No debt enforcement against minors for unpaid health insurance premiums
Published: Wednesday, Nov 22nd 2023, 10:50
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Minors may no longer be prosecuted because their parents have not paid their health insurance premiums. In addition, health insurance companies can only initiate a maximum of two debt collection proceedings per year against an insured person. The Federal Council is thus taking action against the indebtedness of insured persons.
It put the amendments to the Health Insurance, Debt Enforcement and Bankruptcy Act and the Health Insurance Ordinance into force on January 1, 2024 and January 1, 2025, as announced on Wednesday.
The amendment to the Health Insurance Act abolishes the current rule that every insured person, whether a minor or not, owes their health insurance premiums personally. The ban on debt collection against minors will apply from 2024.
The fact that health insurance companies may only initiate a maximum of two debt collection proceedings per insured person per year reduces debt collection costs. Because insurers have to adapt their computer systems, this regulation will not come into force until January 1, 2025.
The amendment to the Health Insurance Act also gives the cantons the option of taking over loss certificates from health insurance policyholders, making it easier for them to reduce their debts. Currently, the cantons must pay 85% of the claims to the health insurance companies that hold the loss certificates.
They can now choose whether to accept the loss certificates annually or quarterly. This enables premium debtors to switch to a health insurance company with lower premiums more quickly. Previously, this was not possible as long as they had not settled their debts with the insurer. The change will come into force on January 1, 2025, as cantons and health insurance companies will have to adapt their IT systems.
Parliament has also approved an amendment to the Debt Enforcement and Bankruptcy Act, which is intended to help insured persons get out of the debt spiral. If their income is seized, insured persons will be able to instruct the debt enforcement office to pay their health insurance premiums from January 1, 2024.
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