Hi all, well, it's that time of year again. My current insurer (SWICA, the call-ahead version) hiked the prices majorly. I have had good experiences with them, but then again I don't go too often to the doctors either. So I'm considering a switch to Assura (which my husband uses), to Helsana or to Atupri (which I'd never heard of).

Atupri is the cheapest and allows me to stay with my current doctor. Assura and Helsana are about fifteen to twenty bucks more a month but also still allow me to stay with my current doctor (Assura has a cheaper model but I would have to switch and while I haven't been using my doctor for long, I'm right sick of changing doctors so much in the past several years due to moving etc). These models would still save me thirty to fifty bucks a month compared to staying with Swica.

Does anyone have experiences with Atupri, Helsana or Assura they would like to share? Good/bad/ugly? Especially regarding pregnancy. I am not yet pregnant but we will soon be taking on that step in our lives and I want to make sure I'm with a good company that won't be stressful to deal with.

Also, advice and experience with complimentary insurance? I'm considering taking out an alternative treatment one as I suffer from a lot of joint problems due to my autoimmune disease and I often used chiropractors, massage therapists etc. in the US. I've really had a hard time not using them as often here, need to get back to using them more ... insights? Did anyone take out any special insurance in preparation for pregnancy or did basic take care of you well enough?

Thanks, hope this all makes sense!

Sadly there is no complimentary insurance, you have to pay

For complementary insurance, we have some and my wife benefits from some parts of it around physiotherapy, although I doubt it is cost effective for us in the end.

Sorry I can't help you on the other points.

Oh dear thank you, I couldn’t remember which spelling!

Thanks for the information. Someone said they had one that paid for ten sessions a year and cost ten francs a month, so that would be cost effective but then they said it was difficult to get their insurance to accept their need for a session sometimes.

I doubt any insurance will give you complementary insurance with an autoimmune disease.

It's a reminder for all to take out insurance before you need it, whether complementary health, legal, liability etc

K

I’ve had celiac disease for nearly ten years and I’ve only been in Switzerland for four so ... I’ll try my luck for the alternative medicine one if it seems worth it ... if not oh well.

FYI - Most supplemental insurance plans exclude pregnancy coverage for 270 days or more from the date coverage starts. The basic insurance of course still covers everything you need. Supplemental coverage would help pay for things like a semi-private or private room.

I suggest seeing your doctor as they may be able to give you a prescription for physiotherapy, etc, if they think it would help. And basic insurance would probably cover that so nothing to pay except your franchise/part quote.

Thanks! I didn’t know that.

Thanks—that’s a good idea. I’ll speak with her next time about that.

Yes I understand - it's is an issue for people who come here with pre existing conditions, however the basic insurance is very comprehensive so not to worry.

You will need to fill in a questionnaire reporting all sorts of details etc and then insurance will decide or may ask for more things.