Home care: bills keep coming in Ticino

Context

TL;DR

• Ticino maintains cost-sharing for home care.
• Patients pay part of home care costs.
• Cross-border workers may face extra burden.
• Subsidies available for low-income patients.

Key facts

• Decision Date: April 20, 2026
• Cost-Sharing Start: January 1, 2026
• Nursing Cost: Up to 50 CHF per visit, max 20 visits/month
• Physiotherapy Cost: 100 CHF per session, max 10 sessions/month
• Healthcare Deficit: 150 million CHF in 2025
• Subsidy Coverage: Up to 70% of costs, max 3,000 CHF/year
• Subsidy Application: Submit to Office of Social Assistance
• Subsidy Response Time: 30 days for evaluation, 15 days for disbursement

The Ticino Grand Council has rejected the urgency request presented by the socialists to remove the contested measure on cost-sharing for home care. The decision was made on Monday, April 20, 2026, during a heated debate that also involved the stands. The socialist initiative ended up in committee, leaving in force the measure that provides for patient payment for home care.

The decision by the Ticino Parliament has sparked mixed reactions. On one hand, those supporting the measure argue that it is necessary to contain the costs of the healthcare system. On the other hand, critics, including the socialists, believe that cost-sharing burdens patients, especially those with lower incomes.

Practical Implications

The decision to keep the measure in force means that patients in Ticino will continue to pay a share of the costs for home care. This includes services such as nursing care, physiotherapy, and other healthcare services provided at home. Costs vary depending on the type of care and the duration of the treatment.

For cross-border workers who reside in Ticino and work in Italy, this decision could have a significant impact. Many of them use home care services, especially for elderly or disabled family members. Cost-sharing could represent an additional economic burden.

Concrete Examples and Real Numbers

For example, a patient in Lugano who requires home nursing care might have to pay up to 50 Swiss francs per visit, with a maximum of 20 visits per month. For physiotherapy, the cost could be 100 francs per session, with a maximum of 10 sessions per month. These amounts are set by the 2025 Cantonal Health Law, which provides for a 10% cost-sharing for outpatient services.

Relevant Regulations and Dates

The current regulation, which came into force on January 1, 2026, stipulates that patients must pay a fixed fee for each healthcare service provided at home. This measure was introduced to reduce the deficit of the Ticino healthcare system, which reached 150 million francs in 2025.

Operational Checklist

For patients who need home care, it is important to follow a series of steps: 1. Cost Verification: Contact your health insurer to find out the specific costs of the services. 2. Documentation: Make sure you have all the necessary documentation, including the medical prescription. 3. Payments: Make payments within the set deadlines to avoid penalties. 4. Request Subsidies: Check if you are entitled to reductions or exemptions, especially in case of low income.

Comparison of Practical Scenarios

Consider two scenarios:

• Scenario A: A patient in Bellinzona with an annual income of 50,000 Swiss francs. Cost-sharing could represent a significant burden, especially if home care is prolonged.
• Scenario B: A patient in Locarno with an annual income of 100,000 Swiss francs. Cost-sharing could be more manageable, but still a factor to consider in the family budget.

Conclusion

The decision by the Ticino Grand Council to keep the measure on cost-sharing for home care in force will have a significant impact on patients, particularly on cross-border workers and families with lower incomes. It is essential that patients are informed about the costs and any available subsidies to best manage this new reality.

Operational details

Comparison with the previous situation

Before the introduction of the cost-sharing measure, home care in Ticino was fully covered by the public healthcare system. This meant that patients did not have to pay anything for the services received at home. The decision to introduce a cost-sharing quota was made to reduce the costs of the healthcare system, which were constantly increasing. In 2022, the cost of home care in Ticino reached 120 million francs, with a 15% increase compared to the previous year.

Possible Scenarios

With the measure in place, there are several possible scenarios. First, patients with higher incomes might not be greatly affected by the cost-sharing. However, for those with lower incomes, the situation could be more difficult. They might have to choose between forgoing certain care or facing economic hardships.

Another possible scenario is that some patients might prefer to move to other regions where home care is fully covered. This could have an impact on the demographics of Ticino and the demand for healthcare services.

Concrete Examples

• Municipality of Lugano: In 2023, 30% of patients with low incomes gave up home care services due to the new costs.
• Municipality of Bellinzona: 15% of patients opted for residential facilities instead of home care to avoid additional expenses.

Regulations and Amounts

The cantonal law of January 1, 2023 introduced a cost-sharing quota for home care, which varies from 10% to 20% of the total cost, depending on the patient's income. For example, a patient with an annual income of 50,000 francs will pay 10%, while a patient with an income of 100,000 francs will pay 20%.

Operational Checklist

• Income Verification: Patients must submit an income statement to determine the cost-sharing quota.
• Medical Documentation: Medical documentation is required to certify the need for home care.
• Payment: The cost-sharing quotas must be paid within 30 days of receiving the invoice.

Comparison of Practical Scenarios

• Scenario 1: A patient with an income of 60,000 francs and in need of home care for a month will pay approximately 300 francs, 10% of the total cost of 3,000 francs.
• Scenario 2: A patient with an income of 120,000 francs and in need of home care for a month will pay approximately 600 francs, 20% of the total cost of 3,000 francs.

"The new measure is necessary to ensure the sustainability of the healthcare system, but we must find a balance to not burden the most vulnerable patients too much." — Dr. Marco Rossi, Cantonal Health Director

Demographic Impact

The transfer of patients to other regions could reduce the elderly population in Ticino, significantly impacting local healthcare services. For example, the municipality of Locarno recorded a 5% decrease in the demand for home care in the first half of 2023.

Conclusion

The cost-sharing for home care in Ticino represents a challenge for both patients and the healthcare system. It is crucial to monitor the effects of this measure and evaluate possible adjustments to ensure equitable access to care for all citizens.

Recommended tools

For an updated estimate, use the net salary calculator and the CHF-EUR exchange comparator.

Key points

What to Do Now

For patients who need to cover the costs of home care in Ticino, there are several concrete options to ease the financial burden. First, you can apply for a home care subsidy. This subsidy is intended for patients with low incomes and can cover up to 70% of the costs, with a maximum limit of 3,000 francs per year. To apply for the subsidy, you need to submit an application to the Office of Social Assistance and Social Security of the Canton of Ticino.

A concrete example is that of a resident of Lugano with an annual income of 30,000 francs, who obtained a subsidy of 2,100 francs for the home care of their spouse. The procedure was simple and allowed the family to face the expenses with greater peace of mind.

Secondly, you can negotiate with the home care provider to obtain discounted rates. Some providers may be willing to offer discounts or installment payment plans for patients who are experiencing financial difficulties. For example, the company "Cure a Domicilio Ticino" offers a 15% discount for patients who choose a quarterly payment plan.

Finally, you can use the home care cost calculator to estimate the financial impact of home care. This tool can help you plan your expenses and make informed decisions. For example, a patient from Bellinzona used the calculator to discover that home care for a month would cost approximately 1,800 francs, allowing them to better plan their budget.

Procedure to Apply for the Subsidy

1. Gather the necessary documentation:

• Identity documents (ID card or passport)
• Medical certificates attesting to the need for home care
• Income tax returns for the last two years
• Any documents attesting to the economic situation (e.g., bills, employment contracts)

2. Fill out the application form:

• The form is available on the Canton of Ticino's website and must be filled out in its entirety. It is important to provide precise and complete information to avoid delays in the evaluation of the application.

3. Submit the application:

• The application can be submitted to the Office of Social Assistance and Social Security of the Canton of Ticino or sent by mail. It is advisable to make a copy of the application and the attached documents before sending them.

4. Wait for the response:

• The Canton will evaluate the application and communicate the outcome within 30 days. In case of a positive outcome, the subsidy will be disbursed within 15 days of the communication.

Operational Checklist

• [ ] Verify the eligibility requirements on the Canton of Ticino's website
• [ ] Gather all the necessary documentation
• [ ] Fill out the application form carefully
• [ ] Submit the application to the competent office or by mail
• [ ] Keep a copy of the application and the attached documents
• [ ] Monitor the mail for the Canton's response

Comparisons Between Practical Scenarios

Scenario 1: Patient with low income

• Annual income: 25,000 francs
• Home care costs: 2,500 francs per month
• Subsidy requested: 1,750 francs per month (70% of the costs)
• Maximum annual amount: 3,000 francs
• Result: The patient will receive the maximum subsidy of 3,000 francs, significantly reducing the financial burden.

Scenario 2: Patient with medium income

• Annual income: 50,000 francs
• Home care costs: 2,000 francs per month
• Subsidy requested: 1,400 francs per month (70% of the costs)
• Maximum annual amount: 3,000 francs
• Result: The patient will receive the maximum subsidy of 3,000 francs, but may need to supplement it with personal savings or other forms of assistance.

Regulations and Dates

The regulation governing home care subsidies in Ticino was last updated in 2020. According to the Cantonal Law on Social Assistance (LCAS), subsidies are granted to patients with low incomes and can cover up to 70% of the costs of home care, with a maximum limit of 3,000 francs per year.

Conclusion

Dealing with the costs of home care can be complex, but with the right information and tools, it is possible to ease the financial burden. Using the cost calculator, applying for the subsidy, and negotiating with providers are concrete steps that can make a difference. For further information, consult the Canton of Ticino's website or contact the competent office.

Source: laregione.ch