Health insurers in Ticino: changing several times pays off (cross-border guide)

Context

In brief

• First switch: 563 average annual francs
• Subsequent switches: 383 average annual francs
• Ticino: 633 annual francs on the first switch
• Analysis published before the 2027 premiums

Key facts

• Source → Axa analysis
• Period observed → last four years
• Customers considered → Axa customers with supplementary insurance
• Subject → switches of basic insurance
• Limitation → Axa does not offer basic insurance

563 francs a year: that is the average saving obtained by policyholders on their first switch of basic insurance in the analysis published by Axa shortly before the announcement of the new premiums for 2027. When the switch occurred again, the average saving was instead 383 francs a year.

The result puts into perspective the idea that the first switch exhausts the possible savings. The analysis takes into account all switches of basic insurance made over the last four years by Axa customers holding supplementary insurance.

“Many policyholders assume that after a first switch there is hardly any savings potential left,” said Alexandra Gmür, head of healthcare provision at Axa.

Cantons with the greatest margin

The potential was particularly high in cantons with high premiums. On the first switch, Geneva recorded average annual savings of 697 francs. It was followed by the Canton of Ticino with 633 francs, the Canton of Vaud with 594, Zurich with 588 and Basel-City with 554.

In Ticino, the savings obtained on the first switch were 31% higher than those from subsequent switches. The research also identifies differences based on age, but the central figure remains the comparison between the first switch and those made subsequently.

For the cross-border worker who works in the Canton of Ticino, the news remains limited to health insurance. The source refers to policyholders and Axa customers, but does not identify permit G, LAMal, AVS, LPP, withholding tax, INPS or double taxation and does not offer separate statistics on cross-border workers. To avoid attributing data that the research does not contain to it, confronto LAMal/CMI must be kept separate from the figures in the analysis.

Operational details

The second switch retains a margin

The figure of 383 francs per year helps interpret the second switch without turning it into a nil result. The analysis compares an average initial saving of 563 francs with a subsequent average saving of 383: the average advantage changes, but does not disappear. For those who assess new offers every year, the benefit therefore does not end after the first choice.

In the Canton of Ticino, the first switch produced an average of 633 francs, the highest figure among the cantons indicated after Geneva. The number does not amount to an automatic personal saving: it is an average derived from the assessment of the switches made by the Axa customers considered in the analysis. The figure should therefore be read as a reference for comparison, not as a guaranteed result for every policyholder.

Differences between age groups

The group with the greatest average saving is that of 26-30-year-olds, at 451 francs per year. Those aged 19-25 stood at 436 francs. For policyholders over 51, the average potential was 417 francs, while for children and young people up to 18 years old it was 235 francs.

These figures show that age group factors into the interpretation of average savings. However, they do not replace a concrete comparison between the available offers, because the source does not link each figure to a single policy or individual choice.

Models and deductibles

Axa recommends comparing premiums every year while also assessing alternative insurance models and deductibles. For a cross-border worker, the useful point is therefore the possibility of periodically reopening the comparison concerning the healthcare component, without confusing it with AVS, LPP, withholding tax or other sections of the cross-border employment relationship. The research does not quantify specific effects for those holding a G permit. The confronto dell'assicurazione sanitaria LAMal/CMI may remain the separate tool for this verification.

Useful planning tools

To estimate your pension strategy, use the pension planner and the pillar 3 simulator.

Key points

How to use the data in the annual review

The recommendation from the analysis is simple: compare premiums every year, including alternative insurance models and deductibles. The data makes it possible to conduct an orderly review, but does not indicate an administrative procedure, deadline or specific document.

1. Start with basic insurance

The first filter is to keep the comparison within the same area analyzed by Axa: changes to basic insurance. Supplementary insurance forms part of the profile of the customers observed, but is not the subject of the reported savings. Separating the two levels prevents results relating to something else from being attributed to basic premiums.

2. Distinguish the first change from subsequent ones

Note whether the assessment concerns the first change or a subsequent change. The average indicated by the source is 563 francs per year in the first case and 383 francs in subsequent changes. Comparing these two reference points helps clarify what type of result is being observed.

3. Compare models and deductibles

The Axa recommendation also includes alternative insurance models and deductibles. These are therefore the parameters to include in the annual review together with the premium, without replacing data from one's own situation with a general average.

4. Read the result within the correct scope

The analysis was carried out on Axa customers holding supplementary insurance, while Axa does not offer basic insurance. For a cross-border worker, this means using the figures as guidance on the topic of health insurance, while keeping permit G, INPS, rebates and double taxation separate. To complete the assessment of disposable income, use calcolatore stipendio.

Source: tio.ch