Healthcare
Switzerland — Healthcare: Private Insurance
Basic health insurance (KVG/LAMal) is mandatory for people resident in Switzerland, and insurers must accept every applicant regardless of age or health, with no health questionnaire, conditions or waiting periods. Supplementary insurance is different: it is governed by the Insurance Contract Act (VVG), is optional, and the insurer may ask about your health, attach conditions or reject your application. A ch.ch guide says you will usually have to complete a health questionnaire before an insurer approves supplementary cover, and your answers set the conditions. Some people can ask for an exemption from the basic-insurance requirement.
Why this matters
Supplementary insurance is the main lever for hospital comfort and doctor choice in Switzerland's system, but because it involves health underwriting (unlike basic insurance, which must accept everyone), waiting to buy it after a health issue emerges can mean permanent exclusions or outright refusal.
Key facts
- Basic insurance is mandatory for people resident in Switzerland, and insurers must accept every applicant regardless of age or health.
- A health questionnaire cannot be required for basic insurance.
- Supplementary insurance is optional and governed by the VVG; insurers may ask about health, attach conditions or reject applicants.
- Some people can request an exemption from the basic-insurance requirement.
Steps
- Assess what basic insurance doesn't cover — Identify gaps: private room, doctor choice, dental, alternative medicine, travel coverage.
- Apply early — Apply for supplementary coverage before any health issues arise, since underwriting can exclude pre-existing conditions.
- Complete a health questionnaire — Insurers typically require a health declaration; be accurate to avoid future claim denial for non-disclosure.
- Compare across insurers — Basic and supplementary policies can be split across different providers to get the best combination of price and coverage.
Common mistakes
- Waiting to buy supplementary cover until you are ill — insurers can decline or add exclusions.