Insured persons abroad are included in risk equalization
Published: Tuesday, Jun 4th 2024, 11:40
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People insured abroad in Switzerland, such as cross-border commuters, will now also be included in the risk equalization between health insurers. As a result, premiums for insured persons abroad are likely to rise.
The Council of States has prepared the necessary revision of the Health Insurance Act for the final vote. The Councils had already agreed on the inclusion of insured persons abroad in the risk equalization scheme.
The bill is intended to strengthen solidarity in compulsory health insurance. This is because risk equalization within the health insurance funds was created so that health insurers do not have an incentive to only insure people who are as healthy as possible.
If insured persons living abroad are included in the risk equalization scheme, their premiums will rise - but they will still be significantly lower than the premiums in Switzerland. At the same time, insured persons in Switzerland, especially those in cantons with cross-border commuters, will benefit from lower premiums.
In 2021, around 170,000 people living abroad had health insurance in Switzerland. These were mainly cross-border commuters from Germany and France.
The revised law also provides for a simplified exchange of data between insurers and cantons. It makes it possible to suspend the insurance obligation for so-called phantom insured persons - people who have not been able to contact the insurer for some time.
The most recent controversial issue was whether the nationality of insured persons should now be collected. Supporters in the National Council were of the opinion that this information could lead to greater transparency in the use of healthcare services. However, the Council of States was opposed and ultimately prevailed.
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