Hi everyone,
I have been meaning to post something on here for the last few weeks but as most of you know, the health insurance premiums have shot up for 2010 meaning that I've been a bit snowed under to say the least with lots of questions etc.
I've read quite a few points about changing providers so thought I'd give you some last minute pointers based on some misunderstandings I've seen on the forum :
- When choosing a new provider, make sure you know what you're signing up for.
Sometimes people will choose the cheapest company they find on comparis without realising that they're signing up for an insurance with a restricted list of doctors etc. so read the small print!
There are some new companies around for 2010 who have quite a lot of restrictions
- If you have a pre-existing condition you can change providers no problem for the basic insurance.
If you're only switching the basic (LAMal/KVG) then you shouldn't have to fill out a health questionnaire though I've known of some companies in the past asking people to. By law you don't need to.
- There has been a change in the law for 2010 regarding the maximum reduction health insurance companies are allowed to give for the highest deductible.
If you have a 2'500.- deductible and you're doing a comparison, once you've found the company you'd like to go with, double-check how much they cost for a 2'000.- deductible as the difference is sometimes negligable (in some cases 50c a month)
- If you've already sent a cancellation letter in, you may have received acknowledgement from your present provider stating that you can only change once they've received proof from your new provider etc.
This is because there are actually 3 conditions to changing basic insurance :
i) You have to get your letter in by registered mail (or by hand) by the 30th of November
ii) You have to be up to date with your premium payments
iii) You have to have a new insurance company to go to.
As it's compulsory, you can't just cancel it altogether, so your current company will send you a standard letter saying that they'll let you go once they receive an attestation from your new provider.
This is standard and your new company will send the attestation, don't worry. They do it every year for thousands of people and are used to it.
- Don't believe everything you read about "average" increases.
Percentage wise it's difficult to say by how much they've gone up.
Some cantons have increased a lot more than others (Berne has been badly hit for example).
Also, due to the change in law about the maximum discount for taking a high deductible, those with a 2'500.- deductible will see a higher increase proportionally than those with a 300.- deductible.
The "record" I've seen so far is one company in Berne who have increased their premiums for children at a 500.- deductible by 163% - yes, that's 163%
- If you have your cancellation letter ready, send it off now.
Although we have until Monday the 30th, you're better off being a day early than a day late.
Also, if you're planning to take the letter in by hand, take it in on Friday rather than leaving it to the last minute.
A lot of the smaller branches are often mysteriously closed on the 30th of November for "stock takes", "works", "meetings" etc.
(This is from personal experience!)
Also, if you do take a letter in by hand, don't leave until they accept it. Take a copy and get your copy stamped and signed as proof of acceptance.
I've also had experience of companies refusing point-blank to take letters off people even though they have to accept them by law (after all, they don't refuse the postman do they?)
- Some companies may increase their premiums again during 2010.
According to santésuisse 18 companies may increase their premiums again next summer for the basic insurance.
Those who are not increasing will be advertising that they aren't.
If this does happen, you'll be able to change your provider as long as you're up to date with payments.
More info in French :
http://www.santesuisse.ch/fr/dyn_out...tail=yes&navid=
and in German :
http://www.20min.ch/gesundheit/news/story/17290331
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Cancelling Supplementary Insurance
Normally you have to get your letter in a lot earlier for the supplementary insurance however.... if the premiums have increased, you can cancel this part too by giving notice by the end of November.
This should be stated in their general conditions.
N.B. This is the same law which governs car and household insurances too so the same conditions apply. (LCA/VVG)
Companies who are rumoured to have increased at least some of their supplementary insurance premiums for 2010 :
CSS, Sympany, Helsana, Sanitas, Swica, Concordia, Atupri, KPT/CPT, Intras, Visana
N.B. I wouldn't advise cancelling your supplementary insurance if you think there's a chance of you being refused by another company due to a pre-existing condition or your BMI etc. so be careful!
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I hope this lot helps anyone thinking of changing
Apologies for the lateness of my post - these really are "last-minute" pointers!
Jenny