Switzerland spends around 12% of gross domestic product (GDP) on health care. Keystone / Alessandro Della Valle
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Health insurance premiums will drop 0.2% in 2022, according to estimates released Tuesday by health authorities. It would be the first time in 14 years that the costs of the sector have registered a decrease.
This content was published on September 29, 2021 – 10:50
Keystone-SDA/sb
“The reduction in healthcare premiums is very good news for the Swiss population. It is the result of the Confederation’s constant efforts to contain healthcare costs and reduce the reserves of health insurance companies, ”declared Health Minister Alain Berset on Tuesday.
The measure is due to the adjusted calculation of the premiums in relation to the health costs estimated for 2022, to the voluntary reductions of the reserves of some insurers, but also to the set of measures adopted by the Federal Council to reduce health costs, Berset said at a press conference.
The average monthly health insurance premium for 2022 would cost 315 30 francs. Depending on the canton, the cost of a premium is expected to vary between a decrease of 2.1% and an increase of 1.4%.
This represents an average reduction of 0.2% compared to 2021 and the first decrease since 2008. In the last ten years, health insurance premiums have increased annually by 2.4% on average.
Basic health insurance is mandatory for all Swiss residents and many people choose to purchase supplemental coverage.
The 0.2% average premium reduction will be combined with the 380 million francs that insurers will pay policyholders as a reduction in reserves, Berset said. These two elements will allow a reduction of more than 1% in the real cost of premiums for Swiss households, he added.
Santésuisse, the umbrella organization for health insurers, welcomed the announcement, but warned that health care costs should be cut to ensure premiums remain affordable.
In general, the Swiss healthcare system is known for its excellent level of care, but it is also among the most expensive in the world. Switzerland spends around 12% of gross domestic product (GDP) on health care.
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