The Swiss spend more from their own pockets for healthcare than any other nation, according to a survey for the price comparison website Comparis. Providers of supplementary health insurance are the biggest beneficiaries.
The ComparisExternal link survey found that out of CHF80 billion (USD 82 billion) health expenditure in 2016, the Swiss paid CHF24 billion themselves.
Since 2012, expenditure covered directly by households has continued to rise, it says. This includes CHF5.5 billion for retirement home care, CHF2.8 billion in dentists’ bills and 1.6 billion for medicines.
Whereas insurance companies’ revenue from supplementary healthcare premiums has continued to rise, pay-outs under supplementary schemes have risen only moderately. Between 2008 and 2016, revenue from premiums rose by CHF865 million to CHF6.6 billion, whereas health cost reimbursements to clients rose only CHF353 million to CHF4.7 billion, the survey found. The sector therefore made a healthy profit.
Basic health insurance is mandatory in Switzerland. Private companies must all offer the same basic coverage and are not allowed to make a profit on it. Their profits come from the supplementary schemes.
Economist Pius Gyger, the author of the Comparis report, says the needs of the population go well beyond basic healthcare coverage, and a high number of Swiss are prepared to pay for supplementary schemes.
But Comparis health insurance expert Felix Schneuwly says insurers need to be innovative, otherwise they may start to lose this lucrative market.
Popular Stories
More
Swiss Abroad
The citizenship obstacle course facing spouses of Swiss Abroad
What factors should be taken into account when inheriting Swiss citizenship abroad?
Should there be a limit to the passing on of Swiss citizenship? Or is the current practice too strict and it should still be possible to register after the age of 25?
Swiss nomadic people were victims of crimes against humanity, says government
This content was published on
The persecution of Sinti and Yenish in Switzerland in the 20th century is a crime against humanity according to current international law.
Swiss court finds ex-Gunvor executive guilty of corruption
This content was published on
The Swiss Federal Criminal Court sentenced a former executive at Gunvor oil trading group to a 24-month suspended prison sentence.
Young adults feel increasingly helpless, finds Swiss generation survey
This content was published on
Young adults in Switzerland believe they have less influence on the future development of society according to the latest Generation Barometer.
Swiss 2024 wine harvest was poor due to weather conditions
This content was published on
The 2024 wine harvest was the second worst in the last 50 years due to unfavorable weather conditions such as frost and hail.
Swiss Red Cross fails to recognise foreign osteopathy diplomas
This content was published on
The Swiss Red Cross did not adhere to the guidelines set by the court when examining foreign qualifications of an osteopathy training.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Is Swiss healthcare working?
This content was published on
In an era where health care is a subject of debate in many countries, is the Swiss system serving those on moderate to low incomes?
Caring for those who cannot afford health coverage
This content was published on
Although public assistance is available to those struggling to pay for care, in the end not everyone is able to get the treatment they need.
This content was published on
Preventive medicine is a big piece of the health care puzzle, yet has not always gotten the attention – or resources – it deserves.
This content was published on
Premiums for people under 18 will likely rise by 5%, and residents of western Switzerland are expected to be hit especially hard. For example, the rate is expected to go up by 6.4% in canton Vaud, and 5.4% in canton Geneva. At the other end of the spectrum, health insurance for people in canton Schwyz in…
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.