What does basic insurance cover and what does only supplementary insurance cover?
In short
Basic insurance is compulsory and pays the same benefits at every insurer.
Supplementary insurance is voluntary and covers comfort such as the semi-private ward in hospital or services such as the ordinary dentist. For supplementary insurance the insurer may ask health questions and turn you down.
GuideTo the answer in a few questions
Do you need supplementary insurance?
Choose what matters to you. You see whether basic insurance is enough.
All answers at a glance
What do you want to cover? Doctor, hospital and medicines
Basic insurance is enough. It covers everything medically necessary, in hospital the general ward and medicines on the list. You do not need supplementary insurance for that.
What do you want to cover? A semi-private or private hospital room
For that you need supplementary insurance. Basic insurance only pays the general ward. For supplementary insurance the insurer may ask health questions and turn you down. The younger and healthier you are, the easier it is to take out.
What do you want to cover? Dental treatment
Basic insurance does not pay ordinary dental treatment. Dental insurance pays off if it pays you back more than you pay in premium. Work this out for your age and your teeth before you sign up.
What do you want to cover? Glasses
Basic insurance only pays something for children. For children up to 18 it pays CHF 180 a year. For adults it pays no glasses. Supplementary insurance offers more, depending on the product.
What do you want to cover? Complementary medicine
Basic insurance only pays certain methods. It pays certain methods by doctors. Supplementary insurance covers further methods and therapists, depending on the product.
General overview according to KVG, as of 2026. With supplementary insurance each insurer decides for itself what it offers. Never cancel an existing one without a new confirmation. Not advice.
Want to know more?
What does each insurance cover?
| Service | Basic insurance | Supplementary insurance |
|---|---|---|
| Doctor, hospital general ward, medicines on the list | Yes | Not needed |
| Hospital semi-private or private | No | Yes |
| Ordinary dental treatment | No | Yes, depending on the product |
| Glasses for children up to 18 | CHF 180 a year | More, depending on the product |
| Glasses for adults | No | Yes, depending on the product |
| Complementary medicine | Only certain methods by doctors | More methods and therapists |
Basic insurance is the same everywhere. With supplementary insurance each insurer decides for itself what it offers. So compare the benefits, not just the premium.
What is different about supplementary insurance?
- Voluntary. Nobody has to have supplementary insurance.
- Health questions. The insurer may ask, turn you down or exclude individual illnesses. The younger and healthier you are, the easier it is to take out.
- Own contract. Your contract applies to cancellation and deadlines, not the rules of basic insurance.
What does that mean in francs?
A dental check-up with dental hygiene quickly costs a few hundred francs a year. Dental insurance pays off if it pays you back more than you pay in premium. Work this out for your age and your teeth before you sign up.
What many people get wrong
- “Without supplementary insurance I am poorly insured.” Wrong. Basic insurance covers everything medically necessary.
- “I can take out supplementary insurance at any time.” Not necessarily. With pre-existing conditions the insurer can turn you down. So never cancel an existing supplementary insurance without a new confirmation.
- “If I switch my basic insurance, I have to switch my supplementary insurance too.” Wrong. The two contracts are separate.
Frequently asked questions
Does basic insurance pay for the dentist?
As a rule, no. You pay for cavities, fillings and braces yourself or through supplementary insurance. There are exceptions after an accident and for certain serious illnesses.
Does health insurance pay for glasses?
For children and young people up to 18, basic insurance pays CHF 180 a year towards lenses or contact lenses prescribed by a doctor. For adults only supplementary insurance pays.
Can I have basic and supplementary insurance with different insurers?
Yes. They are two separate contracts. Many people have basic insurance with the cheapest insurer and supplementary insurance elsewhere.
Is hospital supplementary insurance worth it?
In hospital, basic insurance pays everything medically necessary in the general ward. Supplementary insurance brings free choice of doctor and a room with fewer beds. Whether that is worth the premium to you is a personal question.
What comes next?
Your path · My premium is rising Step 6 of 8
Your next step Do you get a premium subsidy for your health insurance?Sources and date 2 October 2026
- priminfo.admin.ch: Supplementary insurance, in German
- FOPH: Dental treatment, in German
- FOPH: Health insurance, benefits and tariffs, in German
- FOPH: Guide to compulsory health insurance, in German
This page explains in general terms and does not replace personal advice. Law and your policy are what counts.