Hi guys, wasn't sure where to put this.

I came to Switzerland in July 2009

Yesterday in my mailbox I got a letter from Sana24 and it's a bill from July 2009 - April 2010

The amount is just under 2000 CHF

Is this my health insurance?

Does it come every 8 months or something?

I thought these things were taken care of from my monthly salary - all the decuctions I have

Can I claim this money back?

Thanks

health insurance is not included in your salary deduction, you have to arrange separately directly with the insurance company.

It is compulsory in Switzerland and you have 3 month to sort it out from the moment you enter the country. if you don't, your gemeinde will choose one for you and stitch you up with the bill (which is back-dated from the moment you enter CH).

You should get the bill monthly (paid in advance).

No, you can't claim it back

This is the first I've heard from them and it wasn't monthly obviously - it just came and it says on the top -

July 2009 - April 2010

Did they do something wrong?

I am with Sana24 and have no complaints as yet... though I think the price went up a tad too much with the last rise, and will be investigating other options later this year.

It's your job to set up your health insurance payments, and the bill you have recieved will reflect all the outstanding payments from the whole time you have been in Switzerland.

That probably doesn't make it hurt any less.

as I said, it is probably because you didn't get your own. Once the Gemeinde finds out that you don't have health insurance (because you have to notify them when you do...) they will choose a policy for you and register you automatically (in this case looks like they choose Sana24, which by the way is not too bad, I have the same) and then the insurance will send you the bill from the moment you entered. Further payment will be monthly (they'll send you the pink slips, usually in batches of 3 months at the time).

I suggest you get in touch with sana24 if you are not sure

1'900 from July 2009 to April 2010 - Does that look expensive or is that normal?

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So when you decide to leave the country - when should you notify them?

Say if I was to leave in 3 months time - I should let them know right?

When you arrive in Switzerland and registre with the Geminde, you will receive a letter shortly thereafter asking you to tick with insurer you go with. This being Switzerland I am sure you have received it

So it looks like CHF 250 per month, which is about right. This will vary depending on your age, gender, place of residence etc.

Whether you can claim it back from your company, depends on your contract with them. Some companies contribute to health insurance, but this is often for the private one - the one on top of the compulsary one.

it actually sound quite cheap, under 200fr per month.

of course you have to notify them if you leave the country...

I have a guy - he works with our company - he works for an assurance company and he's the one who provided me all the info on Sana24 when I first started and made me sign etc

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When you have a private health insurance like this do you do it through someone like how I am doing or can I contact Sana24 directly myself?

I want to transfer and move to another insurance company but want to do it myslef

Can I do this directly with Sana24? Thanks

They have a website, and they have a contact number... of course you can contact them direct. Use a bit of initiative. http://www.sana24.ch/de/hotline/hotline.shtml

Yea' but do you see EN anywhere? No

The word "hotline" is clearly printed on the website, anyone with a bit of common sense could find that telephone number. And someone will speak to you or call you back in English if requested. It's really not that tricky.

Thanks iota man

You are most welcome.

You can only change at specific points in the year or if the current company hikes it's prices mid term.