Health insurance models compared
In basic health insurance you choose between the standard model with free choice of physicians and models with a fixed first point of contact: GP or HMO, telemedicine, pharmacy or flex. The benefits are the same everywhere; the premium is not. In 2024, according to the FOPH, 79.8% of adults were in such a savings model.
Which models exist
- Standard modelIn the standard model you go directly to any authorised doctor in Switzerland, including specialists, without a detour.
- GP and HMO modelIn the GP model you first go to the GP you have chosen when you have a complaint; in the HMO model you first go to a specific health centre.
- Telemedicine modelIn the telemedicine model you first call a telemedicine advice service or get in touch via an app before every doctor’s visit.
- Pharmacy modelIn the pharmacy model a pharmacy is your first point of contact when you have a complaint.
- Flex modelIn the flex model you can choose between several first points of contact, for example your GP practice or a telemedicine service.
How much cheaper the savings models are
| City | Standard (free choice of physicians) | GP/HMO | Telemedicine/digital | Flex |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zurich (ZH) | CHF 677.00 | CHF 598.42−11.6 % | CHF 597.05−11.8 % | CHF 597.00−11.8 % |
| Bern (BE) | CHF 699.75 | CHF 617.95−11.7 % | CHF 622.95−11.0 % | CHF 603.30−13.8 % |
| Lausanne (VD) | CHF 720.80 | CHF 637.60−11.5 % | CHF 639.00−11.3 % | CHF 624.30−13.4 % |
| Lugano (TI) | CHF 764.00 | CHF 684.40−10.4 % | CHF 689.55−9.7 % | CHF 687.45−10.0 % |
| City | Standard (free choice of physicians) | GP/HMO | Telemedicine/digital | Flex |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zurich (ZH) | CHF 549.75 | CHF 470.45−14.4 % | CHF 471.50−14.2 % | CHF 472.20−14.1 % |
| Bern (BE) | CHF 571.45 | CHF 490.10−14.2 % | CHF 494.60−13.4 % | CHF 475.00−16.9 % |
| Lausanne (VD) | CHF 592.50 | CHF 512.00−13.6 % | CHF 511.00−13.8 % | CHF 496.00−16.3 % |
| Lugano (TI) | CHF 635.70 | CHF 556.10−12.5 % | CHF 561.40−11.7 % | CHF 562.50−11.5 % |
Our own calculation: median of all tariffs per model in the city municipality (premium region 1), percentage compared with the median of the standard model. “Telemedicine and other models” is the FOPH tariff type “DIV” up to 2026; besides telemedicine it also includes other models. Source: FOPH, health insurance premiums 2027, as at 15.10.2026, opendata.swiss. Methodology: How we calculate.
What do I need to do before seeing a doctor?
GP/HMO · Emergency
In an emergency you go straight to the nearest emergency department or call 144, without a referral and without calling first. Many tariffs require you to inform your GP practice or HMO centre afterwards within a deadline. How long that deadline is depends on the insurance conditions.
Important: The insurance conditions of your tariff are binding. You will find them in your policy or on your insurer’s website. The rule above describes what many tariffs provide, not your contract.
Legal basis: Art. 41 para. 4 KVG
Frequently asked questions
Which health insurance models are there in Switzerland?
Besides the standard model with free choice of physicians, insurers offer models with restricted choice: GP, HMO, telemedicine, pharmacy and flex. The benefits are the same everywhere; only the first point of contact differs (Art. 41 para. 4 and Art. 62 KVG).
How much do I save with a savings model?
That depends on the insurer, where you live and your deductible. The tables above show the median 2026 premiums per model for four cities, directly from FOPH data. Without five financial years of experience data, a model may be at most 20% cheaper than the insurer’s standard model (Art. 101 para. 3 KVV).
How many insured people are in a savings model?
According to FOPH statistics, in 2024 79.8% of insured people aged 19 and over and 83.1% of children were in a special type of insurance such as GP, HMO or telemedicine.
When can I change my model?
You can switch from the standard model to a model with restricted choice at any time. Returning to the standard model or switching to another model is only possible at the end of a calendar year; your notice must reach the insurer one month in advance, i.e. by 30 November (Art. 100 KVV, Art. 7 KVG).
Sources
- Federal Health Insurance Act (KVG), Art. 41Art. 41 KVGfedlex.admin.ch
- Federal Health Insurance Act (KVG), Art. 62Art. 62 KVGfedlex.admin.ch
- Health Insurance Ordinance (KVV), Art. 99–101aArt. 99–101a KVVfedlex.admin.ch
- Health Insurance Ordinance (KVV), Art. 36Art. 36 KVVfedlex.admin.ch
- FOPH: Health insurance, special types of insurancebag.admin.ch
- FOPH: Statistics on compulsory health insurance 2024, tables T 7.08 and T 7.09 (as at 22.05.2025)bag.admin.ch
- FOPH: health insurance premiums, opendata.swissopendata.swiss
Calculation based on the 2027 premiums approved by the FOPH, as at 15.10.2026, source: FOPH, health insurance premiums, opendata.swiss. Only the insurer’s quote or policy is binding. The model descriptions and rules are general information, not individual advice; your insurer’s insurance conditions are binding. Methodology: How we calculate.