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What you need to know
Health insurance: Important information on pregnancy and birth
You’re expecting a baby? Congratulations! Find out here how we support you during this special time.
You’re expecting a baby?
Congratulations! Let us know if you’re pregnant, because basic insurance covers the cost of certain check-ups.
From the 13th week of pregnancy until 8 weeks after the birth, you do not have to pay a deductible or copayment under basic insurance if you are sick. This does not apply to medical check-ups and dental treatment.
What costs are covered under basic insurance?
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From check-ups to childbirth on the general hospital ward, basic insurance provides solid medical care for expectant mums.
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During pregnancy
- 7 check-ups and 2 ultrasound scans for a pregnancy without complications
- First-trimester test to calculate the risk of trisomy 21, 18 or 13
- Additional check-ups and ultrasound scans for high-risk pregnancies – for example in case of an increased family or trisomy risk, abnormal ultrasound findings or if the mother is sick.
- CHF 150 towards a childbirth course (individual or group course) conducted by a midwife
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During the birth
- Full coverage of costs for hospitalisation on the general ward in a multi-bed room in the canton of residence or in a hospital outside the canton of residence (provided it is on the hospital list of the canton of residence)
- Cover for the baby if it is healthy and remains with the mother in hospital. If the baby is sick, the baby’s insurance covers the costs.
- For an emergency birth abroad: Maximum of twice the tariff of the canton of residence
- Full costs covered for caesarean section
- Birth in a birth centre when it is on the hospital list of your canton of residence. With home births, the costs of a midwife are covered
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After-birth care
- 3 breastfeeding advice sessions conducted by a midwife or a specially trained nursing professional
- 1 check-up between the 6th and 10th week after the birth
- 16 visits by a midwife for the first child, 10 visits from the second child
Good to know
At birth, the mother’s insurance pays the costs of the hospital stay, provided the newborn is healthy. If complications arise and the baby needs hospital treatment, the baby’s insurance will pay for it.
What costs do supplementary insurance plans cover?
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With supplementary outpatient insurance or hospital insurance, the costs are covered for many important parent-child courses and you enjoy more peace and quiet and greater comfort in hospital.
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Supplementary outpatient insurance
During pregnancy:
- Courses such as antenatal exercise classes, childbirth course (in addition to courses covered by basic insurance) and preparing for parenthood course.
During the birth:
- Birth or adoption daily benefits: From CHF 200 to CHF 1,000 per day and per birth or adoption (see Vital supplementary terms)
After the birth:
- Parent-child gymnastics, once per child and postnatal gymnastics
- Baby swimming in first year
- Neurodermitis parent training, once per child
- Baby and child first aid course, once per child and provided the course is held by a Samaritan association in Switzerland or by the Swiss Red Cross · 1 extra ultrasound and 1 check-up per pregnancy (provided by a doctor or midwife)
- Milk substitute for children under the age of two who cannot tolerate mothers’ milk, provided this is medically prescribed
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Supplementary hospital insurance
Basic insurance covers the cost of hospitalisation on the general ward in a multi-bed room. The Hospital supplementary hospital inpatient insurance plan gives you more privacy, which is important, especially shortly after giving birth.
Registration before birth: the best protection for your baby
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You can register your baby for mandatory basic insurance up to 3 months after the birth. Health insurers are legally obliged to admit your baby to basic insurance. For supplementary insurance, however, it is advisable to register your child before birth.
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Registration before birth
Your child is admitted to supplementary insurance without a health check and therefore without restrictions. The insurance comes into force after birth. With Sanitas this is only possible for:
* One parent must have held the same supplementary hospital insurance plan for at least 9 months prior to the application.
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Registration after the birth
If you wait until after the birth to apply for supplementary insurance for your baby, your application may be rejected, because a health check is mandatory for supplementary insurance plans. For example, if your baby is born with a congenital defect, it is usually either rejected from supplementary insurance cover outright or accepted subject to restrictions. Congenital defects are covered by invalidity insurance (IV).
Register your baby before the birth
Take out our supplementary insurance plans for your baby before the birth – for peace of mind thanks to comprehensive cover.
Our maternity services – from planning a family to the first months with your baby
Our maternity services offer support and advice all the way from planning a family to your child’s first birthday. The maternity services are available exclusively to Sanitas customers and include:
- Newsletter with helpful information on planning a family, pregnancy and the first months with your baby
- Customer Care Maternity hotline for health insurance advice: 0844 160 160
- Medical hotline exclusively for expectant mothers: 0844 110 110
- Exclusive offers for you and surprise gifts for your baby
Sign up when you’re interested in starting a family.
Support in the event of child loss
The loss of a child during pregnancy is heart-breaking, but we’re also here to help in difficult situations. We work with the experts of kindsverlust.ch. They offer free advice or can help you find a specialist near you.
Frequently asked questions
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Are childbirth courses covered by health insurance?
Basic insurance pays CHF 150 towards group or individual childbirth courses conducted by midwives.
The Vital Smart and Vital Premium supplementary insurance plans as well as the Classic, Family and Jump plans pay additional costs towards a childbirth course. Vital Smart and Premium also contribute towards the costs of online courses, e.g. via video link, provided there are no restrictions in terms of quality or safety.
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Are antenatal exercise classes covered by health insurance?
Basic insurance does not contribute to the costs of antenatal exercise classes.
The Vital Smart and Vital Premium categories of the Vital supplementary insurance solution cover the costs of antenatal exercise classes. Courses via video link are also covered under supplementary insurance, provided there are no restrictions in terms of quality or safety. The closed Classic, Family and Jump plans also contribute to antenatal exercise classes.
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Are postnatal exercise classes covered by health insurance?
Basic insurance does not contribute to the costs of postnatal exercise classes.
The Vital Smart and Vital Premium categories of the Vital supplementary insurance solution cover the costs of postnatal exercise classes. Courses via video link are also covered under supplementary insurance, provided there are no restrictions in terms of quality or safety. The closed Classic, Family and Jump plans also contribute to antenatal exercise classes (with the exception of online courses).
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What does the waiting period for pregnancy mean?
Waiting period means that you have to wait a defined period of time after taking out supplementary insurance before the insurance cover comes into force. Sanitas supplementary insurance plans have to be taken out at least 9 months before pregnancy in order to cover pregnancy and birth costs, but also benefits such as the parental/adoption allowance. The date of receipt of the application applies.
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Does Sanitas cover the cost of a stay in a birth centre?
Please get in touch. Cost coverage in a birth centre is clarified individually.