Hi all,

I am currently travelling in Singapore. I just fell on the ground and hurt my left knee quite badly and I struggle to walk as the pain stops me from bending it, I don't know how serious it is.

I am with CSS for health insurance and the website says "Cover for costs incurred in emergencies for outpatient or inpatient treatment in the general ward up to a maximum of twice the tariff of the canton of residence in Switzerland."

1. Is this considered as an "emergency"? if so I woud like to see a doctor here.

2. Or is this covered by accident insurance? the problem is my last internship contract in CH ended and my next one will start on Janurary, I think legally I don't have an employer today between the 2 internship durations.

Would be grateful to hear from you

As you fell, it is clearly not health related but accident related and will be treated a such.


You have accident assurance up to 30 days after the last day of paid work in order for you to arrange your own accident assurance, so depending when your last day of work was will answer your question.


You will almost certainly be asked to pay up front in Singapore and claim back here from your assurance.



Go get a packet of frozen peas or a bag of ice cubes and put on your knee, you may find this works sufficiently that the knock is not so bad after all

Thanks a lot, my fall was quite bad, last time I fell this badly I was still a kid...Yes I am within 30 days between INTERNSHIPS. I checked my contract and the only 2 provisions for accident insurance are below, I don't have problem to pay up front in Singapore, if it can be reimbursed by CH insurance later...

1. The compulsory social security contributions and, if an Insurance obligation applies, the premiums for the non-occupational accident insurance are deducted from the hourly wage (gross). Additional deductions are made to the extent that they are legally required or have been agreed upon with the employee. Provided that the relevant conditions are fulfilled, the employee is Insured with the PKE Pension Foundation Energy, in accordance
with PKE s statutes and regulations.

2.The employee is insured with SU A agains workplace accidents within the framework of the obligatory accident insurance. Employees who work at least 8 hours per week are insured against non-workplace accidents. In the event of incapacity to work, employees are entitled to the daily allowance from SUVA.

Try a bottle of whiskey and a day in bed, far cheaper than a doctor

In SG there's basically a doctor's cabinet on every street corner, easy to hop in and have it examined on the spot. Normally a consult is not too expensive, i.e. less than chf 100.

I also hurt my knee quite badly while crossing a river and slipping on a rock. I went to a physio who also looks after one of the ice hockey teams here who told me there's nothing much that can be done and the pain will subside and go completely in about 6 months. He was right.

Mrs. LP contracted some horrible skin disease (I forget the name) from a pool in Africa near Addo Elephant park which manifested itself a few days later in Cape Town. She saw the hotel doctor, just managed to avoid going to hospital but was serious enough he visited her twice a day and forbade her to fly due to swelling and the medicines she was on. Great thing (for me at least ;-) ) was we had to stay 10 extra days and the whole treatment and hotel stay was picked up by the Swiss health insurance.

Hi!

Outpatient costs are pretty cheap here compared to Switzerland - go to a Raffles Clinic (plenty) and they can help. The main one in Raffles hospital is open 24 hours.

PM if you need help, am in Singapore.

K

Edits:
1) Whether you are covered or not depends on your policy and travel insurance if any
2) Beware that they are high on intervention here and may suggest MRI etc. So insist for what you want (i.e. xray but not MRI etc).

Fixed that for you.

As said before per Swiss law the mandatory accident insurance, is it Suva or others, expires 31 days after the last day of paid work (Art. 3 Abs. 2 UVG). The insurance cover is also valid abroad. Medical expenses are reimbursed up to twice the cost in Switzerland (Art. 17 UVV).

Suva has an assistance service that you can contact in case of accidents abroad. Visit www.suva.ch/assistance or call the number +41 848 724 144. Otherwise, call your previous job which will notify the relevant insurance company of the accident.