Supplementary Insurance (VVG)

Why supplementary insurance exists

The mandatory KVG system covers what is medically necessary, but it deliberately excludes many things people value: dental care, private hospital rooms, glasses, and alternative medicine. The VVG market — governed by private contract law rather than public insurance law — fills these gaps for those who want and can afford additional protection.

Unlike KVG, where you have a right to coverage regardless of your health, VVG insurers act like private insurance companies: they assess your risk before accepting you and can decline to cover pre-existing conditions permanently.

Hospital supplementary insurance

This is the most popular supplementary product in Switzerland. Basic insurance covers only the general ward of a public hospital in your home canton. Hospital supplements open up further options:

• Semi-private (Halbprivat): Two-bed room instead of multi-bed general ward; right to choose any chief physician (Chefarzt) in Switzerland regardless of canton. Popular with those who want continuity with a specific specialist.
• Private (Privat): Single room; right to choose any licensed doctor in Switzerland, including internationally renowned specialists. The premium is substantially higher.
• Flex or free-choice models: Some insurers offer plans where you can choose your hospital anywhere in Switzerland even without the private room — useful if you need specialised treatment only available in another canton.

Hospital supplements use health questionnaires. Previous surgeries, chronic conditions, or current treatments may lead to permanent exclusions for related conditions. Apply before any health issues develop.

Dental insurance

Dental care is the most common reason people wish they had bought supplementary insurance. Basic KVG covers dental work only if it results from a serious systemic illness (e.g. jaw damage from cancer treatment) — routine fillings, check-ups, crowns, and extractions are entirely your expense.

• Plans typically cover 50–75% of costs up to an annual cap (CHF 1,000–5,000 depending on the plan).
• Orthodontics for children is often included in higher-tier plans.
• Dental plans generally have a waiting period of 3 months before claims are accepted.
• Pre-existing dental conditions (e.g. pending root canal) are often excluded for 12–24 months.

Alternative medicine (Komplementärmedizin)

Treatments such as acupuncture, homeopathy, traditional Chinese medicine, anthroposophical medicine, and naturopathy (phytotherapy) are not covered by basic KVG insurance (with minor exceptions that have varied over time by referendum). Many supplementary plans include a contribution of CHF 500–1,500 per year toward recognised alternative practitioners.

Optical coverage

Adults receive no contribution from basic insurance toward glasses or contact lenses. Supplementary optical plans pay a fixed annual amount — typically CHF 150–400 per year — toward optical corrections. Some also include an eye examination contribution.

Travel health insurance

KVG covers emergency treatment abroad up to twice the Swiss tariff — which may be insufficient in countries with very high medical costs (particularly the USA). Travel supplementary insurance fills this gap for:

• Medical evacuation (Repatriierung) costs
• Treatment costs exceeding the KVG emergency tariff
• Trip cancellation due to illness (if included)

Mental health supplementary

Basic KVG now covers psychotherapy under the Anordnungsmodell (since 2022). However, waiting lists are long and the number of covered sessions is limited. Some supplementary plans cover additional sessions, alternative mental health support, or coaching beyond what KVG funds.

What to check before buying any VVG plan

• Waiting periods: Most dental plans have 3-month waiting periods; hospital plans are often effective immediately.
• Health questionnaire: Answer truthfully. Failing to disclose a known condition can void the entire policy.
• Contract duration and cancellation: VVG contracts often run for 1–5 years. Know the cancellation notice period (usually 3 months before expiry).
• Annual limits: Many plans have a lifetime or annual cap per category. Read the small print.
• You can mix and match insurers: Your supplementary insurer does not need to be the same as your basic KVG insurer. Shopping around separately often yields better deals.

Do you need supplementary insurance?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer. As a guide:

• Strongly recommended for most people: Dental (given Swiss dental costs) and hospital semi-private (if you value specialist choice).
• Worth considering: Alternative medicine if you use it regularly; optical if you wear glasses.
• Situational: Travel health if you visit countries with high medical costs; mental health supplements if waiting lists are a concern.
• Usually not necessary: Hospital private unless you specifically want a single room and unlimited specialist choice — it is expensive for what most people use day-to-day.