Paul Sanchez
Switzerland has one of the best healthcare systems in the world, with high scores in accessibility, health outcomes, and staffing. The country also has the highest density of nurses within the OECD, with about 17 nurses per thousand people. The Swiss healthcare system is unique in that it is not financed through taxation or employer contributions. Instead, it relies on mandatory health insurance for all residents, with 60 non-profit insurers offering basic health insurance plans that cover a large proportion (80-90%) of medical expenses. While TRICARE Select Overseas may be an option for Americans living in Switzerland, it is unclear if this insurance is widely accepted in the country.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Is Tricare accepted in Switzerland? | Tricare Select Overseas may be an option for those living outside of the US. |
| Healthcare in Switzerland | The Swiss healthcare system is considered one of the best in the world, with high accessibility, health outcomes, and staffing. |
| Insurance in Switzerland | Insurance is private and mandatory for all residents. Basic insurance is required to be offered to everyone, with the same universal coverage, and cannot make a profit. Supplemental insurance is also available. |
| Costs | Patients pay part of the cost of treatment. There is an annual deductible of 300-2500 Swiss Francs, and patients cover 10% of most medical costs, up to 700 Francs a year. |
| Tourists | Tourists from outside the EU/EFTA/UK must have adequate health insurance, with a minimum coverage of EUR 30,000. |
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What You'll Learn
TRICARE Select Overseas
To be eligible for TRICARE Select Overseas, you must be registered in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS). This is a database of information on uniformed service members, sponsors, and their families.
If you are a retiree, you will be required to pay a monthly TRICARE Select Overseas enrollment fee to maintain your coverage. You will also be responsible for paying an annual deductible and copayments each calendar year. You can pay via allotment, or set up recurring payments via credit/debit card or electronic funds transfer.
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Switzerland's healthcare system
Switzerland has the highest density of nurses within the OECD, with approximately 17 nurses per thousand people. The country spends a high percentage of its GDP on healthcare, which is expected to reach 12.2% by 2026, and its residents spend, on average, nearly 10% of their salary on health insurance costs. This is due in part to the fact that healthcare providers must charge more money from private individuals to cover their business expenses and high standard medical costs. Generic drugs are also uncommon in Switzerland, which drives up costs for residents.
In 2007, the Swiss Federal Government approved a national strategy for the adoption of e-health, with a central element being a nationwide electronic health record. The Federal Act on the Electronic Patient Record came into force on 15 April 2017, but the records were not universally available until 2020.
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Mandatory health insurance
Switzerland's universal healthcare system is highly decentralised, with the cantons (or states) playing a key role in its operation. The system is funded through enrollee premiums, taxes (mostly cantonal), social insurance contributions, and out-of-pocket payments. Switzerland's mandatory health insurance program accounted for 5.3% of total health expenditures in 2016.
Residents of Switzerland are required by law to purchase insurance from private nonprofit insurers within three months of taking up residence. Each family member, adult or child, must be individually insured. The Swiss Federal Department of Home Affairs formally defines the mandatory health insurance benefit basket, evaluating whether services are appropriate and cost-effective. The Federal Office of Public Health and Swissmedic, the agency that authorises and supervises therapeutic products, support this task.
The mandatory health insurance covers most physician visits, hospital care, pharmaceuticals, devices, home care, medical services in long-term care, and physiotherapy. In addition to deductibles, insured persons pay 10% coinsurance for all services, with a cap of CHF 700 (USD 579) per year for adults and CHF 350 (USD 289) for children up to 18 years of age. For brand-name drugs with generic alternatives, a 20% coinsurance fee is charged instead of 10%. There is also an additional CHF 15 (USD 12) copayment per inpatient day for hospital stays.
Maternity care and some preventive services, such as mammograms and colorectal cancer screenings, are fully covered and exempt from deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments. Children or young adults in school (up to age 25) are exempt from copayments for inpatient care.
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Basic health insurance
Switzerland has a high standard of healthcare, with the World Health Organization ranking it 20th in the world. The country also ranks first on the 2018 European Health Consumer Index. The Swiss healthcare system is known for its accessibility, health outcomes, and staffing, with the highest density of nurses within the OECD.
Expats and foreigners in Switzerland are recommended to get private top-up insurance, also known as complementary or supplemental insurance. This type of insurance provides additional coverage for things not typically covered by basic insurance, such as dental, optical, and mental health treatments. It also allows access to more medical facilities, a broader range of treatments, and private room services in hospitals.
For tourists visiting Switzerland from outside the EU/EFTA/UK, it is mandatory to have adequate health insurance coverage. Travel insurance that covers essential medical treatment in Switzerland is recommended. Additionally, those who require a Schengen visa must take out private medical insurance providing a minimum coverage of EUR 30,000. Tourists from the EU/EFTA/UK are entitled to receive medical treatment during their visits to Switzerland and can use their statutory health insurance cover or the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) to access reduced-cost or free medical care.
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International health insurance
When considering international health insurance, it is important to review your current health insurance plan to understand what kind of coverage you have and whether it includes benefits for medical expenses incurred internationally. If you are unsure, it may be a warning sign, and you should consider purchasing a travel medical insurance policy to fill in the gaps.
Some reputable companies offering international health insurance include Cigna, which provides international medical plans with access to a global support network of hospitals and medical professionals in over 200 markets and territories worldwide, and Allianz, which offers international health insurance with a growing network of over 2 million medical providers and a 24/7 multilingual helpline and emergency assistance.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Tricare Select Overseas is accepted in Switzerland. However, it is recommended that expats and foreigners get private top-up insurance from international insurance providers to cover additional costs.
The Swiss healthcare system is considered one of the best in the world, with high scores in accessibility, health outcomes, and staffing. Switzerland has one of the largest private healthcare sectors in the world, with 60 non-profit insurers offering basic health insurance options.
Basic health insurance covers a large proportion (80-90%) of medical expenses. It is regulated by the Swiss Federal Law on Health Insurance, so insurers cannot profit from selling them and must provide universal coverage.
Private top-up insurance provides access to more medical facilities, a broader range of treatments outside basic insurance coverage, and private room services in hospitals. It also covers areas like dental, optical, and mental health treatments, which are not adequately covered by basic insurance.
