Health insurance knowledge base | 9.11.2026
In Switzerland, supplementary health insurance covers benefits that are not included under basic health insurance, such as a private hospital room, orthodontic treatment or contributions towards fitness memberships. Find out which supplementary cover is advisable for you and what to consider before taking out a policy.
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Supplementary health insurance is optional in Switzerland and is intended to complement compulsory basic health insurance. Supplementary insurance can contribute towards:
Supplementary hospital insurance can also give you access to a greater level of comfort during a hospital stay as well as a wider choice of doctors and hospitals.
Basic and supplementary health insurance are governed by different regulations. While basic health insurance is regulated under the Swiss Health Insurance Act (HIA), supplementary insurance falls under the Insurance Policies Act (IPA).
Example: basic health insurance only covers up to 50% of transport and emergency rescue costs – up to 5,000 francs (max.) for emergency rescue costs and 500 francs for transport. Transport in an ambulance can easily cost over 1,000 francs, however. With supplementary hospital insurance, in the event of an emergency in Switzerland, you will be refunded the full transport costs and up to 20,000 francs in emergency rescue costs per event – provided that an inpatient hospital stay follows.
Basic health insurance is compulsory for anyone resident in Switzerland. It covers statutory benefits relating to illness and maternity, as well as accidents where no other accident insurance is in place.
The benefits available under basic health insurance are the same for all health insurers. Premiums, however, can vary, which is why it is worth comparing providers.
The supplementary insurance that’s right for you depends on your stage of life, your age and the benefits that matter most to you. Depending on your needs, you may wish to consider supplementary outpatient insurance, supplementary hospital insurance or supplementary dental insurance. The examples below illustrate when each type of cover may be beneficial.
Stefania Cortesi is a KPT product manager and passionately committed to the development of advanced health insurance products. She uses her extensive experience in product development, market analysis and trend monitoring to share valuable insights into the world of insurance solutions on our blog.
