Guide to health insurance for foreign students in Switzerland
Winterthur, Switzerland, May 3, 2022, ZEXPRWIRE, In Switzerland, health insurance is compulsory for all students, including international students who are completing their degree or part of it. Swiss health insurance could be daunting for students on a tight budget who are unhappy with Swiss prices.
A 20-year-old in Zurich, for example, would pay between CHF 332 and CHF 527.70 per month for basic insurance with accident insurance and a deductible of CHF 300 in 2021 (depending on the insurer used). According to the interactive Swiss health insurance comparison, even the cheapest policy (managed care with a deductible of CHF 2,500) would cost the same young adult between CHF 183.80 and CHF 347 per month.
Is it possible for international students to avoid the cost of Swiss health insurance?
According to the Swiss Health Insurance Act, international students can apply for an exemption from Swiss compulsory health insurance for up to 6 years. However, the prerequisite for an exemption is health insurance that is equivalent to the mandatory Swiss health insurance (KVG). Our guide to compulsory health insurance in Switzerland is a good place to start when comparing insurance.
Students have three months from their arrival in Switzerland to take out compulsory Swiss health insurance or to present a foreign insurance with similar insurance coverage for an exemption. To apply for an exemption, a copy of the health insurance policy must be sent to the health department of the canton of residence.
On average, Swiss people spend around 10% of their income on health insurance. An online health insurance comparison tool PrimApp is very popular. Available in English, Frenchand ItalianPrimApp is the best tool to find cheap health insurance.
Swiss insurance companies offer insurance for students abroad.
As an alternative, several Swiss insurance companies offer individual insurance policies that are exclusively tailored to international students.
In most cantons, these policies are usually an alternative to compulsory Swiss health insurance. Nevertheless, the tariffs are significantly cheaper than those of the Swiss compulsory health insurance companies. The cheapest international student health insurance plans are almost ten times cheaper than the most expensive Swiss compulsory health insurance plans, with premiums averaging a third of Swiss compulsory health insurance.
Academic supervision of Groupe Mutuel
Students staying in Switzerland temporarily have access to a major Swiss health insurance company. There are no co-insurance payments, and deductibles range from 0 to 500 francs (typical mandatory Swiss health plans have deductibles between 300 and 2500 francs) (in contrast to standard Swiss compulsory insurance, which has a 10 percent compensatory payment up to an annual cap of 700). francs).
This insurance offers the same basic insurance protection as Swiss compulsory insurance. In addition, you receive legal health insurance worth up to CHF 300,000 per case and life insurance worth CHF 10,000 in the form of an accidental death benefit.
SWICA student support
SWICA, a major Swiss health insurer, offers international students Student Care Policies that cover the same benefits as Swiss compulsory health insurance. You have a deductible of 300 or 500 francs at your disposal. In contrast to statutory health insurance, co-insurance is not required. For international students between the ages of 19 and 25 residing in Zurich, the monthly premiums are 91.70 francs (500 francs franchise) or 96 francs (300 francs franchise). Students aged 26 to 35 pay CHF 114.60 per month for the model with the highest deductible. The premiums may be higher for students from other cantons.
Swiss brokers sell student health insurance from international insurers to students.
Golden Care Student Cover
Golder Care, a Swiss international health insurance, is an option for international students that is recognized as mandatory health insurance. This option is available to students studying in those cantons where Golden Care’s student coverage is recognized as equivalent to KVG.
Kane PCC Global Health and Accident Cell, a UK insurance company, underwrites the policies. This insurance includes coverage of up to CHF 1 million, direct settlement of hospital and accident bills, and coverage for hospital stays and outpatient treatment abroad. In Switzerland, the deductible for care corresponds to the mandatory Swiss health insurance (you choose between 300 and 2500 francs). A deductible of CHF 75 per claim applies to all other reimbursed medical costs.
There is no promise of acceptance
Although these policies offer coverage comparable to mandatory health insurance, they are private, voluntary health insurance plans. These insurers do not have to approve your application (the Swiss health insurance companies are obliged to do so).
Your application may be denied if you are not in the best of health or if the insurer considers you to be at high risk for other reasons. However, you still need to take out normal Swiss health insurance and this will be more expensive than private international student insurance.
Conclusion
I hope this article has helped improve your understanding of the health insurance options available to foreign students in Switzerland. International students can apply for an exemption from Swiss compulsory health insurance if they have an equivalent policy. Different exemption regulations apply to students from EU/EFTA countries than to students from other countries.