Hello.

I've arrived to Switzerland not so long ago, and I don't yet have my Health Insurance.

I've sent my information and insurance application to insurance advisor company; and they said that I'll get all my insurance papers and contract in 4 weeks.. too long.

So I would like to visit GP, and possibly some specialists ASAP. I don't know yet what supplemental insurance I will have, but I will have basic insurance (KVG) nevertheless starting from the date I arrived? I don't sign for any "money-savers" like HMO-only or first-call-us.

So the question is: may I be sure that if I visit some GP for a check (non-emergency), it will be reimbursed by insurance company (as basic insurance) or not?

Thanks.

If it's a non-emergency and just a general check, then why not just wait til your insurance papers come..?

So long as you get basic insurance within 3 months, any claims made within that period should be paid out.

Call your adviser company and/or prospective health insurer and ask.

You can certainly request an insurance contract that is valid from July 1st, or from the day you arrived, even though these dates are already past. My health insurance was made valid retroactively from the date I entered the country even though it took a few months after I arrived to sort everything out. I just ended up owing a few months backs payments for premiums for these months.

I your case, I'd suggest contacting your insurer to request they send you a contract for insurance beginning July 1st , then visit the doctor. Save all your receipts from your trip to the GP and for any tests, treatments or meds you require and send them into your insurer once you've signed your contract and paid your monthly premiums. Your insurer will then figure out who owes what to whom, (depending on what your insurance excess is).

Have your checked out the Healthcare FAQ? It explains the Swiss system, and also has links to documents that will tell you what services will be covered by your basic insurance and what won't.

Cheers,

HeatherM

thanks for your answers!

I checked Health Insurance FAQ, and found that GP visits are covered by basic insurance.

I visited GP, and he said that he will bill me only after I will bring him insurance papers. So, no problems.

It depends on your deductible. If you have only the mandatory basic insurance, you can normally select how high the deductible will be. Any costs that arise that go OVER the deductible will be reimbursed. Costs underneath the deductible will not.

Also, why don't you just apply to a health insurance company directly? An advisory company is no doubt going to charge you some fee, or take commission. Plus, it only takes like a day or two to get your policy number.

Try www.comparis.ch for rates for various insurance companies...