Dear Folks

May I ask a question here? I just found out that I don't have a healthy insurance but I am living in Switzerland. in 2008, I was insured with Swica, and I got an insurance card which is valid till 2012. Then due to the work issues I had to moved out from country, and the Gemeinde informed insurance company and terminated my insurance contract without my knowledge. So I was always thinking I was insurance which indeed I wasn't. I got registered in Geimeinde with that invalid insurance card. Till the begining of this Month, as I moved to a new place, so I called up insurance company to change address, they told me that I was not their customer. So there I found out the entire story. What shall I do? Will I be backdated to pay? I am still shocked how this could happen.

Thanks for your input
Best Regards
VVV

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Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.

Who has been taking the payments?

If you left the country then you no longer needed or were entitled to have Swiss health insurance.

When you moved back, then you became liable again.

How much time passed between the two events?

You will be charged back to your latest entry date but as you haven't been paying premiums since leaving that should come as no surprise.

I'm surprised you didn't notice that you were not paying anymore. I can assure you that if we didn't have to pay for health insurance premiums WE WOULD DEFO NOTICE - and be quite rich.

A card can be valid as long as it likes... but insurance is only valid if you pay the premiums. How can you not notice you haven't paid or take it for granted you are insured if you aren't paying?
I think they usually backdate it as you are obliged to be insured here.

Yes, you have 3 months to organise your Insurance, but it is backdated, NOT to the date of entry, but to the first day of that month (we moved on the 24th but had to pay for the whole month!). When did you come back to CH?

Well last I remember you get a letter from the kreis bureau (or someone) stating that if you don't get an insurance within the specified period, then they will choose an insurer for you and you'll get the bills. I don't understand how you could remain un-insured for a whole year without anyone noticing it.

And yes, it is always backdated.

Well, I don't know why and how it could happen. The payment was being withdrawn automatically every month, (I chose 2500 F, so it was around 160 a month or something, so I didn't pay that much attention, I didn't notice when it stopped paying, as I moved, the withholding tax is also changed, the entire balance sheet looks alright, but yes, I am carelessness and stupid), and I've never got a letter from insurance company, so I thought i was insured. Geimeide accepted my insurance card, it looks valid but actually it is useless. It happened and I am also shocked. I just got the offer from another insurance company, which will start on 1st May, do I need to notify Geimeide? If I need to pay back, then I will have to accept it as I was stupid then. Nothing to complain

__________________
......
Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.

Automatically (LSV)

You mean the Insurance was cancelled but payments were still made?

Just to make myself clear. I paid till the end of 2010. As it was automatically withdrawn from bank account. And insurance company said my contract was terminated at the beginning of April, the month I left CH. But I was still working for CH, and paying tax in CH, that was just a short assignment and I got permission from Immigration office to leave for a year. And I can be remain insured in CH, says Gemeinde at that time. So I didn't bother. The insurance company terminated my contract without giving any confirmation, (I called them, they said there is no need to give once people already left country), but they got payment all the time till the end of last year, well, 3 months ago.

__________________
......
Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.

Yes, till the end of 2010. I was thinking about if I should get a lawer or something

I would be trying to compile all the documents that show that the money has been paid to the insurance company - someone has been banking the money !

Just go to their office with the evidence - then just pay the 3 months missing.

I would first get confirmation it was canceled while you were still paying. Otherwise they can pretend you were still covered.

Already got it and printed from Bank confirmation

And yes, they confirmed with me it was cancelled since April 2009

Maybe this is easiest, just re-insured under the same policy number. I might not need to bother Geimeide at all

But I am somehow very angry, angry about myself, and angry about situation.... I don't want to blame it on me only... I have this Rechtshutsversicherung, I am thinking if it is worth to get a lawer...

How good is your German? Before getting a lawyer, I'd go to their office and ask to discuss this with an advisor - and attempt to strike a deal. If your German is not too hot, take somebody with you and make sure they are briefed properly. They can't cancel Insurance and yet keep taking the money. But if you want to keep the same Insurance number, etc, you probably just need to pay for the 3 missing months. No point in going to the trouble and expense of a solicitor if you can find a solution with them, surely.