Basic and Supplementary Insurance at Different Insurers: What You Need to Know
You can take out basic and supplementary insurance at different insurers. Compando explains when splitting pays off and what to note when switching.
1. Can I take out basic and supplementary insurance at different insurers?
Yes. In Switzerland, there is no obligation to keep basic insurance and supplementary insurance with the same insurer. The technical term for the separation is "splitting".
Both are possible: switch basic insurance and keep supplementary insurance, or switch supplementary insurance and keep basic insurance.
Background of the separation: In the Swiss health insurance system, basic and supplementary insurance are legally separated. Basic insurance runs under KVG with identical benefits at all providers and acceptance guarantee. Supplementary insurance runs under VVG with contractual freedom; after a health questionnaire, the insurer can reject your application or set a policy restriction.
Supplementary insurance compared
The benefits of supplementary insurance differ between providers and products. Compando shows the conditions and coverage of all Swiss providers in comparison.
2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of separating basic and supplementary insurance?
Advantages of the separation
Basic insurance can be switched to another insurer every year without endangering the supplementary insurance. The separation is one of several possibilities to save on health insurance premiums. Depending on place of residence, insurance model and deductible, a premium difference of CHF 400 to CHF 1'200 per year results.
Example: A 38-year-old person from Bern with deductible CHF 2'500 pays in the family doctor model at insurer A around CHF 350 per month for basic insurance. At insurer B in the same model it is around CHF 290 per month. The supplementary insurance at insurer A remains in place. The separation reduces the annual premium by around CHF 720.
In addition, a supplementary insurance suitable for your needs can be chosen without being restricted to the products of the previous insurer.
Premiums by place of residence and age
The premium differences between insurers reach up to CHF 1'200 per year. The exact amount for your place of residence and your age is shown by the comparison.
Disadvantages of the separation
Risk of double insurance when switching
With every insurance switch, the risk of a double insurance exists. In basic insurance, you may be insured only at one insurer. With supplementary insurance and accident insurance, a double insurance occurs more frequently because it is not automatically checked. Ensure that the application at the new insurer exclusively contains basic insurance.
Important: You terminate an existing supplementary insurance only after the written, unrestricted acceptance confirmation of the new insurer. Otherwise a coverage gap threatens for hospital, dental or complementary medicine.
3. How does the reimbursement of doctor's costs work with different insurers?
Do you keep basic and supplementary insurance at different insurers? Then the reimbursement of your doctor's costs follows a standardised procedure in three steps:
- Invoice to basic insurance: Submit the invoice first to basic insurance. This checks the legally covered benefits (KVG), e.g. a doctor's bill of CHF 500.
- Receive benefits statement: Basic insurance issues a benefits statement with information on remuneration, cost participation and not covered costs. Example: with exhausted deductible, basic insurance pays CHF 450, CHF 50 fall on the co-payment (10 percent).
- Forward to supplementary insurance: Forward not covered costs together with the benefits statement to supplementary insurance. This covers remaining costs (single room, glasses, complementary medicine), provided insured.
Compando tip: Pure benefits of supplementary insurance such as dental cleaning, complementary medicine or travel costs you submit directly to supplementary insurance. Bills from the family doctor's practice, pharmacy or laboratory usually run alone via basic insurance, without additional effort. With direct billing by the practice, the indication of basic insurance suffices; the supplementary insurance you submit subsequently yourself.
Health insurance premiums for your region
Health insurance premiums differ between providers. In the comparison you see the current premiums of all insurers for your place of residence and your age.
