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Outpatient medical care is provided mainly by doctors in private practice and
the outpatient units of public hospitals or private clinics. Patients are in
principle free to select the doctor of their choice and have unlimited direct
access to specialists. The cantons and municipalities provide a school medical
service, which carries out regular screening at state schools, checks pupils’
immune status, performs vaccinations, etc.
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: 11/2007
Source: European Union
© European Communities, 1995-2008
Reproduction is authorised.
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