A practical guide for anyone who wants to save money, optimize, or customize their model.

Why you should review your basic health insurance every year:

• Find lower monthly premiums.
• Get better service or switch to a model that suits you (e.g., HMO, family doctor, Telmed, or pharmacy model).
• Adjust to changes in your life situation (moving, starting a family, new job, retirement).

Important: Supplementary insurance policies are separate from basic insurance and cannot be changed every year.

Key Facts About Basic Health Insurance

Basic health insurance is mandatory for everyone in Switzerland. If you move to the country, you must get insured within three months—otherwise, the canton can automatically enroll you and charge back payments.

All basic insurance providers offer the same legally mandated benefits, such as coverage for illness, maternity, and certain outpatient or inpatient treatments. The only differences are in premiums, insurance models, and regional pricing.

Your premium amount depends on:

Your place of residence/canton

Your age group (children, young adults, adults)

The chosen deductible (e.g., CHF 300, 500, 1,000, 1,500, 2,000 or 2,500)

Accident Insurance: If you work at least 8 hours per week, you're usually covered by your employer for accidents. In that case, you can exclude accident coverage from your basic health insurance, which lowers your premium.

When should you review your basic health insurance?

If you're already insured, we recommend reviewing your health insurance every year in October and November.

Premiums for the upcoming year are announced at the beginning of October. To switch providers, your cancellation and new enrollment must reach the insurer by November 30.

We recommend doing this as early as possible to ensure a smooth transition.

You can switch directly with the insurer, through your miavita advisory team, or 100% online via our switching service at app.miavita.ch.

Step by Step: How to Switch Your Health Insurance

1. Review your contract  

Locate your policy and note the cancellation deadlines and any notifications about premium changes.

What is your monthly premium?

Which insurance model do you have? (e.g., HMO, family doctor, Telmed)

What is your deductible (franchise)? (e.g., CHF 300, 500, 1,000, etc.)

2. Calculate Your Annual Health Insurance Costs

Don’t just compare monthly premiums—also consider your expected out-of-pocket expenses based on your deductible and usage.

What were your healthcare costs this year and last year?

• #1:  If you’re healthy and expect to stay that way, we recommend a CHF 2,500 deductible. If your annual medical costs exceed CHF 1,800, it’s worth switching to a CHF 300 deductible.

How satisfied are you with the service, your insurance model, or your doctor?

• #2:  Free choice of doctor is the most expensive model. If you want to save on premiums, we recommend an HMO or Flex model with multiple care options.

Note: Telmed is often cheaper, but may not offer the best service quality for everyone.

3. Review Special Situations

If you're moving, expecting a child, changing age group, or switching jobs, it's important to plan your health insurance accordingly.

Are there any changes in the coming year that could affect your premiums or coverage needs?

• #3:  If you're planning to move, calculate the premiums for your new location and look for a nearby medical practice.
• #4:  If you're planning a pregnancy next year, choose a lower deductible and review your supplementary insurance—especially coverage for women. A detailed consultation is worthwhile to find the best offer for families, including potential family discounts. Also consider mandatory steps like prenatal registration and estimating monthly premiums. Don’t worry—youth premiums are much lower than adult rates.
• #5:  If you're currently unemployed, make sure accident coverage is included in your basic insurance. Once you start a new job with more than 8 hours per week, you can remove private accident coverage, as your employer will provide it. This saves money in case of emergencies or work-related incidents.
• #6:  Do you earn less than CHF 80,000 per year—alone, with children, or as a household? Then you should apply for premium subsidies. More information is available per canton.
• #7:  Are you 25 years old? Don’t worry about the age group change. From age 26, your premiums will be calculated as an adult, which may increase your monthly costs by CHF 100–200. That’s why it’s important to review your situation carefully—ideally with a professional advisor.

4. Choose the Right Model & Deductible

Decide between the standard model (free choice of doctor) or alternative models like family doctor, HMO, Telmed, or pharmacy model.

Savings Tip #8:

1. Happy with your doctor and service? Then your current model is likely fine. However, depending on your insurer and canton, some models may be more affordable.
2. Healthy overall? Choose a CHF 2,500 deductible to minimize your premiums. You’ll save this amount in premiums over two years—just be sure to set it aside.
3. Expecting high medical costs (over CHF 1,800/year)?  In that case, we recommend a CHF 300 deductible.

5. How to Compare Premiums

Use trusted comparison tools or independent brokers—such as miavita.ch/premium-calculator — to compare premiums.

Found the right option? You can switch directly via the app.miavita.ch switching service or through your preferred advisor.

• Tip #7:  Calculate premiums for your entire household and expected situation next year—for example, new residence, a baby on the way, job changes, or anticipated healthcare needs.
• Tip #8:  Take a holistic view: consider both price and service quality. If you have both basic and supplementary insurance with the same provider, you’ll usually benefit from a smoother experience.

6. Apply for a New Insurance & Cancel the Old One

Submit your application with your chosen deductible, insurance model, and preferred start date. Many insurers will handle the cancellation of your old policy upon request.

Make it easy—complete your application and switch directly via miavita’s switching service at app.miavita.ch.

Important Deadlines

1. Basic insurance only: by November 30 (ideally before November 20)
2. Basic + supplementary insurance: by September 30

7. Send Cancellation (if necessary)

If you need to cancel your policy yourself, do so in writing, on time, and keep proof of submission.

8. Handle Supplementary Insurance Separately

These must always be applied for again—with health questions and possible exclusions.

9. Check Your Coverage

Once you receive confirmation and your insurance card, verify that all details are correct.

10. Keep Your Documents Safe

Store all documents, confirmations, and cancellations safely.

Did you use miavita’s switching service?

Create your free account to track all your documents and the status of your insurance policies.

How it works:

Create an account at app.miavita.ch/register

Upload your insurance policies

Every year—or whenever a policy expires—you’ll automatically receive new offers to help you save money, improve coverage, or both. Let yourself be surprised.

In case of insurance claims, get support from miavita’s expert advisory team to ensure the best possible experience with your providers.

What to Watch Out For

These common mistakes can cost you unnecessary money:

• Missed cancellation deadline → Your contract renews automatically.
• Overlooked special cancellation rights after a premium increase.
• Supplementary insurance not reapplied for → No coverage.
• Forgot to update your address after moving to another canton → Premium may no longer be accurate and could increase unexpectedly.
• Accident insurance not adjusted → You might be paying twice.‍
• Choosing only the cheapest monthly premium → Without considering deductible, flexibility, or service quality.

Low-Risk Savings Tips

• Alternative models (HMO, family doctor, Telmed, pharmacy model) often offer significant discounts—but make sure the service quality meets your needs.
• A higher deductible only makes sense if you use few medical services.
• Check for family discounts or cantonal premium subsidies.
• If you're covered for accidents through your employer, you can exclude accident coverage from your basic insurance.
• Keep only the supplementary insurance you truly need—they can be difficult to get back once canceled.
• Always compare total annual costs, not just the lowest monthly premium.

Real-Life Example

A travel-loving family of three in Zurich reviewed their total healthcare costs. Both partners were insured with different providers, and the husband had no supplementary insurance. They realized that although the Telmed model offered the lowest premiums, their CHF 500 deductible resulted in high monthly costs. Plus, the Telmed system required more time for referrals and lacked the personal connection they wanted with a doctor.

They decided they preferred a family doctor model. After comparing options, they chose a higher deductible with the same insurer and were also eligible for a family discount.

The result: Less paperwork, lower annual costs, and better everyday care.

Quick Checklist for Switching Health Insurance

• Review your current contract
• Assess your health over the past 5 years  If you've been healthy, it's worth reviewing your supplementary insurance. Once serious medical issues arise, upgrading coverage can be difficult.
• Calculate total annual costs
• Choose your insurance model and deductible
• Compare offers
• Submit your application
• Send or confirm cancellation of your current policy
• Review supplementary insurance separately
• Keep all documents and confirmations safely stored

Conclusion

Switching health insurance is often easier than you think—and it can be financially rewarding. What matters most is good planning, keeping track of deadlines, and making a realistic cost comparison.

If you need support with comparing options or submitting your application, miavita is here to help—independent, digital, and personal.We’ll guide you step by step to ensure you find the coverage that truly fits your needs.