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Thanks for the helpful hints but I have read all of those posts and also researched the topic thorougly. I also do not have a company group policy available - that was simply a "special offer" which wasn't all that special.
This thread was meant to document my experience as it will be similar to others. The previous posts did not, for example, mention the specific timelines and paperwork to prove exemption.
I am currently paying National Insurance contributions in the UK and therefore I do qualify to be exempted from the Swiss alternative - I have a 12 month contract from a UK-based (Isle of Man) employer to which I intend to return. I may be working in CH but I am also simply a visitor - I have no intention to remain in this country after my 6 months are up. And I don't have the luxury of money floating around to pay out for unexpected and unnecessary health insurance.
So if we're spouting opinions, I simply do not understand the mentality of paying through the nose for something which does not apply to you! For a nation of rule-followers, this carefree atittude to money is laughable. It's anti-consumerism in the extreme!
To continue my tale, then...
I received a form (in English) with an explanatory letter in German (but with an English translation on the reverse).
This essentially lays out the choices under which you wish to try to qualify, which I shall paraphrase:
1. Residency in Switzerland but not employed/self employed.
2. Gainfully employed in Switzerland AND another EC/EFTA country.
3. Retired people, gaining a pension from a foreign country.
4. Otherwise exempted from Swiss Old Age Pension, Susriviors and Invalidity Insurance Scheme (AHV/IV).
5. Temporary deployment to Switzerland by a foreign company.
6. Swiss resident studying abroad.
7. Gainfully employed in Switzerland, present during the week only, with a life based abroad (permit L or G).
8. Pre-university, post-secondary or intern pursuing further education in Switzerland.
9. Lecturer at a post-secondary educational institution.
10. Holder of a 90-day or 120-day permit (copy required)
11. Privately insured abroad and, due to age (over 55) and/or state of health, cannot continue to be insured in Switzerland to the same extent as previously.
12. A non-EC/EFTA citizen and legally insured
13. unemployed in Switzerland and receiving unemployment benefit from another country.
There is also a section regarding spouse, registered partner and/or children abroad.
I qualify under section 2 and am returning the form today (within the 30 day limit), together with my UK contract to:
Gesundheitsdirektion
Bereich KVG
Obstgartenstrasse 21
Postfach
CH 8090 Zurich
Tel: +41 43 259 2438
Fax: +41 43 259 5210