High deductible health insurance in my first year — worth it?

[KariNyheim]

I moved to Bern from Oslo in September and just got my Permit B. Now I am comparing basic health insurance, and every insurer looks identical, so the only real choice seems to be the deductible. For a healthy 38-year-old with barely any doctor visits, does the 2,500 CHF option actually pay off in year one, or do most people who go high end up regretting it? And does the three-month deadline count from arrival or from the permit date?

 

[Baptiste Wicht]

Welcome to Switzerland!

For a healthy 38-year-old with barely any doctor visits, does the 2,500 CHF option actually pay off in year one, or do most people who go high end up regretting it?

Yes, it makes a lot of sense. I am 38, and I have been using the maximum deductible for many years now.

And does the three-month deadline count from arrival or from the permit date?

From what I remember, when my wife arrived in Switzerland, it was from arrival, but I am not entirely sure.

 

[gaijin]

every insurer looks identical

The offerings in the Grundversicherung (basic insurance) are the same, yes. But you should still see a difference in price between the different insurance companies. So you can basically choose the cheapest one and be assured that you will get the same treatment. Most differences between the insurance companies come from customer service. I recommend priminfo for the comparison. It's the official government site and therefore least biased.

For a healthy 38-year-old with barely any doctor visits, does the 2,500 CHF option actually pay off in year one,

It absolutely does. Remember that in Switzerland, accidents are covered by your employer, so they are not part of the deductible. If you want to be 100% safe, you could put the difference between the premium for a Fr. 2'500 and the premium for a Fr. 300 in a separate account. If you haven't used it at the end of the year, add it to your investment assets or have a very nice dinner with it

And does the three-month deadline count from arrival or from the permit date?

From arrival. As soon as you stay in Switzerland, you need health insurance, not matter of your status. Exceptions might only apply to refugees.