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Healthcare insurance is mandatory since the 1st January 1996. It follows the rules from the Law on Medical Insurance (Loi sur l'Assurance Maladie - LAMal).

Premium on medical insurance in Switzerland are very expensive. Contributions have to be paid monthly. Their amount varies according to the age of the people covered (+ or - 25) and according to the amount of the franchise, annual amount that you choose and that is not reimbursed. In the LAMal, the minimal franchise is 300 CHF/year. The subscriber can choose an higher franchise (up to 2500 CHF), and that will lower the price of the premium (the lower the franchise, the more expensive the insurance premium). Be careful, you will need to be able to pay for this franchise in case of health problem.

In order to get a refund, you must send your GP and pharmacy bills (the original document always) to your medical fund, and keep a copy of the documents sent. The fund will reimburse up to 90% (10% being the your share - maximum of 100 CHF) if you have already paid your franchise.

Example: Your annual franchise is 300 CHF. If, the first time of the year you go to the doctor, your bill is 500 CHF, you will pay 300 + 10% x 500 = 350 CHF. The next time, you will have only 10% to pay as you have already used all your franchise.

For the hospital, the share is 10 CHF/day for single people.