Hi all -

I’m adjusting to actually having health insurance and want to take full advantage, but it’s all very new. Currently I’ve seen the doctor a couple of times for back problems but didn’t think to ask him about the extra things I’m now looking to buy (like a heating pad, and a sit/stand desk for my home office...). Does anyone know about or have experience with whether the Krankenkasse pays for things like this if my doctor were to recommend them? (If it helps, I have the basic insurance plus one or two extra coverages.)

Also, any tips on things that are covered that you were pleasantly surprised by? Not necessarily related to my issue, I’m just curious what things I might not think of that I could be taking advantage of!

First you have pay your franchise. 100% from your wallet. The next f7,000 your coverage is 90%. Only then does the insurance pay the full bill.

So add f700 to your franchise. This is your share.

It may not be a good strategy to increase your medical spending.

Thanks, Bowlie. I have a low Franchise and will definitely meet it, so paying 10% of the cost on additional things may be worth it depending on what they are. And for example if I’m already planning to buy a special desk anything that would be helped by the Krankenkasse is a win

I very much doubt your health insurance would contribute towards the cost of a desk, even if your doctor thought it might help with your back problems.
A heat pad might be a possibility..... although you'd need a prescription for one, not just a recommendation.

I understand some insurances will contribute towards an annual visit to a health spa, but you'd need to check your own policy to check if you're covered.
#2 son's in-laws got an unexpected extra bonus during their own health spa trip this Spring, both coming back sick with covid.

I realise that medical aids are set up in this commercial manner in other countries but I think you should reassess your approach here in Switzerland. Switzerland offers great medical aid coverage, private yet universal - when you need it, it will have your back, no matter the cost. This is a great privilege for all of us, something we should not take for granted when we see what a disaster other countries make of it. Let’s not abuse it, let’s not take advantage of it for silly non-necessary add-ons. No, spas and heat pads are not medical treatment. MRIs, chemotherapy, hip replacements are medical therapies. Please don’t waste the doctor‘s and medical aid’s time trying to maximize your returns. When you are in an accident, when you are really sick, that is the time where your returns will be paid out. In the meantime by all means, go get all your medical issues sorted out by your GP but limit it to real issues and let it be enough that the treatment he/she prescribed is fully covered.

I don't disagree with you but if I decide to pay for a supplementary insurance that offers a spa treatment each year, then I definitely want to make sure I get what I pay for - in the end the company offers it so also makes money on it as its not a charity institution.

your accident insurance pays, NOT your health insurance.

Tom

Health insurances actually encourage you to use these supplementary benefits as they are seen as peventative and actually save them money in the long term. I'm fully, fully private and have never regretted it for a minute. Some of the items offered that I have taken advantage of:


- CHF800 contribution to gym membership (This contribution can also be used for other sports, regular massages, skiing, dance classes etc)
- My daughter's swimming classes and ballet, I believe are covered
- Something like CHF500 every three years for glasses


https://www.swica.ch/en/private/heal...swica-pays-for



Unrelated, but of interest is that my health insurance does a survey on you lifestyle and if you lead a healthy lifestyle you get a reduction in fees.

I don't know about your own health insurance but...

Two colleagues of mine took doctor certificates to the employer and the employer had to purchase sit/stand desks. I'm not sure how the rule applies in home office but it might be worth checking that avenue as well. If you need to vary your position when you work, it's true regardless of where the work is done, right?

Downside is if the company pays then they might say it's their property when you leave the company.

I don't think you will get those stuff paid, but you need to check with your insurer. If you have supplementary coverage, then "preventative" treatment will be covered, eg., massages for your back. You may have to pay 20%, but hey around Fr.20 for a 1 hour massage is very good value (but of course, you pay the supplementary premiums in the first place).


For most insurers, preventative treatment is not subject to a franchise. But some companies do have it, Swica comes to mind.

Thanks for the tips everyone

I do think my office will buy me a standing desk - I just have to figure out that path. But since I’m in the home office most of the time it’s not quite as helpful (and I’m not required to work from home so I think it would be hard to make a case for my company providing me home office equipment - it’s a grey area and worth asking though!).

To be clear I’m not looking to nickel and dime my insurance company to get everything I can out if it. I also intentionally pay a premium to have more coverage (which I have now paid for over a year and just went to a doctor for the first time 2 months ago, so insurance company is making out so far ) such as spa treatments because I do believe certain things can prevent further issues. Also Swiss insurance seems to cover things I find unusual as medical treatments (homeopathy? Really?), and for example in the US you can use HSA money for acupuncture without a prescription, but not massage. I’m sure there are similar things here that would be helpful to know so I can be proactive rather than seeking out treatments when things are already a problem

I bought one of these from this company a couple of years ago; it helps convert your "regular" desk into one where you can stand when you need to.

https://www.vari.com/eu/en/compact-s...DC-LPTP30.html

Would probably help if you told which insurance you are with and what products you bought extra. Someone is bound to have the same and tell you.