In Switzerland, do medications count the same way as other treatment (i.e. are they subject to the deductible)? I'm on a few expensive medications (at least expensive in the US), so that would affect my choice of which deductible to choose.

Thanks for the helpful thread!

You will need to call your potential insurer and ask, giving them the local name for the medication. Some meds fall onto their included list, and some not. I was on expensive drugs for pre-term labour for 10 weeks. Insurance didn't cover these 100%, since they weren't on their "list". I'm glad I had a low deductible.

I see, so insurance companies are allowed to have a preferred list (in the US they call this a drug formulary). This is not regulated by the government laws for basic insurance? I can see how this would affect the prices of the different insurers.

You'll find a list of drugs which are included here.

Not quite...

There are 4 lists of meds in Switzerland

1. Speciality List

This is a list containing around 2'500 original and generic medicines.

This list is covered by the LAMal/KVG (government laws) - i.e. the basic insurance.
Any drugs on this list are therefore covered by every single company identically.

2. Swissmedic

Second list of drugs which a lot of (but not all) insurance companies work with.

Covered under supplementary
(generally 90% unlimited)

3. Insurance Company list

A lot of insurance companies have their own list.
So, if your medication is not on the Speciality List or on the Swissmedic list, it may be on your insurance companies list.

Each company has their own individual list.

Covered under supplementary - generally a lesser % than the Swissmedic list.

4. Negative List

Medication which is never covered by anyone.
e.g. Viagra, the contraceptive pill (yes, it's an outrage)

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Hope this makes it clearer

Wow. I never knew it was so complicated.

I just decide based on risk to either go for max or min franchise. I did get annoyed with my doc when he said the insurance will cover it - he assumed min franchise.

I'm a 40 year old hubby with a really OLD wife (41). I worked out over the last 7 years, we'd have been better off with min franchise - despite major surgery in the 2nd and 3rd year. For the kids - there was nothing in it.

Fact is though, I knew I had the money to cover the max excess. If you didn't I suppose it would be a bit different.

Thanks! But I can't understand french yet, and the "english" link on that page doesn't work. Do you know of another, english, list?

Could anyone advice about maternity? We are planning to start trying some time next year, so that the baby will hopefully come in 2011. Should I already change my franchise to 300 CHF for 2010? What is exactly covered by the compulsory insurance and what are the possible suplementories?

Sorry to respond to an old thread but I want to clarify something.

When you say the insurance company has a "list" that is covered, does this mean that any drugs on that list are paid for 100% by the insurance?

Thanks and sorry if I'm being dumb!

No, 90% after your deductible.

The cost of the medication is cumulative with the costs of doctors, hospitals etc.

Thank you. This is very helpful for a family newly arrived in Switzerland with one on the way!

Shannon

i assume is not possible to switch the deductible any time of the year??? right??

No, you can only change your deductible once a year and for the beginning of a new calendar year - i.e. 1st of Jan.

You have to give your company 1 months notice - i.e. by the 30th of November.

I've been on CHF2000 franchise since 2008 and have not spend a single rappen at the doctor's (in fact have not seen a doctor since 2005)

Switching to CHF2500 only reduces my monthly insurance bill by a small figure. Wonder what's the best option for 2011...

From BenderRules's graph is lampant that only the higher and lowest franchises do make sense, i.e. are the cheapest. You decide which to take according to your medical/curative habits.

You've answered it yourself, you don't use the doctor so go for maximum fanchise. Any case in the absolute worse case scenario it will cost you Chf 500.--extra. What are the premiuns for Chf 2000.-- fanchise or Chf 2'500 franchise, what can you afford to pay ?

Last day to change is today for 2010 (assuming you're reading this on 30.11.2010 )

This post
Deductible / Excess / Franchise - which is the best one to choose?

is spot on

either go with the minimum franchise or the maximum - anything inbetween is pointless

I made a similar graph for my own insurance and the results were identical

... except you have to cancel the old insurers by registered mail .

Wonder if they would accept couriered mail or hand delivered. What am I on about, this is Switzerland and rules are rules .

I am sorry that I am responding to old post but it is possible to increase your franchisee deductible, however it is not possible to reduce it, during the year. At any time you can increase the decductible and reduce your premium payments. Although depends as well on the insurance company, My insurance company did allow at any time to increase. CSS was my insurance company.

great info here thank you!