SWITZERLAND - IT WILL NO LONGER BE POSSIBLE TO CHANGE YOUR EXCESS EVERY YEAR

Despite fierce criticism from the left, the National Council has approved a phased increase in the basic excess. Contracts for optional excesses will be for three years; for example, if you want an excess of 2,500 francs, you will have to commit to a three-year term.

 SWITZERLAND – THE LAMAL AND STATE FRAUD

“We will no longer be able to change our excess every year”

Will it take even more blatant evidence for the Swiss people to understand just how much lobbyists control politicians?

Probably not… Because in Switzerland, everything has been organised to make the people slaves to their overheads… A Swiss person doesn’t even understand how it’s possible to live without LAMal and thinks they’ll die if they aren’t treated in Switzerland for the slightest cold.

Fortunately, more and more citizens have realised this state-run racket and are moving abroad to sunnier climes, opting for international online insurance or travel insurance.

Coverage?

• Wider cover than private LAMal
• 100% reimbursement
• No excess
• Worldwide cover

And the premiums?

For someone over 50, we’re looking at around USD 2,000 and USD 3,000 per year…
But for ‘premium’ cover including all benefits, private clinics, international hospitals, over USD 1,000,000 per year, etc.…

We’re a very, very long way from the minimum of CHF 6,000 per year for the most basic HMO plan in Switzerland…

Through our insurance brokerage structure in Switzerland, this is what we offer our clients who wish for us to organise their relocation to Portugal, Cambodia or Thailand.

There is always a solution for those who take a holistic view

NOVUSVIA

Below is this morning’s article explaining how lobbyists are going to bleed you dry a little more…

Health insurance excesses are set to rise. And it should no longer be possible to change them every year, but only every three years. The National Council adopted these two proposals on Monday. The matter now passes to the Council of States.

Since 1996, the basic excess has risen from 150 francs to 230 francs in 1998 and then to 300 francs in 2004. Optional excesses currently range from 500 to 2,500 francs.

Indexed to costs

From now on, the amounts are to be indexed to cost trends. Forced to legislate by Parliament, the Federal Council has developed a plan. Children’s deductibles will not be affected.

Deductibles for adult policyholders, meanwhile, will rise by 50 francs as soon as the average gross costs per policyholder exceed thirteen times the standard deductible. The next threshold will be reached when costs per policyholder exceed 3,900 francs. In 2016, they stood at 3,777 francs.

This mechanism should reduce the rise in premiums by around 0.5% in years when deductibles are adjusted, compared to years without indexation. But we should not expect miracles regarding rising costs, warned Health Minister Alain Berset.

Anti-social

Only the left rejected this concept. It is ineffective but, above all, anti-social. The chronically ill and the elderly will bear the brunt of this, criticised Barbara Gysi (SP/SG). Costs are likely to rise in the end, as people will hesitate before seeking treatment.

Nothing helped. The amendment to the law was adopted by 133 votes to 53. The centre-right, which put forward the indexation proposal, believes that insured people will be more aware of the costs they generate. This will prevent people from rushing to the doctor for every little niggle.

Frozen for three years

The People’s Chamber also voted 113 to 60 in favour of a further tightening of the rules. The excess amount can no longer be changed annually: contracts will have a three-year term.

During this period, policyholders will be able to switch insurers but will be required to retain the same excess. It will therefore no longer be possible to request a lower cost-sharing contribution at short notice if one fears having to face high medical costs soon.

Here too, supporters of the proposal believe it is a matter of making policyholders more accountable. The left, the insurers’ umbrella organisation curafutura and the Federal Council opposed this change to the system. “Unnecessary laws weaken necessary laws,” said Alain Berset, quoting Montesquieu.

The proposal risks driving up costs, as policyholders will opt for low deductibles to avoid having to pay out of pocket in the event of a health problem. Furthermore, the savings expected from the new system would be very small: CHF 5 million out of a total of CHF 28 billion in net benefits.

Automatic

By 112 votes to 62, the National Council refused to back down: the insurer will not be required to inform the insured of a contract’s expiry two months in advance. If the insurance is not cancelled, it will be automatically renewed for three years.

The pink-green camp called for people diagnosed with a serious or chronic illness resulting in costs exceeding their excess to be allowed to switch insurance plans the following year. The proposal was rejected by 118 votes to 56. This option will only be available to policyholders who reach the age of 18.

Franz Grüter (SVP/LU), for his part, would have preferred to opt for a system offering attractive three- or five-year contracts. His motion to refer the matter back to committee was rejected by 86 votes to 81, with 13 abstentions. (ats/nxp)

Source: Le Matin