Health authorities said on Tuesday that the “considerable” increase would raise average monthly premiums from CHF315 to CHF335 ($319 to $339). For an adult, the average bill each month will climb to CHF397. Across the 26 cantons, the increase varies between 3.9% and 9.5%.
Interior Minister Alain Berset told journalists in Bern that it was a “difficult” and “unpleasant” development, especially after a period of “relative stability”. While the long-term trend is markedly upwards, Berset recalled that premiums increased by an average of 1.5% annually over the past four years; last year, they even fell, for the first time in 14 years.
More
More
Report: Swiss health system still one of the best
This content was published on
The Swiss heath system is still one of the best worldwide, but the country is lagging behind with its Covid vaccinations, an OECD report says.
Berset said the main cause of the leap was the Covid-19 pandemic, which brought about an increase in healthcare costs that is only now starting to be passed onto consumers. Another factor is the “catch-up” effect of the many non-essential operations which had been postponed during the pandemic, Berset said.
Difficult to control
The Swiss healthcare system involves an obligation for every resident to be covered by basic health insurance, which they can choose to buy from various different providers. Beyond the basic coverage, there are options for supplementary insurance to cover specific treatment types, as well as the option to pay a higher or a lower premium depending on the level of coverage.
Controlling costs in the country’s healthcare sector is a major political issue, especially since they are destined to keep rising due to an ageing population and technological progress in medicine. The government has proposed various ideas over the past few years, including limiting the access of patients to specialist doctors, and capping the costs of generic drugs.
A people’s initiative submitted in 2020 meanwhile proposed limiting premiums at 10% of a household’s income.
Healthcare, or more specifically the cost of healthcare, is a regular fixture at the top of the list of most pressing concerns for the Swiss.
More
More
Healthcare and pensions top Swiss worry list
This content was published on
Healthcare costs, the pension system and climate change are the top three burning issues for the Swiss, according to a survey.
What factors should be taken into account when inheriting Swiss citizenship abroad?
Should there be a limit to the passing on of Swiss citizenship? Or is the current practice too strict and it should still be possible to register after the age of 25?
Is your place of origin, your Heimatort, important to you?
Every Swiss citizen has a Heimatort, a place of origin, but many have never visited theirs. What’s your relationship with your Heimatort? What does it mean to you?
Over a quarter of Swiss Catholics consider leaving the church
This content was published on
In Switzerland 27% of Catholics have thought about leaving the church, according to a survey by the Sotomo research centre.
This content was published on
Following the Credit Suisse debacle, the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) is adapting its organisation.
This content was published on
The Swiss Armed Forces are training their fighter jets in Bern to fly from a civilian base. The exercise at Bern Airport will last until Wednesday.
Plans materialise for new particle accelerator in Geneva
This content was published on
Preparations for a huge new particle accelerator in Geneva have reached a milestone. After several years of work, a feasibility study for the project has now been finalised.
This content was published on
The value of frozen Russian assets in Switzerland currently stands at CHF7.4 billion ($8.4 billion), the Swiss government announced on Tuesday.
This content was published on
The number of business start-ups in Switzerland accelerated in the first three months of the year, with entrepreneurs being particularly dynamic in Central Switzerland, Basel and Geneva.
Most Swiss authorities want to ban Nazi symbols in public
This content was published on
A majority of Swiss political parties, cantons and associations want to ban the use and distribution of Nazi symbols in public.
This content was published on
Costs for the health sector, gas and digital payment transactions all ended up in the cross hairs of the Swiss price supervisor last year.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.