Swiss health premiums to rise 4% in 2018

Compulsory health insurance premiums are set to rise again in 2018, the government has announced in Switzerland.

The average four percent increase applies to what is known as the basic or standard premium, the compulsory health care premium for adults aged over 18, communicated the government recently. The basic premium entitles the holder to an excess of CHF300.

Basic health insurance is compulsory in Switzerland and premiums go up each year, set by the insurance companies but with some consultation with the government.

People can choose their ‘excess’ – the higher the excess the lower the monthly premium, and vice versa.

The four percent increase for premiums in 2018 however is higher than the average increase of 3.7 percent over the last 10 years.

Premiums for children are set to rise at an even higher average in 2018 than for adults, five percent, while young adults aged 19 to 25 will be paying 4.4 percent more in 2018 for their premiums on average.

The government argued that the increases were necessary because “premiums were too low for some insurers in recent years.” The higher costs, argued the government, are needed to cover the shortfall.

“The reserves fell below the prescribed minimum. Part of this year’s premium increase is to restock the reserves,” communicated the government.