Health insurance premiums Canton Bern and premium reductions (cross-border guide)

Context

Health insurance premiums Canton Bern and premium reductions

The reduction of compulsory health insurance premiums in the Canton of Bern is an important measure to help citizens cover the costs of a possible illness. Premiums are set by canton and premium region, and there are adult deductibles. You can get a reduction in premiums, but you must meet certain requirements.

The premium reduction was introduced in 2020, with the amendment of the Compulsory Health Insurance Act (LAMal) of 1 January 2020. According to article 3, paragraph 1, of the law, the Canton of Bern may reduce the premiums for citizens who meet certain requirements.

What are sick pay premiums?

Sick pay premiums are the payment fee that citizens have to pay for compulsory health insurance. They are fixed by canton and premium region, and vary according to the population and economic conditions of the region.

What are deductibles?

Deductibles are the payment fees that citizens must pay before they can access health services. There are deductibles for adults and children, and they vary according to age and health conditions.

How does premium reduction work?

Reduction of premiums is possible for citizens who meet certain requirements. The requirements are:

• Have an income of less than CHF 4,500 per month (approximately EUR 4,300)
• Having a family income

Operational details

Health insurance premiums Canton Bern and premium reductions

Compulsory health insurance premiums in the Canton of Bern are fixed per canton and premium region. There are adult deductibles, and you can get a premium reduction if you meet certain requirements.

What are adult deductibles?

Adult deductibles are a sum that the sufferer must pay out of their own pocket before the insurance begins to reimburse medical costs. This deductible may vary depending on the premium region and the type of insurance chosen. In the Canton of Bern, for example, the allowance for adults can be CHF 300-500 per year.

How does premium reduction work?

You can get a premium reduction if you meet certain requirements. For example, if you are able to pay a higher deductible, you can get a premium reduction of about 10-15%. Other requirements for premium reductions may include attending regular doctor visits, participating in health prevention programs, or choosing a cheaper insurance plan.

Concrete examples

Suppose a citizen of the Canton of Bern has a deductible of CHF 400 per year for compulsory health insurance. If you decide to increase the deductible to CHF 600 per year, you could get a reduction in premiums of around 12.5%. This would mean a reduction in premiums of about CHF 50-75

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Key points

Health insurance premiums Canton Bern and premium reductions

Compulsory health insurance premiums in the Canton of Bern are fixed per canton and premium region. There are adult deductibles, and you can get a premium reduction if you meet certain requirements.

Exemplification of sick pay premiums in the Canton of Bern

To give a concrete example, let's consider a family of four residing in Bern. The average monthly price for compulsory health insurance for an adult is around CHF 250 per month. However, Swiss law provides for a deductible for sick pay premiums. This means that the first CHF 300 of health expenses are borne by the insured, while the insurance covers expenses above this threshold.

For example, if the family has healthcare expenses per CHF 1,000 in a month, the insurance will only cover the CHF 700 over the deductible. In this case, the monthly price for compulsory health insurance would be around CHF 18 (CHF 700/CHF 39,000 maximum coverage).

Example of premium reduction for compulsory health insurance

Under Swiss law, you can get a reduction in compulsory health insurance premiums if you meet certain requirements. For example, if an insured has health coverage from their employer, they can get a 10-20% premium reduction.

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