I injured my shoulder badly snowboarding and will probably require an operation.

Until now, I have been working full-time in a restaurant in Grindelwald and therefore paying my taxes and everything. I have medical insurance through the job, although I will probably not be able to claim through this as my work contract will be ending before any possible operation.

I have the EHIC card and although this is an EU thing, have heard it can be valid in Switzerland too. I would be willing to have the operation in Switzerland so long as I can claim back the costs. If they are going to charge me lots with no way of claiming the money back I will go home to the UK for it.

Could anybody please explain my rights to healthcare and how easy it will be to get the costs of an operation here refunded.

Thanks,
Alex

I don't like to go running to her with every minor, asked 300 times already, questions but as this is likely to cost you a load of money if you get it wrong, I suggest that you 'bother' our insurance expert with this one.

Get in touch with Jenny and give her as accurate information as you possibly can.

It would be great if you could come back and give us the answers as this might happen to someone else in the future too.
As you are new and are taking advantage of help which you have not, as yet, 'earned a right to', it would also be nice if you could stick around and help with a few other questions and ideas from your own experience working here too

__________________
Longbyt

You would be insured then at the time of the accident. You should contact your employers and they will advise their insurance company. You should get sent a form which gives the case number etc. Your doctor will need this for his invoice etc. but go first to the doctor and see about it.

This would be covered by your accident insurance which, as you are in full employment, is provided by your employer.

What matters is that you were covered at the time of the accident. Any medical bills that arise after your employment ends would still be covered as you were insured at that time. You should notify the insurance company immediately about the incident.

...and keep copies of all and any medical receipts/reports etc. related to the accident, if possible the accident report (if this involved on-piste assistance) etc.

I fell off my bike 2 years ago, so I know about this.

No. The employers insurance company "SUVA" insist that the employer notifies the SUVA. You should ask your employer to notify their insurance (Usually the SUVA) and get the "Serial number" (Aktennummer) for the accident.

All the treatment for this accident will be filed under this number. Did you have first aid, and an initial doctors visit? These go under this number. You send all the bills to the SUVA with this number. You do not have to pay them first. Have the operation here in Switzerland, ask first where you can have the operation. Get advice first and go to a doctor specialising in sport injuries.

You can also claim loss of earnings. You get nothing the first 3 days, and then I think 80% of your average previous salary. So you might want to find out if they will pay for the operation immediately after you finish work.

If you go back to the UK you won't be able to claim from the NHS, only from any travel insurance you might have.

If you are working in Switzerland temporarily, the EHIC card on its own is not sufficient. You need extra documentation to confirm that you are still paying your UK contributions. See the country guide for working abroad:

EHIC

Thanks for all the advice everyone. I will come back here and say how things went so that other people can learn from this.

Alex

My company's insurers (Die Mobiliar) paid for everything: helicopter rescue, painkillers would have paid for an operation (although I decided not to have it and let the shoulder heal naturally) they will also pay for any physiotherapy I need in Switzerland (and back in the UK if its the same price or cheaper).

Pah!

Cant give out rep (too much in past 24h)
Cant thank (timezup)

Life is tough...