish, there are lots of threads on this topic, search on medical insurance and see a thread of last week too.

However, at this stage it is a bit late. You can ask them to reduce the premium for that period, but they don't have to allow this. Also, you are stuck with Sanitas until dec 2007 since you had to terminate by November. See other threads again...

My case was actually never resolved, which is why the thread I started on this topic never had a post explaining what happened. I am still waiting to hear back from my health insurance provider, although I mailed them all of the information about prior private health coverage in the United States back in November. This coverage had been maintained during that three month period, hence they informed me prior to me mailing this information that I had a right to contest their claim. I have been receiving bills regularly since, so I am covered and I guess they are still processing my complaint. I am really curious as to what has happened.

Also, you cannot simply change your health insurance company when you wish. You chose that health insurance company and you must continue to pay them their monthly premiums, including that previous time. You cannot cancel coverage retroactively as I believe is allowed in the US. There is only a certain window of time each year when that is allowed and when such changes take affect. I believe the deadline for each year is at the end November, and changes take affect at the end of the year? Others might know more than me, as I have only been here since August and have only gone through this period once. There is typically an uptick in the media about making changes at that time of year.

Barish, how does your heath fund know you were here before you registered?

The date of entry is on the Bewilligung / residency permit. This how my insurance provider decided when to charge me from.