I switched from CPT/KPT after having been with them for 30 years but having been in legal conflict with them for over 18 months. During the conflict they turned up to be arrogant, treated me with contempt and any questions they couldn't answer or which showed them to be incorrect ended up in a black hole. With my "protection juridique" I finally got what I wanted, but they then upped the premiums by 14% at the end of last year (it wasn't just me, everyone in the canton got the hike) and I decided that there was no way that even the cheapest health insurance could be any worse than they were.
I moved to Assura, saving myself some 70 CHF per month in the process. Really the only complaint I have is that they're slow in reimbursing bills. CPT/KPT used rarely to take more than 2 weeks, whilst Assura seems to spread out reimbursments and they can take up to 6 weeks (apparently, though I haven't checked this, they are legally supposed to take no more 4 weeks).

Thank you Duncan that would be great.
I have however contacted Steven, who's details are further up in this forum and meeting with him on Monday.
I am willing and happy to accept all the help I can get at this stage.
Jax

In terms of insurance benefits all basic insurances have the same coverage (by law). Some of the insurance companies might be more annoying to deal with than others. There's ratings on comparis.ch you can use to pick the right one for you. When it comes to the premiums, there's huge differences though. I basically check for my basic insurance every year on comparis.ch which one is the cheapest one and then switch. For the supplemental it is a different story, those are highly individual and the companies also have the right to turn your application down in case they don't want to insure you.

Check out Swica...they also provide all information including billing in English.

Thanks everyone for the advise.
I met with Steven (details above in chat) and he has sorted out for us - anyone looking for a consultant to assist - I highly recommend him.

Cheers
Jax

Who did you go for, finally? It might help others looking at the same question

We went with Helsana - my husband is fluent in Italian so that does help as their correspondence is only in Italian, German or French - FYI

If it is manners you are looking for, call Antonio at CSS. He was awesome: antonio.kass@css.ch

I had to have emergency surgery and I started the process without following protocol. CSS was very forgiving and did not withhold any claims. They will also send you all correspondence in English.

All the best,
Jesamine

I just happened to be speaking with the billing office of University Spital in Basel. They have quite strong negative opinions of several insurance companies. They don't like dealing with any of the Groupe Mutuel companies. Say they don't like to pay their bills.

If you want an English or Dutch Speaker, I always deal with Marcel Kooiman from SWICA - Marcel.kooiman@swica.ch

I use Concordia, the office in Baar. I'm sure I'm paying more, the communication is excellent and the help.

When choosing health insurance you might want to consider that if you regularly use the same doctor, or practise, then your history will be available to the doctor when considering diagnosis & treatment.

In the larger cities there are group practices with many doctors and specialists, and usually you have 24 hour telephone assistance.

The big attraction for me is that the premiums are much cheaper too. The one "disadvantage" is that the first point of call is the doctor, or practice, you have chosen.

These cheaper policies are labelled HMO or HAM. If you need a specialist consultation or treatment you are transferred to the approved doctor with virtually no delay.

There is another policy called TelMed, where you are committed to calling a number and speaking with a doctor, who then decides which doctor you should visit for your problem. I don't know how your history is recorded, or whether it is spread out over several doctors.

I have been continually insured with Visana for 25 years, (The name was changed once) and I have only the highest praise for them; their normal policy is expensive, but I use their HAM model policy. I use the group practise SanaCare in Bern, which I also praise highly, http://www.sanacare.ch/htm/home.htm

I have looked at the Visana website, and they don't offer an English service.

Do not under any circumstances sign up with Helsana! We have been with them for 15 years with no significant claims. Expensive, but customer service very good and all communications are in English....however the very first time I needed them to cover a significant expense 4K for my son's orthodontic work which is covered in his supplementary policy...they ran for the hills, put up the shutters and refused to pay. Absolutely furious....they dug deep to find every loophole and excuse to avoid actually paying something back to me after 15 years. I no longer trust them and am in the process of moving to SWICA.

Hi!

Me and my daughter are with Concordia. We are happy with them although I will also change to SWICA, they are the best in my opinion, considering the aspects you're looking for. My husband on the other hand is with Assura and he's not happy with them: slow customer service.
I hope you find the best Insurance for you.

Greetings
Diana

No complaints (yet) with Sanitas...

Hi Duncan,
Can you please send me the contact of your Swica advisor?

Thanks a lot, Elisa.