Greetings,
The Swiss health insurance system is similar to that of the U.S. in that insurance is provided by private health insurance companies.
In Switzerland, having basic health insurance is required by law. All residents must hold a basic health insurance policy and because of this, insurance companies are prohibited from rejecting applications for compulsory health insurance coverage. No medical checks are needed because this health insurance covers all medical expenses regardless of pre-existing medical conditions. In this way, the Swiss health insurance system is very different to that of the U.S.
These compulsory policies are provided by many different insurance companies, but the benefits and coverage are dictated by law and are identical regardless of which insurance company issues your policy.
However, premiums, customer service and claim settlement methods vary between insurance providers. Premiums are comparable to those you pay for similar coverage in the U.S. but there are major differences in the premiums charged by different insurance providers for the same compulsory coverage. You can compare the premiums of compulsory Swiss health insurance policies and find customer satisfaction ratings in the moneyland.ch health insurance comparison.
You can freely add your family members to the comparison to find the best deal on coverage. Some Swiss insurance providers discount premiums for your second child onwards. You can also take out policies from different insurance companies for different family members.
Compared to health insurance in the U.S., the basic, obligatory Swiss health insurance coverage is quite comprehensive, providing virtually unlimited coverage for standard medical care plus international medical coverage and many other benefits. You can find an overview of the coverage you get from compulsory Swiss health insurance here.
You can choose annual deductibles between 300 and 2500 Swiss francs (your premiums will adjust accordingly) for adults, and between 0 and 600 francs for children. A coinsurance payment of 10% applies, but only up to a maximum of 750 francs per year (350 francs per year for children). A 15-franc daily copayment is required for hospital stays (waived for maternity stays). No excess and no caps apply - coverage is unlimited.
If you want additional coverage, like extended cover for medical emergencies while visiting the U.S., dental benefits, fitness and prevention benefits and extended coverage for alternative medical treatments, you can get these from one of the many supplementary health insurance policies offered by Swiss insurers (you can compare supplemental health insurance policies here).
Supplemental hospital insurance policies extend the coverage you recieve from compulsory health insurance and (in the case of semi-private or private ward insurance policies) cover treatment at private clinics which are not covered by compulsory insurance. You can compare Swiss supplementary hospital insurance policies here.
Note that - in the case of non-compulsory health insurance - insurers are not obligated to take you on as a customer. With these policies, conditions for acceptance and exclusions for pre-existing medical conditions are similar to those which apply to most U.S. health insurance policies.
Best regards from Moneyguru
More on this topic:
How does Swiss health insurance compare internationally?
Swiss health insurance for guests
Swiss health insurance deductibles explained
International health insurance for expats
