You should ask if the doctor is registered with the Swiss public health service and show your EHIC. You will normally have to pay the full cost for treatment and services and claim a refund afterwards. If you are admitted to hospital, the invoice will go directly to the 'Gemeinsame Einrichtung KVG'. You will have to pay a fixed charge (CHF 92 for adults and CHF 33 for children) for each 30-day period of treatment. This is known as the ‘excess charge’, or ‘deductible’, or ‘patient’s contribution’, and is not refundable in Switzerland but you may be able to seek reimbursement when you are back in the UK.
Doctors
You can consult any doctor registered with the Swiss health insurance scheme.
Dentists
Dental treatment is not covered unless it results from serious illness or an accident.
Hospital treatment
You will normally be referred to a public hospital by a doctor. In an emergency, go directly to the emergency department of any public hospital.
Inpatient treatment in a public hospital is covered, but not in a semi-private or private ward, or in a private hospital.
Prescriptions
Medicines prescribed by a doctor, and are on the official lists, are covered.
Ambulance
Ambulance travel is covered for up to 50% of the cost and a maximum amount of CHF 500 per year. This is non-refundable in Switzerland but you may be able to seek reimbursement when you are back in the UK.
Air ambulance
Fifty percent of the cost of emergency rescue and up to an annual maximum amount of CHF 5000 is covered. This is non-refundable in Switzerland but you may be able to seek reimbursement when you are back in the UK.
