Switzerland Health Information
| European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland: If you or any of your dependants are suddenly taken ill or have an accident during a visit to an EEA country or Switzerland, free or reduced-cost necessary treatment is available – in most cases on production of a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Each country has different rules about state medical provision. In some, treatment is free. In many countries you will have to pay part or all of the cost, and then claim a full or partial refund. The EHIC gives access to state-provided medical treatment only and the scheme gives no entitlement to medical repatriation costs, nor does it cover ongoing illnesses of a non-urgent nature, so comprehensive travel insurance is advised. Note that the EHIC replaces the Form E111, which is no longer valid. Some restrictions apply, depending on your nationality. Nationals of Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Iceland, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Malta, Norway, Poland, the Slovak Republic and Slovenia are not covered by the EHIC in Switzerland. People who do not have UK, EU or EEA nationality are not covered. Medical facilities in Switzerland are among the best in Europe, but treatment is expensive. You will normally have to pay the full costs for treatment and services and claim a refund afterwards. You will have to pay a fixed charge for each 30-day period of treatment. This is known as the ’excess charge’ or ’patient’s contribution’ and is not refunded. It is recommended that all visitors take out adequate private travel insurance. Go to any doctor registered with the Swiss health insurance scheme. Dental treatment is not covered unless it results from serious illness or accident. If required, you will normally be referred to a public hospital by a doctor. In an emergency, go directly to the emergency department of any public hospital. In-patient treatment in a general ward of a public hospital is covered, but not in a semi-private or private ward, or in a private hospital. As well as the excess charge, you will have to pay a small, non-refundable, fixed daily in-patient charge for the cost of board and accommodation. You will have to pay 50 per cent of the costs of ambulance transport within Switzerland, including air ambulance. Various leaflets giving information on health spas and clinics are available from Switzerland Tourism (see Top Things To Do). More information can be obtained from Gemeinsame Einrichtung KVG (Common Institution), Gibelinstrasse 25, Postfach, CH-4503 Solothurn (tel: (32) 625 4820; fax: (32) 625 4829). | |||||||||||||||
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If you're planning a trip to Switzerland, don't forget to order your travel insurance now.