HealthFirst

Does My Health Insurance Cover The Cost Of An Ambulance?

8th June 2012

Further to my recent blog post about how to access emergency medical care for your child, another question has arisen about ambulances and whether their cost is covered by health insurance.

As you all know, a level of basic health insurance is compulsory in Switzerland. The Federal Office of Public Health in Switzerland produces a very comprehensive document about basic health insurance and what it covers. It is well worth reading. You can find the whole document by following this link to a radio show that I did last year about hospital stays in Switzerland and clicking on ‘download PDF’:
http://worldradio.ch/wrs/programmes/health/health-matters-the-ins-and-outs-of-a-hospital-stay.shtml?24989

I have lifted what they write about ambulances:

Medical transport and rescue:

Special transport may be needed to take you for treatment (e.g. an ambulance). Your basic health insurance covers half the cost of this kind of transport up to a maximum amount of CHF 500 per year. This also applies to medical transport in other countries.

Basic health insurance also covers half the cost of rescuing you if you are in mortal danger (e.g. after a mountaineering accident or a heart attack) up to an annual maximum amount of CHF 5,000 (applies only in Switzerland).

However, most people tend to have more cover than just the basic insurance. I would encourage everyone to check with their own health insurer as to the situation with your individual/family insurance policy and particularly any difference between children and adults in your family with regards to what is covered in the case of medical transport and rescue.

Dr Michelle Wright

More Articles

What to do in a poisoning emergency

Blog, Physical Health

What to do in a poisoning emergency

Do you know what to do in a poisoning emergency? Do you know about the poisoning emergency line Tox Info Swiss? 145 is the number.

7th March 2024

Glaucoma

Blog, Physical Health

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is the number one cause of irreversible blindness globally. Dr Michelle Wright explains that it can affect any one of any age, including babies.

4th March 2024

The Adolescence Rollercoaster

Blog, Mental Health, Youth

The Adolescence Rollercoaster

There are so many things that our young people have on their mind these days; reasons why they might struggle with their mental health. But perhaps one of biggest stressors adolescents face is adolescence itself! Can you remember the rollercoaster of yours?

15th February 2024

Stay in Touch

Keep up to date with all our latest training and courses