It is my first post so I would like to say warm hello to everyone!

Let me describe my problem first and later I will politely ask for your advices.

I'm moving to Zug from Poland on the 1st of July with my family - the wife and the 8 months old daughter, her name is Dafne.
Our baby has up to 30 seizures a day, she used to have about 100 before but medicines has decreased this number. Doctors have diagnosed an epilepsy (to be honest 3 out of 5 have done that so it is not 100% sure). Although the number of seizures has decreased we've been told that it might be a drug-resistant epilepsy. There is another very important thing, in one of the hospitals we have visited, the baby had an MRI scan which showed changes in her brain, it might be a result of the brain being developed but it might also be a brain tumour
We were supposed to have the MRI scan taken again last month, but in polish hospitals there are enormous queues for this treatment. We've been trying to have it done in private hospitals, but there is lack of anaesthetists and she has to be anaesthetize. It is hopeless.
In meanwhile I've got a job in Zug in IT in a financial company. I would like to take the opportunity and help my baby.

First of all we would like to have the MRI scan of her head done as quickly as possible. Where can we have done it? Do you know of any hospital which do it on infants? We don't mind paying for that, of course if it is not very expensive (when moving from Poland money might be a case).

Second of all I need to choose a health insurance for me, my wife and of course the baby. I have found a hospital when she could be cured of epilepsy - http://www.indb.ch/indb.htm
Do I need to have a special health insurance which covers that? How does it work ? Could you please advice? My company has agreement with Winterthur company, but if they don't provide this possibility I don't mind buying it from another insurance company.

Does anybody have an experience with epilepsy in Switzerland and would like to share knowledge?

Kind regards,
Rafal

I've read your post and I want to help you but I don't have any experience with this. However, try contacting the childrens hospital in Zurich and ask there about what treatments are available. They may be able to guide you further. I found this page in English.
http://www.kispi.uzh.ch/Kinderspital_en.html

With regard to the health insurance, I think you need to contact the insurance company and ask them directly as insurance is highly individual. For what it's worth I can assure you that Switzerland is a good place to be in terms of health care.
All the best to your little girl.

There is plenty about health insurance on the forum. Basically, there is a minimum standard type of policy that everybody must get and which is pretty good. Every insurance company offering this minimum standard policy is required to take you if you ask. Even if it takes you a month or two to have it set up, it will have a start date from when you arrive and establish permanent residency.

So basically, once you (and more importantly, your kid) show up and register with the town hall as a resident, you should be able to access most doctors and hospitals, and they will be paid by insurance. You should try to find a good, local, neurologist with pediatric experience as soon as possible. They will know what the Swiss standard of care is regarding MRIs and so on (from what I've seen, it is probably pretty high). Bring whatever medical records that you can from Poland.

You might want to pm Jenny, she is a friendly, English speaking insurance agent. She might be able to give you more insight on how it works here and ensure that your paperwork is squared away quickly once you arrive.

I have a relative with epilepsy. It tends to be a mysterious and scary disease. Modern treatment work well for a lot of people though. Note however that there is no "cure" per say, only medications to reduce or eliminate the symptoms. Every case is different, and I wish you luck.

Basic medical insurance is mandatory in Switzerland.
Your baby's needs should be covered by the basic medical insurance (and/or invalidity insurance) in the cantonal hospitals.
Perhaps the HR department of your new company can help you find out ? Perhaps your new company has an insurance policy with a specific health insurance firm for its employees ? that way you won't have to look for one on your own.

I wish you the very best.

The neurology department of Zurichs University hospital is here:
http://www.neurologie.usz.ch/Seiten/default.aspx

http://www.neurologie.usz.ch/system/seiten/contact.aspx


And the childrens hospital of Aarau is here:
http://www.ksa.ch/1440.asp

http://www.ksa.ch/1443/2087/3968.asp

http://www.ksa.ch/1443/2087/2098/2099.asp

I am guessing that they would be the closest places for you.

Give them a call, and they will be able to help you further. They both have very good reputations.

There is an actual epilepsy center in Zurich. Below is the link, good luck!

http://www.swissepi.ch

The epi clinic in Zurich, the above poster suggested is reputed to be one of the best in Europe. A friend's little girl(13 months) was treated there with great results.
She had to stay for several weeks but is now home and doing much better. Although she continues to have the odd seizure, the combination of mild drugs and other therapies have made a dramatic improvement. And I do remember her telling me the baby was having a series of scans and MRI's.
It was fairly simple to be seen once her child's dr set up a referral.
Best of luck to you and your family!

I think you will be pleasantly surprised with the health care in Switerland - you need to get compulsory insurance as soon as you arrive, but even before the paperwork is done, you can contact a Paediatrician and get a referral to the kids hospital for the recommended tests and to a specialist...

Best of luck getting the answers/treatment that you need...and welcome to Switzerland!