And although precise comparisons with previous years are difficult to arrive at – FOPH has changed the way it calculates the numbers – premiums are expected to increase by 1.2% on average, lower than in recent years. For adults over 26, the average increase is 2.4% adding up to CHF372.3 ($388.1) per month.
Since 2008, the average premium has increased by 3.5% per year (3.9% per year since the introduction of compulsory health insurance in 1996).
According to the Home Affairs Minister Alain Berset, the increase is modest because premiums in 2018 were higher than costs to allow insurers to build up reserves. With the reserves replenished, there is no longer the same need to raise premiums as before. The increase for 2019 is lower than the average for the past 20 years, said Berset on Monday.
In six cantons (AI, AR, FR, GL, UR, ZG), the average premium adjustments will be less than 0.5%, while in four others (JU, NE, TI, VS), they will exceed 2%. In the remaining 16 cantons the increase will be between 0.5 and 2%. The FOPH has approved all premiums for one year.
In addition, the average premium for young adults aged 19 to 25 will decrease because parliament has decided to reduce the cost burden for this age group. This measure will be valid from 2019, with the average premium for young adults at CHF274.10, 15.6% lower than last year.
The rebate will be financed by an increase in costs for those over 25, whose premiums will increase slightly (by 2.4%, or CHF8.90). The average premium for children is CHF100.90, an increase of 2.4% compared to the previous year.
Due to demographic changes and medical and technical advances, health costs and therefore health insurance premiums continue to rise in Switzerland. The evolution in recent years is mainly due to increased use of healthcare services, the extent of which cannot be explained from a medical point of view.
The evolution of premiums is no longer illustrated by using a standard premium but an average. The standard premium used until now was only valid for adults with a deductible of CHF300 and accident coverage. However, this premium is now only chosen by only around 20% of adults and is therefore no longer representative.
More
More
Swiss spend the most on healthcare
This content was published on
The Swiss spend more from their own pockets for health care than any other nation, according to a survey for the price comparison website Comparis.
Train vs plane: would you take a direct train between London and Geneva?
Eurostar is planning to run direct trains from Britain to Germany and Switzerland from the early 2030s. Would you favour the train over the plane? If not, why not?
This content was published on
Visitors to Switzerland spent CHF19.6 billion ($23.9 billion) last year, a 2.2% rise compared to the previous year, the Federal Statistical Office (FSO) said on Monday.
This content was published on
Despite the current tense economic situation, Swiss consumer sentiment remains positive. The Swiss spent more money in May than the previous year, particularly on restaurant visits and leisure activities, as shown by the latest figures released by PostFinance.
This content was published on
A bear killed four sheep in the Lower Engadine region near Scuol, canton Graubünden last week. This was the first bear attack on livestock in the region in four years.
This content was published on
Experts believe that economic development in Switzerland will be weaker in 2026 than three months ago. They have also lowered their expectations for the current year.
This content was published on
Fewer people in Switzerland have a religious affiliation and the proportion who practice their religion regularly is steadily declining, a survey finds.
Study: trees have major cooling effect even in extreme heat
This content was published on
Plane trees in cities have an important cooling effect even in extreme heat, according to a new study by the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research (WSL).
EPFL launches digitised version of Battle of Murten panorama
This content was published on
To mark the anniversary of the Battle of Murten on 22 June 1476, the Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL) has launched a website that offers the public an immersive experience of the huge panorama painting of the historic battle.
77th Swiss Gymnastics Festival praised for ‘positive energy’
This content was published on
The 77th Federal Gymnastics Festival drew to a close on Sunday in Lausanne, after eleven days of popular celebration and sporting performances.
This content was published on
Emergency crews contained the oil and began removing some of the pollution from the water’s surface, said the St Gallen cantonal police on Sunday.
Caring for those who cannot afford health coverage
This content was published on
Although public assistance is available to those struggling to pay for care, in the end not everyone is able to get the treatment they need.
This content was published on
Preventive medicine is a big piece of the health care puzzle, yet has not always gotten the attention – or resources – it deserves.
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.