Private Hospitalization
Save money and easily improve your coverage!
Our algorithm will analyze 290 possibilities among 18 insurances
Hospitalization in Switzerland
Being hospitalized is never welcome, and we are all afraid to experience it. However, based on the last decade figures, around 1 million people are hospitalized each year in Switzerland, of which 25% are several times.
In order not to be caught off guard, here is everything you need to know about the way the care in hospital or clinic is taken over in the Swiss health insurance system to anticipate as well as possible.
Hospitalization in Switzerland
Being hospitalized is never welcome, and we are all afraid to experience it. However, based on the last decade figures, around 1 million people are hospitalized each year in Switzerland, of which 25% are several times.
In order not to be caught off guard, here is everything you need to know about the operation and the care in hospital or clinic by the Swiss health insurance system in order to anticipate as well as possible.
What does LaMal cover ?
With the basic insurance, you are covered in general ward (rooms that can welcome 8 persons) at public university hospitals from your canton of residence, as well as the ones from other cantons in case of emergency or if necessary.
Out of these two cases, if you choose on your own to be hospitalized in another canton, you will be responsible for the price difference.
If an operation is necessary, the doctor available during your stay will take care of you.
However, it will not be possible to choose the doctor who operates you, neither be sure that it is the same as the one who did it for a previous operation if you have several.
What does LaMal cover for hospitalization ?
With the basic insurance, you are covered in general ward (rooms that can welcome 8 persons) at public university hospitals from your canton of residence, as well as the ones from other cantons in case of emergency or if necessary.
Out of these two cases, if you choose on your own to be hospitalized in another canton, you will be responsible for the price difference.
If an operation is necessary, the doctor available during your stay will take care of you.
However, it will not be possible to choose the doctor who operates you, neither be sure that it is the same as the one who did it for a previous operation if you have several.
What is my financial participation ?
Whatever it is at a public hospital or in a private clinic, your participation will depend on the deductible (from CHF 300.- to 2’500.-) you will have chosen in your LaMal. On top of it, a 10% participation will be asked on the rest, but it can not overcome 700.- per year for adults or 350.- for children.
Indeed, the fees for a stay at the hospital can be high and it is important to be prepared for it.
In case you have a high deductible, and if it can cause you financial difficulties, certain insurances offer a capital when you are hospitalized. It would in a way reimburse the deductible.
Why private coverage ?
In both cases, it gives you access to all private clinics in Switzerland, whatever the canton and without additional cost on top of the LaMal (deductible + 10% participation). The peace of being alone in the room, as well as a comfort similar to 5 stars hotels from cares to food makes your stay more pleasant and less stressful.
Even though this is a big advantage for wellness and comfort, this coverage has on top of that an objective medical necessity. First, it allows you to choose freely the specialist who operates you in all Switzerland. It can be vital in case you have a risky surgery or a rare pathology.
Furthermore, without questioning the quality of Swiss public hospitals that are excellent, the more open costs charged by clinics allow them to use more advanced operation techniques (even when longer) and the best medical equipment (like prostheses for example).
Stationary or ambulatory ?
Stationary : A stationary operation concerns a patient who will spend less than one night at the hospital/clinic
Ambulatory : on the other hand, in case of ambulatory operation, the patient will usually go out a few hours after the operation.
Most hospitalization insurances give access to private institutions for stationary, but not for ambulatory. However, some companies offer specific coverage for this.
What is my financial participation ?
Whatever it is at a public hospital or in a private clinic, your participation will depend on the deductible (from CHF 300.- to 2’500.-) you will have chosen in your LaMal. On top of it, a 10% participation will be asked on the rest, but it can not overcome 700.- per year for adults or 350.- for children.
Indeed, the fees for a stay at the hospital can be high and it is important to be prepared for it.
In case you have a high deductible, and if it can cause you financial difficulties, certain insurances offer a capital when you are hospitalized. It would in a way reimburse the deductible.
Why semi and private coverage ?
Dans les deux cas, vous aurez accès à toutes les cliniques privées en Suisse, sans distinction de canton et sans surcoût au-delà de la participation LaMal (franchise + quote-part). La tranquillité d’avoir une chambre à soi, ainsi que le confort d’une prise en charge quasi hôtelière des soins aux repas permettent de rendre votre séjour moins stressant et plus agréable.
Bien que ceci constitue un avantage non négligeable en termes de bien-être et de confort, ces couvertures ont une nécessité médicale objective. Tout d’abord, elles vous permettent de choisir librement le médecin qui vous opère dans toute la Suisse, et ceci peut s’avérer décisif dans le cas d’une opération spécifique risquée, ainsi qu’en cas de pathologie rare.
De plus, et sans remettre en aucun cas en cause la qualité des hôpitaux publiques Suisses qui sont excellents, les coûts plus libres et plus élevés pratiqués par les cliniques leurs permettent d’utiliser les techniques d’opération les plus avancées (même quand elles sont plus longues) et les meilleurs matériaux (par exemple pour les prothèses).
Stationary or ambulatory hospitalization ?
Stationary : A stationary operation concerns a patient who will spend less than one night at the hospital/clinic
Ambulatory : on the other hand, in case of ambulatory operation, the patient will usually go out a few hours after the operation.
Most hospitalization insurances give access to private institutions for stationary, but not for ambulatory. However, some companies offer specific coverage for this.
Can we choose who operates us ?
It is one of the most important questions when we want to subscribe to semi or private insurance. Indeed, the choice of the surgeon will depend on the level of our additional coverage. The only way to be allowed to choose who will operate us and get the best, is to have private or semi-private coverage.
The same principle is applied for a pregnant woman who wants to give birth with her own gynecologist.
Can we choose who operates us ?
It is one of the most important questions when we want to subscribe to semi or private insurance. Indeed, the choice of the surgeon will depend on the level of our additional coverage. The only way to be allowed to choose who will operate us and get the best, is to have private or semi-private coverage.
The same principle is applied for a pregnant woman who wants to give birth with her own gynecologist.
Semi or private ?
Private hospitalization coverage assures you to be alone in your room, and semi-private guarantees to be two at the maximum.
It is the only difference. Furthermore, most clinics only have one bed rooms and there are big chances you are alone in both cases.
This is why we usually recommend semi-private coverage as it is way less expensive.
Variants called Flex also exist. It is cheaper and allows you to choose the division on the moment against a participation.
Can we pay ourselves the clinic ?
Technically, it is possible not to take any additional coverage and pay the hospitalization yourself. However, is it really interesting ?
As an example, the cost to give birth in a private clinic gives the answer: on average, childbirth in private clinics costs between CHF 35’000.- and 45’000.-
Can I be refused for this coverage ?
It is unfortunately the case. Indeed, additional coverage is under private laws and the insurer will have you fill a questionnaire. Then, the company will decide if you are accepted or not. Therefore, it is important to get good coverage.
Semi private or private ?
Can we pay ourselves the clinic ?
Private hospitalization coverage assures you to be alone in your room, and semi-private guarantees to be two at the maximum.
It is the only difference. Furthermore, most clinics only have one bed rooms and there are big chances you are alone in both cases.
This is why we usually recommend semi-private coverage as it is way less expensive.
Variants called Flex also exist. It is cheaper and allows you to choose the division on the moment against a participation.
Technically, it is possible not to take any additional coverage and pay the hospitalization yourself. However, is it really interesting ?
As an example, the cost to give birth in a private clinic gives the answer: on average, childbirth in private clinics costs between CHF 35’000.- and 45’000.-
Can I be refused for this coverage ?
It is unfortunately the case. Indeed, additional coverage is under private laws and the insurer will have you fill a questionnaire. Then, the company will decide if you are accepted or not. Therefore, it is important to get good coverage.
Additional coverage possible
Additional coverage possible
The best comparator in 2022
Discover our new health comparison tool. Determine your needs owing to our algorithm and receive a free personalized comparison without engagement.