Dental care reimbursement in Ticino: who benefits and how it works
Find out who can access dental care reimbursement in Ticino and how the funding system inspired by AHV works
Contesto
In brief - Every resident in Ticino will be entitled to a refund for basic dental care - The financing is inspired by the AHV, with rates proportional to income - 5.8% of Ticino residents forgo dental care for economic reasons ## Key facts - What: Refund for basic dental care - When: In the process of being defined - Where: Canton Ticino - Who: Residents in Ticino - Amount: Not yet specified Every person residing in Canton Ticino will be entitled to a refund for basic dental care. This constitutional principle is supported by Franco Cavalli, the first signatory of a popular initiative deposited 11 years ago. The text proposes a mandatory insurance to guarantee coverage of such expenses. 'It is important to understand that the financing is not like that of the Lamal, but of the AHV,' says Cavalli. This means that 'there will be a rate for employers and workers, but it will be proportional to income.' ### An unfair system The problem, continues Cavalli, 'is that today more and more people can only afford dental care if they have money.' Although it is scientifically proven the link between oral health and general health, in Switzerland 5% of the population completely forgoes dental care for economic reasons. 'And in Ticino the percentage is even higher, because already in 2022 we had 5.8% of complete renunciation,' declares Nancy Lunghi, representative of the Socialist Party. It is also hypothesized that many people postpone care or go abroad in search of more affordable services. ### Basic care According to the Ticino dental society, however, the most expensive services would remain the responsibility of the citizen, as they do not fall under basic care. The latter include 'all care except aesthetic ones,' counters Lunghi, a dentist by profession. 'We have not define...
Dettagli operativi
Single-parent families and the middle class Among those who most often forgo dental visits are single-parent families, notes Sandra Killer, president of the association representing them. "This happens because if money is tight, people postpone treatment until it becomes urgent. This means the situation worsens and costs increase." The initiative would benefit the middle class and the so-called "working poor," argues Nicole Rossi, political secretary of the Swiss Trade Union in Ticino. Although workers – along with employers and the Canton – are also called upon to contribute, it won't result in a burden for them. "Currently, the costs of dental health are entirely borne by workers," declares Rossi. Therefore, according to Rossi, in most cases, there would be a reduction in costs. ### What changes for cross-border commuters Cross-border commuters residing in Italy and working in Ticino could benefit from this new reimbursement system. However, it's important to note that the system will be funded through a proportional income tax, both for employers and employees. This means that cross-border commuters will need to contribute to the system but could also benefit from reimbursements for basic dental care. ### Procedure to access reimbursement To access reimbursement for basic dental care, Ticino residents will need to follow a specific procedure. Although the details have not yet been defined, it is likely that an application will need to be submitted to the competent Cantonal office. It will be important to keep all invoices and documents related to the dental care received to present them as proof. ### Comparison with the previous situation Before the introduction of this reimbursement system, dental care in Ticino was fully the responsibility of citizens. This mean...
Punti chiave
Concrete steps for cross-border workers For cross-border workers residing in Italy and working in Ticino, it is important to follow some concrete steps to benefit from the new basic dental care reimbursement system. Here is a step-by-step guide: 1. Get informed about the details of the system: Monitor the official communications from the Canton of Ticino to stay updated on the details of the new reimbursement system. 2. Consult an expert: Speak with a tax or legal advisor to better understand the implications of the new system and how it might affect your income and medical expenses. 3. Keep your invoices: Save all invoices and documents related to the dental care received. These documents will be necessary to request the reimbursement. 4. Submit the application: Once the details of the system are defined, submit the reimbursement application to the competent office of the Canton. Make sure to include all necessary invoices and documents. 5. Monitor payments: After submitting the application, monitor the payments and ensure you receive the reimbursement within the expected timeframe. ### Useful tools and resources For further information and to calculate the potential savings from the new reimbursement system, you can use the salary calculator. This tool can help estimate your net income after deductions and proportional rates based on your income. ### Conclusion The new basic dental care reimbursement system in Ticino represents a significant step towards more equitable access to medical care. For cross-border workers residing in Italy and working in Ticino, it is important to stay informed and follow the necessary steps to benefit from this new system. Using tools like the salary calculator can help better understand the financial implications and plan accordingly....
Punti chiave
[{"q":"Who can benefit from the reimbursement of basic dental care in Ticino?","a":"Every resident of the Canton of Ticino, including cross-border workers who work in Ticino and live in Italy, will be able to benefit from the reimbursement of basic dental care. The system will be funded through a proportional tax rate for both employers and employees."},{"q":"Which dental treatments are covered by the reimbursement?","a":"Basic dental care includes all treatments except cosmetic ones. A specific catalog of services has not yet been defined, but it is hoped that industry associations can establish a catalog suitable for modern dentistry."},{"q":"How can I request the reimbursement of dental care?","a":"To request the reimbursement, you will need to submit an application to the competent office of the Canton. It is important to keep all invoices and documents related to the dental care received to present them as proof. The specific details of the procedure will be officially communicated by the Canton."}]
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who can benefit from the reimbursement of basic dental care in Ticino?
- Every resident of the Canton of Ticino, including cross-border workers who work in Ticino and live in Italy, will be able to benefit from the reimbursement of basic dental care. The system will be funded through a proportional tax rate for both employers and employees.
- Which dental treatments are covered by the reimbursement?
- Basic dental care includes all treatments except cosmetic ones. A specific catalog of services has not yet been defined, but it is hoped that industry associations can establish a catalog suitable for modern dentistry.
- How can I request the reimbursement of dental care?
- To request the reimbursement, you will need to submit an application to the competent office of the Canton. It is important to keep all invoices and documents related to the dental care received to present them as proof. The specific details of the procedure will be officially communicated by the Canton.