Can a Swiss health insurer refuse you?
Not for basic insurance. Every insurer must accept new members without reservations or a waiting period, and may not ask for a health questionnaire. Supplementary insurance is different: the insurer may ask health questions and can say no.
Ep. 68 · Ding or Clonk? · 64 seconds. Watch
The real rule
Why the Swiss laugh, and what it means if you're new here.
Swiss health insurance has two layers. Basic insurance is compulsory, the same everywhere, and every insurer must accept you without health questions or waiting periods. Supplementary insurance (private hospital rooms, dental, glasses, alternative medicine) is optional and private: the insurer may ask detailed health questions, add exclusions or say no. Answer those questions honestly, because a wrong answer can let the insurer end the contract later. And when you switch basic insurer, you can keep your supplementary policy where it is.
Blüemli's verdict: Clonk. Not for basic. Basic insurers must take everyone, no questions. Supplementary insurers may ask, and say no.
ZUSATZVERSICHERUNG: literally: “addition insurance”; really: the optional extras, with health questions Ueli's Word
Be like Ueli. Basic for everyone. Extras with honest answers.
Learn more: Swiss health insurance for expats
The rule, explained
The Federal Office of Public Health, FOPH, sets out the rule in its fact sheet Wechsel der Krankenkasse of 23 September 2025. All insurers are obliged to accept new members in social health insurance without reservations and without a waiting period, so they may not ask for a health questionnaire, unlike an application for supplementary insurance. The fact sheet adds that when you cancel your basic insurance, the insurer may not force you to cancel a supplementary policy with the same company. Supplementary insurance falls under the Insurance Contract Act, VVG. Article 4 says you must disclose the facts asked about in the questionnaire. Under Article 6, if a relevant fact that was asked about is answered wrongly or kept quiet, the insurer may terminate the contract. So Ueli's 1994 wrist goes on the form.
Sources: FOPH (BAG), fact sheet Wechsel der Krankenkasse, 23 September 2025; Insurance Contract Act VVG (SR 221.229.1), Art. 4 and 6, fedlex
Questions people ask
Can a Swiss insurer refuse me for basic health insurance?
No. Every insurer must accept new members without reservations or a waiting period, and may not ask for a health questionnaire (FOPH fact sheet).
What happens if I answer a health question wrongly?
If a relevant fact asked about was answered wrongly or kept quiet, the insurer may terminate the supplementary contract (VVG, Art. 6).
Can I keep my supplementary insurance when I switch basic insurer?
Yes. The insurer may not force you to cancel the supplementary policy with it (FOPH fact sheet).
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