How to Talk Health Insurance at the Swiss Table

We’re happy to be back with a new version of our dinner table series. This time we’re in Switzerland, and here are the assumptions that ClareFolio made to help you understand the Swiss health insurance system and its rules.

Covered individuals. Our dinner table assumes four families with a total of 10 individuals. Health insurance is compulsory in Switzerland, so everyone has to buy at least basic coverage:

• One single adult (30 years old) with no health issues.
• One single parent (40 years old) with two healthy children and a tight income.
• Two parents (40 and 50 years old) with two children, one of whom has asthma.
• Elderly couple (60 and 70 years old) with medical conditions that require hospitalization.

Basic premiums. While insurance carriers are allowed to set rates based on age and community, the calculator applies the same rate to each adult ($350) and each child ($50). It also applies the same rate regardless of insurance carrier (e.g., Alpha, etc.). ClareFolio chose these values after evaluating basic rates for different ages (e.g., 30, etc.) among carriers in the Davos neighborhood of Platz (7270) on www.priminfo.com.

Personal choices. The calculator provides four scenarios for each family; the scenarios were set at “no”, and a user can change any of the four to “yes.”

• Increase the basic plan’s deductible from $500 to $1,000. The calculator applies 10 percent decrease per adult for increasing the deductible; the child deductible was fixed at $0.
• Select Primary Care Physician to manage care. The calculator applies 10 percent decrease to the basic coverage rates of $350 ($35) per adult and $50 ($5) per child.
• Buy supplemental dental & vision plan. The calculator applies 10 percent increase to the basic coverage rates of $350 ($35) per adult and $50 ($5) per child.
• Buy supplemental private-room plan. The calculator applies 10 percent increase to the basic coverage rates of $350 ($35) per adult and $50 ($5) per child.

Insurance subsidies. Subsidies are available in Switzerland for low-income individuals and families; however, the calculator assumes that no family qualified for them.

Family options. While family members can make different choices, the calculator assumes that they are covered by the same carrier and plan; the calculator also didn’t apply a family discount.

Pre-existing conditions. Carriers must accept everyone for basic coverage; they may decline new supplemental coverage to individuals with pre-existing conditions. The couple was assumed to be an existing customer.

Actuarial science. Actuaries are some of our favorite people. They price health insurance for a living, and it is best left to them. Our results are illustrative; they are not actuarially sound.

ClareFolio’s disclaimer. All content in “How to Talk Health Insurance at the Swiss Table” is for informational purposes. It is not to be used for decision making. Please refer to ClareFolio’s Legal and Privacy policies.

The picture is of Davos (Platz), Switzerland; otherwise, all rights are reserved by ClareFolio.