Changing health insurer during ongoing treatment: what should you consider?

Are you receiving medical treatment and want to change health insurer? In Switzerland, this is generally possible without difficulty. The new insurer must accept you for compulsory basic insurance, even if you have a chronic illness, need regular medication or have an operation coming up.

There are, however, some important points to consider. Prepare the switch carefully, especially for long-term therapies, existing cost coverage approvals and planned hospital stays.

This guide explains which treatments remain covered after switching insurer, what happens to previously approved services and how to keep your medical care running with as little interruption as possible.

Key points about changing health insurer during treatment

• Switching despite illness is possible: the new basic insurer must accept you regardless of your health.
• No health assessment: you do not have to complete a medical questionnaire to change compulsory basic insurance.
• Treatment can continue: the statutory scope of benefits generally remains the same.
• Check cost coverage approvals: commitments from your previous insurer do not automatically apply to the new insurer.
• Check doctor choice: family doctor, HMO and Telmed models may have specific access rules.
• Keep supplementary insurance: do not cancel existing supplementary policies hastily.
• Cancellation deadline: to switch on 1 January 2027, your cancellation must arrive by 30 November 2026.

Can I switch health insurer even if I am ill?

Yes. In Switzerland, compulsory basic insurance is subject to a statutory obligation to accept applicants.

Every authorised health insurer must accept you within its geographical area of operation, regardless of your health.

This also applies if you:

• Have a chronic illness.
• Need regular medication.
• Are undergoing physiotherapy or psychotherapy.
• Have a planned operation.
• Already incur high healthcare costs.
• Receive long-term medical care for a serious illness.

The health insurer cannot reject you because of an existing diagnosis or charge an individual premium surcharge because of your illness.

You do not have to answer a medical questionnaire for basic insurance either.

Do benefits remain the same after switching?

All Swiss health insurers must offer the same statutory benefits under compulsory basic insurance.

These include medically necessary treatment, medicines covered by law, hospital treatment and certain therapies.

If treatment is a statutory compulsory benefit and the conditions are met, it generally remains insured after switching.

Important: for certain treatments, the insurer must assess medical necessity or specific benefit conditions individually. Previously issued approvals are therefore not always transferable.

What happens to my ongoing treatment after switching?

You can generally continue ongoing medical treatment after changing health insurer.

You should distinguish between standard treatment covered by law and services requiring special approval.

Switching is usually straightforward for standard compulsory benefits. The more complex or expensive your ongoing treatment is, the more important advance coordination with the new insurer becomes.

Changing health insurer during physiotherapy

If you are already receiving physiotherapy, you can generally still change basic insurance.

Medically necessary physiotherapy is a basic insurance benefit when the statutory conditions are met.

You normally need a medical prescription and an authorised physiotherapist.

Do I need a new prescription after switching?

Not automatically.

An existing valid medical prescription does not automatically become invalid when you change insurer.

Before switching, check whether the new insurer needs further documents or whether long-term treatment requires cost coverage approval.

An additional assessment may be needed, especially for extensive therapies or treatment courses that have already been extended several times.

Our tip: tell your physiotherapy practice about the switch in good time. This allows treatment to be assigned to the correct insurers and the necessary documents to be prepared.

Changing health insurer during psychotherapy

You can also change compulsory basic insurance during ongoing psychotherapy.

Since July 2022, psychological psychotherapy can be billed to basic insurance under certain conditions when there is an appropriate medical referral.

Statutory rules govern the number of sessions and extension of therapy.

What happens to my existing therapy?

Ongoing psychotherapy does not have to stop simply because you change health insurer.

If your medical referral remains valid and the statutory conditions are met, treatment can normally continue.

However, have your existing documents and any approvals checked.

What applies after 30 therapy sessions?

Continuing psychological psychotherapy after 30 sessions generally requires cost coverage approval from the insurer.

If you already have such approval from your previous insurer, check before switching whether the new insurer requires a fresh assessment.

An approval from the previous insurer is not automatically binding on the new insurer.

Important: discuss the switch with your treating professional early so that the necessary reports and documents are ready in time.

Changing health insurer with a chronic illness

People with chronic illnesses sometimes avoid changing health insurer because they fear their treatment will no longer be paid for.

For standard compulsory benefits under basic insurance, this concern is generally unfounded.

You can change basic insurance even with diabetes, rheumatism, cardiovascular conditions or other chronic illnesses.

The new insurer must accept you and cover medical services insured by law.

What happens to my medicines?

Medicines that meet the statutory conditions for coverage by basic insurance generally remain insured.

This includes medicines on the List of Specialities, provided they are reimbursed for the intended use and any restrictions are observed.

However, some medicines may require specific cost coverage approval.

This applies, for example, to certain expensive medicines or treatments outside their normally authorised use.

Take particular care with specialist medicines

If you receive medicines whose costs your previous insurer approved individually, coordinate with the new insurer before switching.

The new insurer may reassess statutory conditions and medical necessity.

An existing cost coverage approval therefore does not automatically mean the new insurer will cover the costs without another assessment.

Our tip: for long-term specialist treatment, obtain written confirmation before switching, if possible, of which documents are needed to continue cost coverage.

What happens to an existing cost coverage approval?

A cost coverage approval is an insurer’s commitment to cover the cost of a medical service under certain conditions.

It may be required, for example, for special medicines, certain therapies or inpatient rehabilitation.

Does a cost coverage approval remain valid after switching?

Not automatically. A cost coverage approval from your previous insurer is not necessarily binding on the new insurer.

This is particularly important when changing health insurer during ongoing treatment.

The new insurer must cover statutory compulsory benefits. For services requiring individual approval, however, it may check whether the conditions for coverage are met.

How to handle an existing cost coverage approval

1. Ask your previous health insurer for a copy of the cost coverage approval.
2. Discuss with your treating doctor’s practice whether approval must be requested again after switching.
3. Submit the necessary medical reports to the new insurer in good time.
4. Clarify in writing from which date and to what extent costs will be covered.
5. Where possible, plan services requiring approval so that funding is clarified before they take place.

For longer or particularly costly treatments, arranging an assessment several weeks before switching can be worthwhile.

Changing health insurer before a planned operation

Even if you have already scheduled an operation, you can generally still change basic insurance.

What matters most is when the operation takes place, where you receive treatment and whether cost coverage approval is required.

Operation in December 2026

If the operation takes place before switching insurer, your previous insurer is generally responsible for covered services provided during its insurance period.

However, special billing rules apply to inpatient stays continuing into the new year.

Operation in January 2027

If your operation takes place after switching insurer, the new insurer is generally responsible.

Check in good time whether existing approvals will be accepted or a new cost coverage approval is needed.

Can I stay at the same hospital?

Generally yes, provided the hospital is available for the relevant treatment under basic insurance and statutory reimbursement rules are followed.

Cantonal hospital lists and possible tariff restrictions are particularly relevant when choosing a hospital.

Additional costs may arise at contracted hospitals or for certain treatments outside your canton.

If you have private or semi-private supplementary hospital insurance, also check that it remains in force and which benefits it covers.

What happens to a hospital stay spanning the new year?

A special case arises if, for example, you enter hospital on 28 December 2026 and are discharged on 6 January 2027.

You change basic insurance on 1 January 2027 but are still in hospital on that date.

Who pays for the hospital stay?

Special provisions apply to inpatient treatment billed under the applicable SwissDRG, TARPSY or ST Reha rules.

After discharge, the bill is generally sent to the insurer with which you were insured when admitted.

The insurers involved then split the bill proportionally according to the days of the stay.

This means you do not have to interrupt your hospital stay because of the switch. Administrative billing is coordinated between the hospital and the insurers involved.

Does this mean I have to pay the deductible twice?

You must distinguish between changing insurer and changing calendar year.

The deductible and co-payment apply per calendar year.

If you receive medical treatment spanning the new year, a new annual cost sharing period generally starts on 1 January.

This also applies if you stay with your previous insurer.

Changing health insurer therefore does not automatically create an additional deductible. What matters is the allocation of services subject to cost sharing to the relevant years and the applicable billing rules.

For a hospital stay spanning the new year, clarify your actual cost sharing with the hospital or insurers involved.

Can I keep my existing doctor after changing health insurer?

This depends particularly on the chosen insurance model.

With the standard model and free choice of doctor, you can generally continue to see authorised doctors of your choice.

Alternative insurance models, however, have specific rules.

Family doctor model

With the family doctor model, you normally need to choose a practice participating in the relevant insurance model.

If your existing family doctor is not in the new insurer’s network, you may no longer be able to use them as your regular first point of contact.

HMO model

With an HMO model, medical care is provided through a specific medical centre or network.

Check whether your existing care is compatible with the new model’s requirements.

Telmed model

With a Telmed model, you normally need an initial telephone or digital consultation before certain doctor visits.

Depending on the insurer, specific rules apply to existing treatment or regular specialist appointments.

Our tip: if you already receive regular treatment from specific specialists, check before switching whether you can continue seeing them under your preferred model and which referrals are required.

Change basic insurance and keep supplementary insurance

There is a particularly important difference between compulsory basic insurance and voluntary supplementary insurance.

Basic insurance: acceptance guaranteed

Basic insurance is governed by the Health Insurance Act (KVG).

Insurers have a statutory obligation to accept you and cannot reject you because of an existing illness.

Supplementary insurance: no general obligation to accept applicants

The situation is different with supplementary insurance.

Voluntary supplementary insurance is governed by the Insurance Contract Act (VVG).

Before issuing a policy, an insurer may require a health assessment and, under certain conditions, reject an application or impose benefit exclusions.

Taking out new supplementary insurance can therefore be difficult, particularly during ongoing treatment.

Do I have to change both types of insurance at the same time?

No. You can change basic insurance and keep an existing supplementary policy with your previous provider.

Your current insurer cannot force you to cancel your supplementary insurance as well.

This is particularly important if you have supplementary hospital insurance and are already being treated for a serious illness.

Do not cancel your supplementary insurance solely because you change basic insurance.

If you also want to change supplementary insurance, first obtain a binding written acceptance confirmation from the new provider and check possible exclusions.

Changing health insurer during treatment: step by step

Good preparation helps you organise the switch safely, even during medical treatment.

1. Compare new health insurers

Compare compulsory basic insurance premiums for your place of residence.

Alongside the monthly premium, consider the deductible and insurance model.

For regular treatment, a low deductible and the ability to keep seeing your existing doctors may be particularly relevant.

2. Review ongoing treatment

Make a list of treatments that should continue after switching.

These include specialist appointments, therapy sessions, regular medication and planned operations.

Check which services require special approval.

3. Clarify cost coverage approvals with the new insurer

If your treatment already has cost coverage approval, inform the new insurer early.

Ask whether a new approval is required and which documents are needed.

Where possible, have important commitments confirmed in writing.

4. Cancel your previous basic insurance on time

To switch on 1 January 2027, your cancellation must reach your previous insurer by 30 November 2026.

The FOPH recommends sending your cancellation by registered post or A Mail Plus by mid-November at the latest.

Register with the new health insurer at the same time.

5. Inform doctors’ practices and therapy providers

Tell your treating professionals in good time that you are changing health insurer.

Give them your new insurance number and cover start date as soon as you receive the relevant documents.

This allows them to assign bills and any cost coverage requests correctly.

6. Check treatment and cost coverage

After switching, check the new policy and any cost coverage confirmations.

In particular, check that the agreed deductible, insurance model and cover start date have been recorded correctly.

For treatment requiring approval, make sure the necessary commitments are in place.

Can I save by changing health insurer even with high healthcare costs?

Yes. Comparing basic insurance premiums can be worthwhile, especially if you receive regular medical treatment.

As statutory compulsory benefits are generally the same across insurers, you may be able to insure the same medical care more cheaply under comparable conditions.

Example: CHF 840 annual saving

Suppose you receive the following quotes for the same deductible and a comparable insurance model:

These amounts are a hypothetical example.

If you regularly need medical services, standard cost sharing with the same deductible is generally calculated under the same statutory rules.

A lower premium can therefore be worthwhile even with high treatment costs.

However, make sure ongoing treatments and any cost coverage approvals have been clarified with the new insurer.

Which deductible makes sense during ongoing treatment?

If you already know you will have high medical costs next year, a low deductible may be financially advantageous.

For adults, the lowest deductible is CHF 300 and the highest is CHF 2'500.

A 10 % co-payment normally also applies, up to CHF 700 per calendar year.

This gives the following maximum standard cost sharing:

Hospital contributions, special cost sharing rules and services outside basic insurance are excluded.

If you regularly need medicines or therapy, the CHF 300 deductible may be cheaper despite a higher monthly premium.

What matters is the total annual cost of premiums, deductible and co-payment.

Further reading: Which deductible is right for you? CHF 300 or 2,500?

When can changing health insurer during treatment become problematic?

Changing basic insurance is legally possible. However, some situations require particularly careful preparation.

These include:

• A complex or rare illness with individual cost coverage approval.
• Expensive medication whose reimbursement requires a separate assessment.
• Long-term psychotherapy with an approved extension.
• Upcoming rehabilitation.
• An operation in a hospital with special reimbursement conditions.
• Switching to an insurance model that does not include your existing doctor’s practice.

In these situations, contact your treating professionals and the new insurer in advance.

This does not necessarily rule out switching. What matters is clarifying outstanding treatment and funding questions in good time.

What happens to outstanding bills when changing health insurer?

Ongoing treatment does not prevent you from changing basic insurance.

However, the law imposes a restriction for certain outstanding debts to your previous insurer.

Unpaid premiums, cost sharing, late-payment interest or debt collection costs may prevent you from changing insurer.

For a switch on 1 January 2027, this particularly concerns debts for which reminders were issued by 30 November 2026 and which were not fully paid by 31 December 2026.

Important: a medical bill that has not yet arrived does not automatically prevent switching. What matters is the statutory conditions relating to outstanding debts and payment reminders.

Frequently asked questions about changing health insurer during treatment

Can I change health insurer if I am currently receiving treatment?

Yes. Compulsory basic insurance must accept you regardless of your health. Ongoing treatment is not grounds for rejection.

Can a new insurer reject me because of high treatment costs?

No. Basic insurance has a statutory obligation to accept applicants. High healthcare costs or existing illnesses cannot be grounds for rejection.

Do I have to stop my current therapy because I am changing insurer?

Generally not. Treatment covered by law can continue when the relevant conditions are met. However, if you have existing cost coverage approvals, check in good time whether the new insurer needs a fresh approval.

Can I change health insurer after a cancer diagnosis?

Yes. Even if you have cancer, the new insurer must accept you for basic insurance. For individually approved medicines or special therapies, clarify continued coverage in advance.

Can I change health insurer during psychotherapy?

Yes. Ongoing psychotherapy does not prevent switching. However, therapy with specific cost coverage approval may need a fresh assessment by the new insurer.

Can I keep my existing specialist?

This depends on the insurance model. The standard model generally allows free choice among authorised providers. Family doctor, HMO or Telmed models may require referrals or specific networks.

Will my existing cost coverage approval be accepted automatically?

No, not necessarily. Individual cost coverage approvals are not automatically binding on the new insurer. Check before switching whether a new approval is required.

What happens if my operation spans the new year?

Special billing rules apply to a continuous inpatient stay. The hospital bill is generally handled by the insurer at admission and, if you switch, split proportionally between the insurers involved.

Do I have to pay the deductible again after switching?

Not solely because you change insurer. The deductible applies per calendar year. A new annual deductible generally starts on 1 January, even if you stay with the same insurer.

Can I increase my deductible despite a chronic illness?

Yes. Even with a chronic illness, you can choose a different deductible within the legal options. Whether a higher deductible makes sense depends on your expected healthcare costs and premium savings.

Do I also have to change supplementary insurance?

No. You can change basic insurance and keep existing supplementary policies with your previous provider.

Can I take out new supplementary insurance after a serious illness?

You can apply. Unlike basic insurance, however, there is no general obligation to accept applicants. The insurer may require a health assessment, impose exclusions or reject your application.

What is the deadline for changing health insurer for 2027?

For a regular switch on 1 January 2027, your cancellation must have reached your previous insurer by 30 November 2026.

Conclusion: ongoing treatment is no reason to avoid changing health insurer

Even with a chronic illness, ongoing therapy or high medical costs, you can change compulsory basic insurance.

The new insurer must accept you regardless of your health and cover statutory benefits.

Switching is therefore usually straightforward for standard medical treatment.

However, existing cost coverage approvals, planned operations, long-term therapies and the rules of your chosen insurance model need particular attention.

Our tip: if you receive medical care, compare premiums and clarify continued coverage for complex treatment early. This lets you benefit from potential premium savings without risking unnecessary administrative difficulties with your treatment.

On K-Check, you can compare health insurance premiums for 2027 and find out whether switching during ongoing treatment could save you money.

Sources

• Federal Office of Public Health – Key facts about compulsory health insurance
• Priminfo – Changing health insurers
• Priminfo – Frequently asked questions about changing health insurer
• FOPH – Basic insurance benefits and tariffs
• FOPH – Psychological psychotherapy and cost coverage approvals
• FOPH – Hospital treatment
• FOPH – Premiums and cost sharing
• SwissDRG – Rules and definitions for inpatient case billing from 2027

All guides