Best expat health insurance quotes in Switzerland

The Swiss healthcare system combines public, subsidized, and fully private schemes to create an extensive network of highly qualified doctors and hospitals. With an outstanding global reputation, you can find some of the most advanced medical facilities and shortest patient waiting times in Switzerland. However, the Swiss healthcare system is also one of the world’s most expensive.

All residents of Switzerland must be covered by a health insurance plan, and the government will sign you up for one automatically if you do not choose. This can often result in higher than usual premiums. Anyone in Switzerland without an insurance plan cannot access Swiss healthcare system apart from emergency services, for which they will receive a bill.

It’s best to start your private health insurance policy just before you arrive in Switzerland. If you have a coverage gap between your insurance at home and your new policy, this could leave you with out-of-pocket expenses in case of emergency.

Usually private health insurance policies are on an individual basis. If you want to cover a partner or family members, you can add them on when you build your policy. If you have several dependents, it’s worth shopping around for the best family plan.

When you first design a health insurance plan, you can choose what you will pay yourself and what the provider will pay. Which treatments your plan covers depends on if you’ve met your deductible, whether you have a provider network, and other factors.

Health insurance premiums are based on age, medical history, level of coverage needed, and whether you include extra benefits. Switzerland is considered the most expensive country in Europe in terms of healthcare costs, so premiums will be higher there than in other countries.

The claims process in Switzerland varies between insurers. Some deal directly with healthcare providers and pay bills on your behalf while others require you to pay upfront and send an invoice after. If you’re concerned about having to pay upfront, look for a provider who can sort out claims directly.

Most companies require you to pay medical fees upfront and then claim reimbursements from them, although some may have arrangements with healthcare providers to pay fees directly. Most Swiss insurers offer deals to reduce monthly payments. These can include discounts for paying in advance or lower premiums if you increase your excess.