Health insurance

Generally:

When going to the public hospital, medical bills will be sent directly to your insurance.

When going to a medical center of to a private doctor, the medical bill will be sent directly at you place of residence.

• You will have to pay it within 30 days.
• You can immediately ask for the reimbursement by sending the proof of refunding to your swiss health insurance.

• by increasing the deductible between 300.- CHF and CHF 2500.- CHF. In case of a high deductible, it is important to set aside the deductible amount to be able to pay the bills if there are any.
• by accepting a limited choice of doctors.
• by applying for a subsidy: Swiss students and foreign students with a C permit may apply to the cantonal officies for premium reduction.

Swiss students from abroad who never lived in Switzerland can obtain an exemption from the obligation LAMal insurance. The procedure is the same as for EU students and non EU students.

Students from EU countries are entitled to an exemption from the obligation to use Swiss insurers provided that they observe the following procedure :

• They must obtain the European Health Insurance Card from their insurer in their home country.
• The copy of the European Health Insurance Card should then be sent for registration to the OVAM. This office will issue the exemption from taking out Swiss insurance.

Caution: It is advisable to inquire with the insurance company about whether all treatments will be covered during the stay in Switzerland and what amounts will be reimbursed.

Once you have taken the necessary steps to obtain a health insurance exemption (see chapter above), here is how to pay for your medical expenses:

When going to the public hospital, medical bills will be either  sent directly to the Institution Commune LAMAL or sent to your place of residence (if it is the case, see chapter “Reimbursement below).

When going to a medical center or a private doctor, medical bills will be sent to your place of residence. Here is how to proceed:

Payment: You must pay the medical bill within 30 days.

Reimbursement: You can immediately ask for the reimbursement by sending the following documents to the Institution Commune LAMAL :

• proof of refunding (care details)
• copy of the European Health Insurance Card
• copy of the ID
• Account number (IBAN)

92.- CHF will be charged by the Institution Commune LAMAL for any period of 30 days of cares, all types of care. Exemples when 92.- CHF is charged one time in a period of 30 days:

• I break my leg
• I break my leg, 3 days after I am sick, 10 days after I have a psychotherapeutic consultation
• I have a psychotherapeutic consultation
• I have 3 psychotherapeutic consultation
• I go to hospital as an outpatient or in emergency

The amount reimbursed will be the invoice/s amount/s minus the 92.- CHF.

Good to know

• If you send the bill to your foreign insurance without going through the Institution Commune LAMAL, the benefits will be reimbursed according to the rates in your country.
• For students aged 25 and above, in case of hospitalization, the daily cost participation is 15.- CHF.
• In the event of significant medical treatment or intervention, it is essential to check the reimbursement with your insurer and the Institution Commune LAMAL. There may be exceptions and treatments not covered.

It is mandatory to take out health insurance within three months of the date you take up residence unless you have a foreign health insurance which covers unlimitadely the costs in Switzerland.

To benefit from an exemption, the medical and accident insurance provided by the foreign company must have an unlimitate cover for treatments in Switzerland.

In certain cases students may ask to remain affiliated to a foreign insurance company. To do this, they must send a request to the OVAM.

The exemption is valid for a maximum of 6 years. Swiss insurance must then be taken out after.

EPFL disclaims all liability for any medical bills incurred by students in breach of insurance terms.

When going to the public hospital, medical bills will be sent directly to your insurance.

When going to a medical center of to a private doctor, the medical bill will be sent directly at you place of residence.

• You will have to pay it within 30 days. 
• You can immediately request reimbursement from your Swiss health insurer by sending the proof of refunding (care details)

If you go abroad (for an internship, an exchange period, a study trip, etc…) it is recommend (and it is your responsability) to check the insurance’s coverage (check the coverage deadline abroad) and take out, in addition to the basic coverage, an additional insurance if necessary.

Other information regarding travels on this page.

It is mandatory to take out health insurance from the moment you take up residence (or give birth to a child) in Switzerland. (See chapter 3 of “Loi fédérale sur l’assurance-maladie”). In case of delay, the insurance and the payment of premiums will be backdated to the first day in Switzerland and penalties will be given according to the insurer conditions. (See chapter 5 of “Loi fédérale sur l’assurance-maladie”)

• by increasing the deductible between 300.- CHF and CHF 2500.- CHF. In the event of a high deductible, it is important to set aside the deductible amount to ensure the ability to cover any bills. No financial support from EPFL will be available in case of a high bill.
• by accepting a limited choice of doctors.