Cost assumption by health insurance | 1.6.2026
Massages are not covered under basic health insurance, but with a supplementary insurance product such as Pulse, you can recover some of the costs. An insurance expert explains when massages are recognised under health insurance and the contributions you can receive.
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“If you do not want to bear the full costs of a massage yourself, supplementary insurance can help.”
Basic health insurance does not cover the costs of massages, even in the event of health problems.
In the case of musculoskeletal disorders or restrictions, health insurance instead often pays for medically prescribed physiotherapy as this form of treatment is included in the list of benefits covered by basic health insurance.
Even if massage treatment alleviates pain or significantly improves well-being, health insurance still does not cover even medical massage as it is not classed as a statutory benefit.
Depending on the health insurer and insurance model, supplementary insurance covers some of the costs of massages.
Pulse supplementary outpatient insurance from KPT covers benefits for health and prevention, not only including general massage but also further recognised therapy methods such as foot reflexology massage and manual lymph drainage:
The amount a health insurer will pay towards a massage depends on the level of cover selected. Supplementary insurance is particularly worthwhile if you wish to receive regular massages.
Different deductible policies apply to supplementary insurance depending on the health insurer and insurance type. The deductible is the amount you need to pay each year before health insurance will cover any costs.
At KPT, Pulse Top and Premium supplementary insurance are subject to a deductible of 100 francs per year for complementary medicine treatments. There is no deductible in relation to massages.
Basic health insurance does not cover massages, but you can receive contributions towards massages and other recognised therapy methods by taking out Pulse Top or Pulse Premium supplementary outpatient insurance. You will also benefit from contributions towards fitness activities, check-ups, glasses and more.
For a health insurer to recognise and pay for a massage, certain criteria must be fulfilled.
The following conditions apply to Pulse Top and Pulse Premium supplementary outpatient insurance:
These conditions enable you to rest assured that you are in good hands – and the therapy will be performed professionally by a qualified person in line with the latest medical standards – for the good of your health and well-being.
The easiest way to determine whether a massage will be recognised by a health insurer is to contact the health insurer itself. The following directories are used by many health insurers:
These provide details of recognised therapists near you.
Massage costs will only be reimbursed under Pulse Top and Premium supplementary insurance if the therapist is EMR or ASCA certified or the therapy has been conducted by a medical specialist with a Swiss federal diploma. Avoid unexpected costs by checking whether your massage therapist is listed prior to booking an appointment.
The claim process for massage therapy is very straightforward if you have supplementary insurance. If you have Pulse supplementary insurance with KPT, proceed as follows:
Tip: ensure that the bill is complete (including method, date and therapist number). This avoids queries and enables your refund to be processed quicker.
In her role as Head of the Benefits Management team at KPT, Céline Luginbühl is responsible for the clear, proper and customer-oriented handling of complex benefits matters. As the central contact for benefit-related enquiries and regulatory changes, she lends her expertise to internal and external committees and actively contributes to the further development of the Benefits area.
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