LAMal Canton Bern Awards: bands and reductions (cross-border guide)

Context

In a nutshell

• LAMal premiums vary by canton and level of excess chosen
• Available Deductibles: CHF 300–2500 per year for adults
• Premium reductions (subsidies) are provided by the canton Bern
• Annual comparison between crates is essential

• What: Private compulsory health insurance, based on per capita premiums
• Who: All residents in Switzerland, mandatory in Canton Bern
• When: Registration within 3 months of residence; premiums calculated annually
• Deductibles: 6 levels: CHF 300, 500, 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500
• Reduction: Cantonal subsidies for nuclei below the income threshold
• Models: Basic, with general practitioner, with limited hospitalization

Those residing in the Canton of Bern must stipulate a assicurazione malattia within 3 months. LAMal (Health Insurance Act) is private and is based on individually calculated premiums per person, it is not a tax or a wage contribution. The premium depends on the geographical region, age group and deductible chosen, regardless of income.

In the Canton of Bern, as in the other Swiss cantons, every resident must take out compulsory health insurance within three months of settling in. Awards vary greatly depending on the geographical region within the canton and other personal factors. This variability reflects the different regional medical costs and the competition between health insurance funds.

There are 6 deductibles available in the Swiss LAMal system: CHF 300, 500, 1000, 1500, 2000 and 2500 per year for

Operational details

The reduction of premiums (cantonal subsidy)

In the Canton of Bern, as in all Swiss cantons, premium reductions are available for certain residents. These subsidies do not come from private health funds, but directly from the canton, as a social support measure to ensure access to health insurance for all. The reduction of the premium (subsidy) is managed by the cantonal administration of the Canton of Bern. Those who consider that they are entitled to a reduction must submit an application to the canton according to the methods and criteria established by the canton itself.

Unlike the premiums, which are set annually by the health funds and are public, the subsidies follow a cantonal administrative procedure. The canton of Bern establishes the access criteria, the application procedures, the deadlines and the extent of the reduction. None of these elements are regulated at the federal level — each canton independently manages its own subsidy programme.

The role of the cantonal administration

The canton does not set LAMal premiums — this is the task of private health insurance funds. However, the canton manages the subsidy programme and decides who is entitled to the reduction and to what extent. This distinction is important: the premium market is private and free (each sick fund competes), while the subsidy program is public and financed by the cantonal budget.

In Canton Bern, as in the other cantons, there is no federal subsidy

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Key points

How to proceed: seeking support in Canton Bern

If you live in Canton Bern and want to access a LAMal premium reduction, the first step is to contact the cantonal administration to receive accurate information. There is no single federal link for subsidies — each canton has its own system.

1. Visit the official website of Canton Bern's administration or call directly the competent department to receive the application form and specific instructions.

2. Collect the documents required by Canton Bern to prove your eligibility for the subsidy. Although specific criteria are not listed here (as they vary by canton), the administration will communicate exactly what is needed for the evaluation.

3. Complete the application form following the instructions provided by Canton Bern and submit the documentation within the stated deadline. Make sure to keep a copy of the application and the submission receipt.

4. Wait for the evaluation by the cantonal administration. The canton will communicate the outcome of your application, usually within a few weeks.

Compare premiums to reduce initial costs

While working on accessing the subsidy, it's also useful to compare premiums among the different health insurance funds operating in Canton Bern. In Canton Bern, as in all of Switzerland, health insurance funds are diverse and practice different rates. Comparing the offers of different health insurance funds for your preferred deductible and insurance model is important to minimize the gross premium cost.

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