Health Insurance Plans: Up to 900,000 Switchers Expected Next Year

Context

At a Glance

• Between 600,000 and 900,000 insured individuals may switch health insurance providers
• More than half review their health insurance coverage every year
• 88% rate their knowledge as average to very good

Key Facts

Forecast → between 600,000 and 900,000 health insurance plan switches Survey → YouGov for Deloitte Period → third quarter of 2026 Sample → 1,236 people from German-speaking Switzerland, French-speaking Switzerland, and Ticino Self-assessed knowledge → 88% rate their knowledge as average to very good Increase in Ticino in 2027 → 3.7%

BERN — Between 600,000 and 900,000 insured individuals could switch health insurance providers next year. This is the forecast from a recent survey by the consulting firm Deloitte, which examined how insured individuals monitor and evaluate their health insurance.

The analysis was published on Friday. The survey was conducted by the research firm YouGov on behalf of Deloitte in the third quarter of 2026. A total of 1,236 people from German-speaking Switzerland, French-speaking Switzerland, and Ticino participated.

The Survey and the Sample

More than half of the policyholders surveyed said they review their health insurance annually. This frequency is higher than average among young adults aged 18 to 29 and, regionally, among residents of French-speaking Switzerland and Ticino.

The text therefore distinguishes young adults from the other participants and juxtaposes this difference with the regional one. German-speaking Switzerland, French-speaking Switzerland, and Ticino are included in the same sample, but the focus on reviewing coverage is greater in French-speaking Switzerland and Ticino.

The figure of 600,000–900,000 remains the central estimate of the analysis. Deloitte does not present this as a final tally but as a projection of the number of insured individuals who might switch health insurance providers in the period following the survey.

The time frame must be kept separate: responses were collected in the third quarter of 2026, while the forecast looks ahead to next year. This distinction allows the data to be interpreted without confusing the timing of the survey with the final outcome of potential switches.

To explore the topic of health insurance in a manner consistent with this news article, you can consult the comparison of health insurance plans and use it alongside the survey results.

Operational details

The most significant impact on personal budgets becomes apparent in the scenario of a 20-franc-per-month premium increase. Nearly half of the participants would consider switching health insurers. A year ago, that figure was still just over one-third. This comparison indicates greater sensitivity compared to the previous survey, though this intention has not yet translated into an actual switch.

Premiums and Financial Concerns

In the current survey, about a quarter of participants reported having difficulty paying their premiums. More than half of those surveyed said that health insurance premiums cause them financial concerns. The two responses reflect different levels: one concerns actual difficulty in paying, while the other reflects the perceived financial burden. Together, they show why a potential increase could influence the choice of insurer.

Knowledge of the system also shapes this perspective. Deloitte notes that people with limited knowledge of health insurance are particularly affected by financial concerns and payment difficulties. Eighty-eight percent of respondents rated their knowledge as average to very good, but only about half answered four knowledge questions on the topic correctly. The survey thus compares personal perception with the actual results of the responses.

The material linked to the news article includes a distinct figure: for 2027, in Ticino, the reported increase is 3.7%. This figure refers to the increase and not to the percentage of policyholders who consider the change; conflating the two pieces of information without distinguishing between them would lead to interpreting different measures as equivalent.

Artificial intelligence rounds out the picture. Today, one in eight people say they use it as an informational and decision-making tool for insurance-related questions. According to the survey, about one-quarter plan to consult it in the future for insurance matters: its role remains secondary, but the expected share is larger than the current one.

To track the impact of premiums on personal expenses, the survey can be used alongside the guide on costo della vita in Svizzera.

Recommended tools

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

Key points

To turn the survey results into a personal assessment, it’s best to follow a brief, repeatable process. The data allows you to focus on four key areas: the annual review, your response to a potential increase, your level of knowledge, and the use of AI as a support tool.

Four Steps for Self-Assessment

1. Review your health insurance annually. This is the frequency reported by more than half of the respondents and provides a practical benchmark to ensure you don’t put off evaluating your situation.

2. Assess how you would react to a premium increase. The survey uses a potential increase of 20 francs per month as a benchmark: asking yourself whether you would consider switching insurers in this situation helps clarify your decision-making threshold.

3. Distinguish between personal confidence and actual knowledge. 88% rate their knowledge as average to very good, while only about half answered four questions on the topic correctly. This finding suggests that one should not rely solely on self-assessment.

4. Consider the AI as a source of information and a decision-making tool. One in eight people already uses it for insurance-related questions, and about a quarter plan to consult it. According to the survey, its role remains secondary for now.

This sequence does not equate to an automatic decision to switch: the survey measures stated intentions and behaviors, not a choice that has already been made. Rather, it serves to organize the review process, distinguishing between the cost of the premium, knowledge of the system, and the tools used to gather information.

To complete your review of your personal financial statement, open calcolatore stipendio.

Source: tio.ch