Costs covered

for alternative medical treatments

Alternative medicine: costs covered by Sanitas

Complementary and alternative medicine supplement conventional medicine with holistic therapies. When Sanitas covers the costs.


Over 30,000 therapists

Including acupuncture, Ayurveda, chiropractic treatment, homoeopathy and osteopathy. 


135 therapy methods

Vital supplementary insurance covers numerous alternative therapies.


Acupuncture

Basic insurance pays in case of illness or accident. Otherwise, Vital Premium supplementary insurance covers 80% of the costs.

What is alternative or complementary medicine?

In alternative and complementary medicine, the focus is on the person as a whole. The methods supplement or replace conventional medicine. Alternative medicine includes Ayurveda, homoeopathy, traditional Chinese medicine and European naturopathy. Depending on the definition, complementary medicine includes body and relaxation-based treatment methods such as osteopathy and kinesiology. 

Cost share for alternative medicine

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  • What costs are covered under basic insurance?

    Basic insurance pays for certain alternative and complementary therapies – within the limits of your chosen deductible and in addition to the copayment:

    • Acupuncture
    • Anthroposophic medicine
    • Medicines prescribed by traditional Chinese medicine (TCM)
    • Classic homoeopathy
    • Phytotherapy or botanical medicine

    Conditions


    • Treatment is required due to an accident or illness. 
    • A medical doctor with a certificate of competence in the relevant discipline (FMH) must provide the treatment.
    • The maximum treatment time is 180 minutes within 6 months. 
    • The therapist charges according to the Tarmed tariff.

     

  • What costs are covered by supplementary insurance?

    The Smart and Premium categories of our Vital supplementary insurance cover additional alternative and complementary therapy methods and pays higher costs than basic insurance.

    • Vital Basic: no costs covered
    • Vital Smart: Choice of cost share by Sanitas of 80% up to CHF 2,500 or 80% up to CHF 5,000 per calendar year (including up to either CHF 250 or CHF 500 for massages depending on the chosen level)
    • Vital Premium: 80% up to CHF 10,000 per calendar year (including up to CHF 750 for massages)
    • Jump*: 80% of costs, max. CHF 1,500 per calendar year
    • Classic*: 80% of costs, max. CHF 5,000 per calendar year
    • Family*: 80% of costs, maximum amount as per benefit account

    * The Jump, Classic and Family supplementary insurance plans can no longer be taken out. Existing customers continue to enjoy the usual benefits.

    Conditions


    • The alternative or complementary treatment is medically necessary.
    • The therapy method is recognised by Sanitas.
    • The therapist is recognised by Sanitas.

What costs does Sanitas cover?

The Cover Check in the Sanitas Portal shows you at the click of a button which costs are covered by Sanitas.

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Downloads

  • Recognised therapy methods for alternative medicine (Vital)
  • List of recognised therapy methods for alternative medicine (Classic, Jump, Family, Natura)
  • Tariff 590 (guide for healthcare providers)