All residents and people working in Switzerland must have basic health insurance. While coverage is identical across insurers, insurers offer different basic insurance models that define your first point of contact for medical care and can significantly affect your monthly premium. Knowing how the five main models work helps you balance freedom of choice, continuity of care and cost savings.

Quick facts to know

• Basic health insurance is mandatory in Switzerland and covers illness, maternity and, where applicable, accidents.
• Coverage is identical for all insurers and models; only access rules and premiums differ.
• Premiums vary by canton or postcode, age group and the deductible (franchise) you choose.
• Typical adult deductibles range from CHF 300 to CHF 2,500; children have lower options depending on the insurer.
• You pay the deductible first, then usually a 10% co-payment up to an annual maximum.
• You can generally change your basic insurance model or insurer once per year, most commonly effective from 1st January. Always confirm deadlines with your insurer.

The five basic insurance models — overview

Basic insurance models — pros & cons at a glance

All models provide the same basic health insurance benefits. The differences lie in how you access care and how much you pay.

Standard model: maximum freedom, usually the highest premium.

Family doctor model: coordinated care and moderate savings, referrals required.

HMO model: strong savings and network-based care, limited provider choice.

Multimed model: hybrid digital and in-person access, defined care pathways.

Telmed model: digital-first access, fast triage and consistent premium reductions.

Standard model (free choice of doctor)

What it is: You can consult any recognised doctor or specialist directly, without referrals.

Pros:

• Full freedom to choose doctors and specialists.
• Immediate access to specialist care.

Cons:

• Usually the most expensive model.
• No built-in cost control.

Best for: people who want unrestricted access or frequently see specialists.

Family doctor model

What it is: You register a general practitioner (GP) as your first point of contact. The GP becomes responsible for coordinating any referrals you may need.

Pros:

• Continuity of care with a personal doctor
• Lower premiums than the standard model

Cons:

• Referrals required for most specialists

Best for: Families and people who prefer long‑term GP relationships and moderate savings

HMO model

What it is: Your first contact is an HMO network or group practice that manages and coordinates your care.

Pros:

• Often among the largest premium discounts
• Efficient, team‑based care

Cons:

• Care is limited to the HMO network
• Availability depends on region

Best for: People prioritising lower premiums and structured, coordinated care.

Multimed / multi-access model

What it is: A hybrid model combining telemedicine, apps, and partner medical practices.

Pros:

• Competitive premium reductions
• Flexibility between digital and in‑person care

Cons:

• Defined access routes must be followed

Best for: People who want savings with some in‑person flexibility.

Telmed / telemedicine model

What it is: For non‑emergency issues, your first contact is a telemedicine service by phone, video, or app. You receive medical advice and referrals if needed.

Pros:

• Consistent premium savings (often around 10%, depending on insurer and canton)
• 24/7 medical access and fast triage
• Fewer unnecessary doctor visits

Cons:

• Initial contact is remote
• Less suitable for people who strongly prefer face‑to‑face consultations

Best for: Digitally comfortable people with infrequent or straightforward healthcare needs.

How Telmed helps reduce premiums

Telmed models reduce costs through remote triage, targeted referrals, standardised treatment pathways and lower administrative effort. This often results in both lower monthly premiums and fewer avoidable in-person visits. Exact savings depend on canton, insurer, deductible and personal usage.

Choosing the right model

Consider how often you use medical services, whether you need direct specialist access, your comfort with digital care, and which models are available in your canton. People with chronic conditions should confirm how coordination with local doctors works.

Other practical premium-saving tips

Choose a higher deductible if you rarely need care.

• Exclude accident cover if your employer already insures you.
• Check eligibility for cantonal premium reductions.
• Pay premiums annually if a discount is offered.
• Always compare insurers, even for the same model and deductible.

How and when to switch

Switching insurers usually requires cancellation by the end of November for a change effective 1 January. Switching models within the same insurer may have different deadlines. Always confirm notice periods and registration steps directly with your insurer.

miavita — a digital helping hand (broker)

miavita is an independent digital insurance broker (not an insurer). It offers tools to compare basic insurance models and providers and can help simplify the switching process. Always review a broker’s services, fees and data practices before proceeding.

Decision checklist

1. Compare premiums for the same deductible across all models.
2. Check availability in your canton.
3. Confirm referral and access rules.
4. Align model choice with your deductible and healthcare usage.

Conclusion

All basic insurance models in Switzerland offer the same coverage. The key differences are access to care and price. Standard models offer maximum freedom at a higher cost, while family doctor, HMO, Multimed and Telmed models trade some flexibility for meaningful premium savings. Choosing the right model — combined with the right deductible — can significantly reduce healthcare costs without sacrificing coverage.

Case Study

An anonymized example: a 34-year-old Zurich resident who rarely visited a GP compared a standard-model quote and a Telmed-model quote with the same deductible. The Telmed quote showed a measurable premium reduction (commonly around 10%), and the resident chose Telmed because they were comfortable using video consultations and wanted faster triage. They kept a moderate deductible and confirmed how referrals and local GP cooperation worked before switching. Results vary by canton, insurer and individual usage patterns; this example illustrates the decision process rather than a guaranteed outcome.

[SUGGESTION: use this as a process example, not a guarantee — get personalised quotes.]

Comparison Table

Key Takeaways

• All basic insurance models offer the same coverage.
• The main differences are access rules and premiums.
• Telmed, HMO and Multimed models typically offer meaningful savings.
• Choose a model based on healthcare usage, flexibility needs and digital comfort.
• Combine model choice with the right deductible to optimise costs.