Living in Switzerland - The Health System

Dental care is provided mainly by dentists in private practice and by public dental clinics. Compulsory basic insurance (see below) covers the cost of certain treatments only (mainly surgery). School medical services monitor all pupils’ dental health at various times during compulsory schooling and suggest any necessary treatment, the cost as a rule being chargeable to the patient.

The importance of home medical care (Spitex) has increased considerably in the last few years. Basic insurance offers only partial cover for care at home and household assistance. The provision of these services is the responsibility of the municipalities, which often delegate this function to private bodies.

About a third of the drugs authorised for sale are included in the list of special medicines and can be obtained only on prescription; their cost is refunded by the compulsory basic insurance scheme less a 10% excess. Medicines not included in the list are chargeable to the patient or their cost may be covered by supplementary insurance; they can be obtained from any pharmacy in the country.

The Swiss healthcare system is very expensive. Even though the quality of care is superior to that of other countries, healthcare costs in Switzerland are the highest of any country in the world except for the United States (see the OECD survey).

Text last edited on: 04/2008

Source: European Union
© European Communities, 1995-2008
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