Deloitte forecasts up to 900,000 health insurance plan switches

Context

At a Glance

• Deloitte forecasts 600,000–900,000 health insurance switches
• More than half review their insurance coverage every year
• Nearly half would consider switching if it cost 20 francs more per month
• About a quarter struggle to pay their premiums

Key Facts

• Company → Deloitte
• Survey → YouGov, third quarter of 2026
• Participants → 1,236 people
• Regions → German-speaking Switzerland, French-speaking Switzerland, and Ticino
• Considered increase → 20 francs per month
• Expected switch → between 600,000 and 900,000 policyholders
• Self-reported knowledge → 88% rated as average to excellent
• AI usage → 1 in 8 people; about a quarter intend to use it

Between 600,000 and 900,000 insured individuals could switch health insurance providers. This is Deloitte’s projection, which links the potential shift to annual premium increases and a population that has become more price-sensitive.

The data comes from the presentation of the results of a recent survey. More than half of the insured individuals surveyed said they review their health insurance every year. This behavior is not evenly distributed: young people between the ages of 18 and 29 and residents of French-speaking Switzerland and Ticino check their premiums more often than average. For those seeking a practical benchmark, confronto della cassa malati thus falls right in the middle of the survey results.

The 20-franc threshold

Nearly half of the participants would consider switching insurers if their premium increased by 20 francs per month. This proportion has risen compared to a year ago, when it was just over one-third. The difference between the two surveys indicates greater responsiveness to an increase expressed as a specific monthly figure, though this does not necessarily translate into an actual switch.

The survey was conducted by 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 responses also reveal people’s ability to cover these costs. In the latest survey, about a quarter of participants reported having difficulty paying their premiums, while for more than half of those surveyed, health insurance premiums are a source of financial concern. Deloitte adds that people with little knowledge of the subject are the ones most affected by both of these challenges.

The findings on knowledge reveal a second point of contrast. Eighty-eight percent of respondents rate their knowledge of the health insurance system as average to excellent, but only slightly less than half answered four questions on the subject correctly. Artificial intelligence, on the other hand, remains a secondary tool: one in eight people use it as an information and decision-making aid, while about a quarter intend to do so. Deloitte therefore anticipates a possible increase in its use, starting from a level that is still modest.

Operational details

To interpret the data at the national level, it is necessary to distinguish between three factors: the intention to switch, difficulty making payments, and the frequency with which people check their premiums. The survey presents these as distinct indicators. Comparing one’s insurance plan each year does not mean one has already decided to switch; similarly, expressing financial concerns does not mean that a switch to another insurer has already taken place.

What the Numbers Actually Measure

The framework is the LAMal/KVG: health insurance is mandatory for residents; premiums are per capita and vary by canton and region. This framework helps interpret the data for French-speaking Switzerland and Ticino: Deloitte reports an above-average frequency of comparison in these areas. The result therefore reflects a tendency to compare options, not a ranking of premiums.

A comparison of the two surveys highlights the shift in price sensitivity:

| Indicator | One year ago | Latest survey | | Participants who would consider switching for an extra 20 francs per month | Just over one-third | Nearly half |

The shift from just over one-third to nearly half—in the same scenario of a 20-franc monthly premium—does not equate to the number of switches that have already taken place. It does, however, indicate that an explicit monthly change can quickly influence the policyholder’s decision. For those following the costo della vita in Svizzera, the premium becomes an item to monitor carefully, without confusing stated intent with a definitive outcome.

The second signal concerns financial sustainability. About a quarter of participants report difficulty paying, and more than half associate premiums with financial concerns. The data suggests two interpretations: comparison shopping can help in finding a more affordable price, while difficulty in understanding the system can make the choice less straightforward. It is therefore not enough to simply ask whether the policyholder understands the system: 88% rate their understanding as average to excellent, but less than half correctly answer all four questions.

AI should also be viewed as an indicator of future behavior. Today, one in eight people uses it, and about a quarter intend to do so: this percentage may grow, but the survey does not present AI as a substitute for decision-making. For the user, the practical point is to verify the information before turning it into a decision.

Recommended tools

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

Key points

The most practical way to use these findings is to make this comparison an annual event. There’s no need to assume that changing is always the right choice: the survey reflects greater price sensitivity, not a one-size-fits-all recommendation.

Five things to check before making a choice

• Review your health insurance once a year. This is the frequency reported by more than half of the respondents; residents of French-speaking Switzerland and Ticino, as well as young people between the ages of 18 and 29, compare plans more frequently than average.
• Compare your current premium with available alternatives. Use a monthly increase of 20 francs as a benchmark—a change that nearly half of the participants would consider.
• If the cost is a problem, check whether you’re eligible for a cantonal premium reduction. The survey finds that about a quarter report payment difficulties; premium reductions are administered at the cantonal level.
• Assess your understanding before making a decision. 88% rate their knowledge as average to excellent, but just under half answered four questions correctly: self-assessment alone is not enough.
• Use AI as an information and decision-making tool, not as an automatic process. Currently, one in eight people uses it, while about a quarter of respondents intend to do so; before making a choice, verify the information you’ve obtained.

This process helps distinguish three steps: reviewing the premium, assessing the impact of an increase, and verifying that you understand the system. For those living in Ticino or French-speaking Switzerland, the above-average frequency of comparison indicated by Deloitte offers a concrete benchmark for scheduling an annual review; for young people between the ages of 18 and 29, the guidance is similar.

The survey measures habits and stated intentions. Individual decision-making therefore requires applying general data to one’s own situation, without interpreting Deloitte’s estimate as an automatic invitation to switch insurers. To move from checking premiums to comparing options, use comparatore LAMal e cassa malati.

Source: swissinfo.ch