Definition of mandatory health insurance (OKP)

Mandatory health insurance, usually known as basic insurance, reimburses examinations and treatments for illness, accident and maternity. In accordance with the Swiss Health Insurance Act (KVG/HIA) , these must be effective, expedient and economical.

Do all mandatory health insurance providers offer the same benefits?

Yes, Swiss health insurers are obliged by law to cover the same benefits under basic insurance.

In addition to the  standard model (free choice of doctors, deductible of CHF 300), Sanitas offers several alternative insurance models (AIM) for basic insurance. Find out here which model suits you.

How high are the premiums?

Basic insurance premiums depend on a number of factors:

  • Place of residence
  • Age
  • Insurance model (e.g. family doctor, HMO, telemedicine)
  • Deductible

You can use the  Sanitas premium calculator  to calculate your premium directly for different deductibles and insurance models.

Are health insurers allowed to refuse new customers under basic insurance (OKP)?

No, health insurers are obliged to accept every applicant into basic insurance without restrictions, regardless of age, sex and state of health.

With  supplementary insurance plans, on the other hand, health insurers are allowed to reject applications or apply  restrictions based on their state of health.