FYI, Swisscare insurance is no longer accepted at the Frauenklinik (women's clinic), University Hospital Zurich. They said it is a new rule (I knew it myself that last year it was still ok).

As for other clinics in this hospital, or other hospitals, I don't have any information.

Does anybody know whether we can have the list of clinics / hospitals that don't want to accept Swisscare? (or do we need to check it one by one first everytime we get sick? )

Is the FrauenKlinic a private hospital?
I would imagine Swisscare would be more readily accepted at a public hospital.

It is one of the clinics in the University Hospital Zurich.
University Hospital Zurich (www.usz.ch) is the hospital of University of Zurich, and one of the largest teaching hospitals in Europe.
I think that's not a private one

I guess my theory is out the window.... I'll try to think of another one!

Hello, my girlfriend was in the Frauenklinik Unispital Zurich last month and was accepted without problems. The hospital receptionist was not very clear in the explanation and we called Swisscare. The company has send a confirmation of coverage to Frauenklinik. This was accepted without problems. Since last year (2007), in the Swiss health insurance rules, if a person has not paid in Switzerland his insurance premium, the medical bills are not reimbursed to hospital or insureds. Not only by Swisscare, but by all Swiss national or international companies. Some hospitals ask now to the international companies or private like Swisscare a confirmation of coverage and the card is often not valid, they will avoid that an patient is not covered (money is money - also for hospitals).

I advice in a similar situation, to call your insurance company.

If Swisscare is one of the standard health insurance packages, then the hospital (probably) can't turn you away.
That is the point of universal health insurance...surely

Otherwise, it becomes a private hospital for the very rich...

By virtue of the fact Health insurance is compulsory all medical care is therefore private. Just the facilities and coverage are deisgnated differently (norma/basic, semi-private, private).

As insurance company recognition is cantonal you may need a copy of the cantonal permission/recognition of your insurance provider for your stay in Switzerland depending on the merits of your situation (eg a temporary right to outside Switzerland coverage pending education, work exchange etc).