Supplementary insurance guide

Supplementary insurance benefits compared

Basic insurance doesn't pay for a lot of things. Here you can see how much Swiss health insurers contribute through their supplementary insurance to complementary medicine, fitness, massages, glasses, travel, teeth, braces and health cures.

How supplementary insurance is structured

Package: outpatient supplementary insurance

Covers several areas at once, e.g. glasses, fitness, massages, complementary medicine and emergencies abroad (e.g. SWICA Completa, Helsana COMPLETA, Sanitas Vital, CSS myFlex).

Stand-alone modules

Insurers also offer some benefits as separate insurance, above all dental, complementary medicine and travel. These can be taken out on their own or in addition to the package.

1. Complementary and alternative medicine

What does compulsory basic insurance (KVG/LAMal) pay?

Basic insurance covers only five defined methods:

Acupuncture
Anthroposophic medicine
Classical homeopathy
Phytotherapy (herbal medicine)
Drug therapy in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)

The strict condition:

The treatment must be carried out by a doctor holding a recognised FMH certificate of proficiency in the method concerned. If you see a self-employed naturopath or therapist without a medical degree, basic insurance pays nothing. The costs also count towards your deductible (franchise) and the 10% co-payment as usual.

What does supplementary insurance (VVG) pay?

If you want to see self-employed therapists (e.g. for osteopathy, kinesiology, Ayurveda or medical massage), supplementary insurance steps in. Insurers usually cover 75% to 90% of the costs, but cap the amount at an annual maximum. Here is an overview of the main Swiss health insurers and their maximum benefits:

Insurer and product	Share of costs covered	Maximum per calendar year	Special features and restrictions
Groupe MutuelMutuel Alterna / Global	80%	up to CHF 10’000.–	Very high cover in Global Classic (Plus option). From age 19, Alterna is subject to a separate annual deductible of CHF 300.–.
CSSmyFlex / Livo	up to 90%	up to CHF 10’000.–	Depending on the tariff (Premium offers the highest rate). Wide choice of around 70 recognised therapy methods.
ÖKKSpital / Natur	80%	up to CHF 10’000.–	Three levels to choose from (up to CHF 1’000.–, CHF 5’000.– or CHF 10’000.–). An annual deductible of CHF 300.– applies to alternative medicine.
KPTPulse Premium / Top	75%	up to CHF 4’000.–	Pulse Top pays up to CHF 2’000.–, Pulse Premium up to CHF 4’000.– per year. A small separate deductible of CHF 100.– applies.
VisanaAmbulant II / III	90%	up to CHF 4’000.–	In the higher levels, covers 90% of treatment costs for a wide range of methods.
SwicaCompleta Top / Optima	90%	Unlimited or capped	Completa Top covers 90% of the costs. Combined with Optima, benefits for recognised methods are extremely high or in some cases uncapped.
SanitasVital Premium	80%	up to CHF 2’500.–	Covers 80% of the costs up to the maximum. The smaller Vital Smart option pays correspondingly less.
HelsanaCompleta	75%	No fixed limit (cap per session)	Covers 75% of the costs of alternative therapies and medicines. There are often maximum amounts per session.
AssuraNatura	Fixed amount	CHF 80.– per session	Unlimited number of sessions for recognised therapies, but pays only a flat CHF 80.– per appointment. Deductible of CHF 200.–.

Package or stand-alone module:

At many insurers, complementary medicine is part of outpatient supplementary insurance. Some insurers also offer it as separate supplementary insurance (e.g. Assura Natura or Concordia NATURA). We are happy to show you which solution suits you at your insurer.

Key criteria: when do they actually pay?

For your supplementary insurance to accept your naturopath's invoice, two conditions must be met:

1. Recognition of the therapist (EMR / ASCA)This is the biggest hurdle. Health insurers work with registration bodies such as the EMR (Swiss register of complementary medicine practitioners) or the ASCA Foundation. Your therapist must be certified by these registers for the method used. Before the first session, ask the therapist directly: “Are you recognised by my health insurer via EMR/ASCA?”
2. The insurer's list of methodsNot every insurer covers each of the more than 200 alternative treatment methods. Exotic therapies are often refused, while classics such as osteopathy, medical massage, kinesiology and shiatsu are almost always included in the catalogue.

2. Gyms: maximum contributions from health insurers

Maximum contributions from health insurers

Here is an overview of the maximum contributions Swiss health insurers grant through their supplementary insurance (as of 2026/2027):

Insurer	Maximum contribution per year	Main requirements and details
Swica	up to CHF 900.–	Usually made up of several modules (e.g. Completa Forte, Praevita and Optima). Covers up to 90% of the costs.
CSS	up to CHF 700.–/800.–	Paid via the “health account” (e.g. in myFlex). Basic contribution of up to CHF 500.– for fitness, plus bonuses for a health-promoting lifestyle.
KPT	up to CHF 600.–	Up to CHF 600.– is possible with the Pulse Premium supplementary insurance (KPT Comfort pays up to CHF 300.–).
Atupri	up to CHF 500.–	The Intense supplementary insurance pays 75% up to CHF 500.–. The cheaper Basic option pays up to CHF 200.–.
Groupe Mutuel	up to CHF 500.–	Depending on the outpatient supplementary insurance chosen.
Sanitas	up to CHF 400.–	The Vital Premium product covers 80% of the costs up to max. CHF 400.–. Vital Smart pays up to CHF 200.– or 300.–.
Rhenusana	up to CHF 400.–	Via the relevant outpatient supplementary insurance.
EGK	up to CHF 360.–	Via EGK supplementary insurance.
Aquilana	up to CHF 300.–	The TOP supplementary insurance covers 50% of the costs up to max. CHF 300.–.
KPT, ÖKK, SLKK, Sympany	up to CHF 300.–	Standard prevention contributions in the mid-range outpatient modules.
Concordia, Helsana, Visana	up to CHF 200.–	In the usual supplementary insurance products, contributions here are often capped at this maximum.

Health account and Qualitop:

Many insurers pay fitness contributions via a so-called “health account” in outpatient supplementary insurance. It is almost always a condition that the gym is quality-certified (e.g. Qualitop). Insurers generally don't offer separate insurance just for fitness.

3. Medical massage

What does basic insurance (KVG/LAMal) pay?

For medical massage (e.g. classical massage, sports massage or connective tissue massage), the same principle applies in Switzerland: compulsory basic insurance (KVG) does not cover any costs for massage, not even for medical complaints such as severe back pain.

The only exception:

The only exception under basic insurance is physiotherapy prescribed by a doctor (where massage techniques can be part of the treatment). For stand-alone medical massage you need outpatient supplementary insurance for complementary medicine or prevention.

Overview: what supplementary insurance pays

Through the relevant supplementary insurance, most Swiss health insurers cover 50% to 90% of the costs of a medical massage, capped at an annual maximum:

Insurer and product	Share of costs covered	Maximum per calendar year	Special features and tariffs
CSSmyFlex	75%	up to CHF 2’000.–	Economy: up to CHF 200.–. Balance: up to CHF 600.–. Premium: up to CHF 2’000.–.
SanitasVital	80%	up to CHF 750.–	Vital Smart: max. CHF 250.– or CHF 500.–. Vital Premium: max. CHF 750.–.
SwicaCompleta Top	90%	Very high limits	Combined with the Optima module, extremely high contributions are possible, or uncapped ones for certain medical indications.
KPTPulse	75%	up to CHF 4’000.–	Pulse Top: up to CHF 2’000.–. Pulse Premium: up to CHF 4’000.– (minus a separate deductible of CHF 100.–).
HelsanaCompleta	75%	No fixed annual limit	Pays 75% of the costs, but often limits reimbursement with a cap per session.
Groupe MutuelAlterna	80%	Depending on the module	Covers 80% of the costs; for adults often subject to a separate annual deductible.

Package or stand-alone module:

Medical massage is usually part of outpatient supplementary insurance or of supplementary insurance for complementary medicine. There is generally no separate insurance just for massage.

The 3 key conditions for reimbursement

For your supplementary insurance to pay the massage invoice without any problems, you need to bear the following criteria in mind:

1. Recognition of the practitioner (ZSR number)The health insurer does not check which massage you have, but who performs it. The massage therapist must have their own ZSR number (Swiss creditor register number) and be listed in the EMR or ASCA registers for the method “medical massage” or “classical massage”.
2. Federal diploma (important for some insurers)Large insurers such as Visana, Helsana, Swica or Sympany increasingly require the therapist to hold the federal diploma of higher education (eidgenössischer Fachausweis) before reimbursing medical massage. Massage therapists with just a certificate and no such diploma are often rejected by these insurers.
3. Medical need rather than pure wellnessInsurers only contribute to massages that relieve complaints or support rehabilitation (e.g. muscle tension, postural problems). Pure relaxation or hot-stone massages at a spa hotel count as wellness and are not covered. With supplementary insurance a doctor's prescription is usually not needed beforehand; you can book an appointment directly.

4. Glasses and contact lenses: basic and supplementary insurance

What does compulsory basic insurance (KVG/LAMal) pay?

Basic insurance only pays in a few exceptional cases strictly regulated by law (according to the list of aids and appliances, MiGeL):

Children and teenagers (up to 18) CHF 180.67 per calendar yearThey receive CHF 180.67 per calendar year towards lenses or contact lenses (frames are not covered). An annual prescription from an ophthalmologist is required.
Exceptions due to illness (adults) CHF 180.– to CHF 632.–In the case of serious changes in vision caused by illness (e.g. diabetes), after eye surgery or with severe visual impairment, the insurer pays between CHF 180.– and CHF 632.– on presentation of an ophthalmologist's prescription (depending on the medical indication and severity).
New since July 2024 (myopia management) up to CHF 850.–For progressive short-sightedness in children/teenagers, basic insurance contributes up to CHF 850.– towards special glasses or contact lenses, subject to strict ophthalmological criteria.

What does supplementary insurance (VVG) pay?

Outpatient supplementary insurance covers the costs of regular glasses, contact lenses and often part of laser eye surgery.

Important to know:

Most insurers don't pay these amounts every year, but on a rolling basis every 3 calendar years.

Insurer and product	Maximum contribution	Frequency	Conditions
KPTPulse Premium	up to CHF 500.–	Every 3 years	Additionally up to CHF 600.– per eye for laser eye surgery; 365-day waiting period.
ÖKKKombination Premium	up to CHF 480.–	Every 3 years	Depending on the exact combination of modules.
SanitasVital Premium	up to CHF 400.–	Every 3 years	Vital Smart pays up to CHF 200.–.
AXAGesundheitskasse COMPLET	up to CHF 300.–	Per calendar year	No prescription required; the PLUS option pays CHF 150.–.
CSSmyFlex Premium	up to CHF 300.–	Per calendar year	Also applies to prescription sunglasses; myFlex Balance pays CHF 150.–.
SWICACompleta Top + Supplementa	up to CHF 300.–	Every 3 calendar years	As an additional contribution via the Supplementa module.
AgrisanoAGRI-spezial	up to CHF 200.–	Every 2 years	No doctor's prescription required for adults.
HelsanaCompleta	up to CHF 300.–	Per calendar year	90% of the costs of lenses and contact lenses. TOP on its own: up to CHF 150.–.

Good to know:

Contributions towards glasses and contact lenses are usually part of outpatient supplementary insurance. Many insurers also contribute to laser eye surgery, and the contributions often also apply to sunglasses with prescription lenses.

5. Travel and abroad

The big gaps in basic insurance cover

If you travel without supplementary cover, the following applies:

Within EU / EFTA countriesYou are entitled to medically necessary treatment under the laws and tariffs of the country you are visiting (via the European Health Insurance Card EHIC on the back of your Swiss card). You still have to pay the local co-payment yourself.
Note: private clinics in tourist areas are often excluded.
Outside the EU / EFTA (e.g. USA, Thailand)Basic insurance pays at most twice the amount the same treatment would have cost in your Swiss canton of residence. However, a day in a US intensive care unit can easily cost CHF 5’000.– to 10’000.–, leaving you with thousands of francs in remaining costs.
The biggest risk: search, rescue and repatriationBasic insurance covers no costs at all for search and rescue operations and pays 0 francs towards repatriation to Switzerland by air ambulance. Such a jet transfer from overseas can easily cost CHF 80’000.– to CHF 100’000.–.

What supplementary insurance pays (examples)

Outpatient supplementary insurance closes these gaps almost completely and offers worldwide cover plus 24-hour emergency assistance.

Insurer and product	Emergency treatment costs worldwide	Rescue, recovery and search	Repatriation to Switzerland
SwicaCompleta Top	100% coverPays all uncovered remaining costs	UnlimitedIf medically necessary	100% coverOrganisation and costs
HelsanaCompleta	100% coverFull protection in emergencies	up to CHF 20’000.– per case	100% coverOrganised by the emergency centre
CSSmyFlex	100% coverFully supplements KVG worldwide	100% coverIn the Balance/Premium tariffs	100% coverWhere medically appropriate
SanitasVital Premium	100% coverWorldwide emergency cover	up to CHF 20’000.– per year	100% cover
KPTComfort / Pulse	100% coverCovers all remaining costs	up to CHF 20’000.–	100% cover
VisanaAmbulant	100% cover	up to CHF 25’000.–	100% cover
AXAGesundheitskasse	100% cover	up to CHF 20’000.–	100% cover

A note on travel modules:

Many insurers also offer dedicated “holiday and travel insurance”. This often also covers cancellation costs or luggage.

Package or stand-alone module:

Cover for medical emergencies abroad is usually included in outpatient supplementary insurance. If you also want to insure cancellation costs or luggage, many insurers let you take out separate holiday and travel insurance.

Overview: separate travel and abroad modules from health insurers

Some insurers offer cover abroad not (only) in outpatient supplementary insurance, but as a stand-alone product that is insured separately.

Insurer and product	Type of cover and special features
HelsanaWORLD	Purely separate module for abroad. Complements basic insurance abroad perfectly. No health check. Covers 100% of emergency treatment and repatriation costs.
Groupe MutuelMundo	Stand-alone travel health insurance. Can be taken out regardless of age. Covers treatment costs worldwide up to CHF 100’000.– per year, plus search operations and repatriation at 100%.
AssuraMondia / Mondia Plus	Separate travel product. Designed specifically for trips of up to 45 consecutive days. Offers unlimited cover for emergency treatment and air ambulance flights abroad.
CSSTravel insurance	Modular insurance. CSS travel insurance is completely independent of the classic myFlex supplementary health insurance. It can be booked as a treatment-costs-only option or extended to include cancellation costs and luggage.
EGKAllianz-Jahresreise	Partnership product. EGK offers comprehensive cover through stand-alone annual travel insurance arranged in cooperation with Allianz Travel.

Important note on former products

Swica (Vacanza): Swica's well-known Vacanza travel module, which used to be taken out separately, was closed to new business as of 31.12.2025. Existing contracts continue until they expire, but for new customers at Swica the cover is now mainly integrated into the comprehensive outpatient package Completa Top.

The alternative: when is a health insurer the wrong choice?

If you are looking for a product that covers not only treatment costs (i.e. doctor's visits and hospital) but also typical travel mishaps, it is often worth looking beyond health insurers to specialist travel insurers.

Holiday checklist: what to look out for

1. Check the period of coverIf you have classic outpatient supplementary insurance, cover abroad usually applies only to temporary trips (often limited to a maximum of 3 to 12 consecutive months). For longer round-the-world trips or if you emigrate, you need special international health insurance.
2. Save the emergency numberIn a medical emergency abroad, call (if possible) your supplementary insurer's emergency number before any major treatment or transport (e.g. santé24 at Swica). Insurers often require a so-called cost guarantee before approving expensive private clinics or air ambulance flights.
3. Accident cover through your employer?If you work more than 8 hours a week for the same employer in Switzerland, you are automatically insured worldwide for non-occupational accidents too under the UVG (Federal Accident Insurance Act). The UVG also covers treatment costs abroad up to twice the Swiss tariff, plus a maximum of approx. CHF 29’640.– for rescue and transport. For illnesses (e.g. appendicitis on holiday), however, the UVG never pays.

6. Dental treatment and dental hygiene

What dental supplementary insurance pays

This is how much the dental supplementary insurance of the major Swiss health insurers covers, including prophylaxis and dental hygiene:

Insurer and product	Share of costs covered	Maximum per calendar year	Special features and prophylaxis / dental hygiene
HelsanaDENTAplus	50% to 75%	CHF 300.– to CHF 3’000.–	Light: 75% up to CHF 300.–. Gold: 75% up to CHF 3’000.–. Also covers check-ups and braces.
CSSDental insurance	50% to 75%	CHF 500.– to CHF 5’000.–	Offers various levels. In the higher levels, up to CHF 5’000.– per year (or unlimited amounts for children) are possible.
SwicaDENTA 1–4	50% to 75%	CHF 500.– to CHF 2’000.–	Denta 1: 50% up to CHF 500.–, Denta 2: 50% up to CHF 1’000.–, Denta 3: 75% up to CHF 1’500.–, Denta 4: 75% up to CHF 2’000.–. The outpatient supplementary insurance Completa Top / Forte also pays 50% up to CHF 100.–.
SanitasDental	80%	CHF 500.– to CHF 2’000.–	Covers a flat 80% of treatment costs depending on the level chosen (Basic to Top).
VisanaZahnPflege	50% to 70%	CHF 500.– to CHF 3’000.–	Level 1 pays 50% up to CHF 500.–. Higher levels cover up to 70% or a maximum of CHF 3’000.–.
KPTDental	75%	CHF 200.– to CHF 2’000.–	Divided into three benefit classes. Class 3 pays 75% of the costs up to a maximum of CHF 2’000.–.
Groupe MutuelDentaire Plus	50% to 75%	CHF 250.– to CHF 3’000.–	The entry-level option covers CHF 250.–, the top option pays 75% up to a maximum of CHF 3’000.–.

Package or stand-alone module:

At most insurers, dental treatment is covered by separate dental insurance (e.g. SWICA DENTA, Helsana DENTAplus, Visana ZahnPflege). At some insurers a contribution is also included in outpatient supplementary insurance. We are happy to show you which solution suits you at your insurer.

Key hurdles and pitfalls before you sign up

Dental supplementary insurance is fundamentally different from other supplementary insurance. You should bear the following hurdles in mind:

The dentist's certificate (health check)From a certain age (usually from the 4th or 5th year of life), almost all health insurers require an up-to-date dental report from a dentist before you can sign up.
Exclusion of existing problemsIf the dentist already notes tooth decay, an upcoming root canal treatment or misaligned teeth on the certificate, the insurer will exclude this condition from cover or reject the application altogether.
Waiting periodsMany insurers pay no or only very small contributions in the first 6 months to 1 year after the contract starts. Taking out insurance because you need an expensive crown next week therefore doesn't work.

7. Orthodontics and tooth alignment (children and teenagers)

Braces and jaw corrections are among the most expensive items in a family budget. As compulsory basic insurance (KVG) only pays in extreme exceptional cases caused by illness, taking out dental supplementary insurance in good time is essential.

ℹ️ Transparency note:

We compare the tariffs of all 32 Swiss health insurers. The table shows the differences in benefits across the entire market.

Insurer and product	Share of costs covered	Maximum per calendar year	Special features and prophylaxis
CSSDental insurance Premium	50% to 75%	up to CHF 5’000.–	Very high levels; in some cases unlimited amounts possible for children.
HelsanaDENTAplus Gold	75%	up to CHF 3’000.–	Also covers check-ups, dental hygiene and braces.
VisanaZahnPflege level 3	70%	up to CHF 3’000.–	Tiered benefit classes (level 1 pays up to CHF 500.–).
SwicaCompleta Top / Forte + DENTA 1–4	50% (Completa) + 50% to 75% (DENTA)	up to CHF 10’000.– (Completa) + CHF 1’000.– to 4’000.– (DENTA)	Up to age 25. The outpatient supplementary insurance Completa Top / Forte alone pays 50% up to CHF 10’000.–. DENTA 1: 50% up to CHF 1’000.–, DENTA 2: 50% up to CHF 2’000.–, DENTA 3: 75% up to CHF 3’000.–, DENTA 4: 75% up to CHF 4’000.–. Combined, the benefits complement each other.
SanitasDental Top	80%	up to CHF 2’000.–	Flat-rate cover depending on the tariff level chosen (Basic to Top).
KPTDental class 3	75%	up to CHF 2’000.–	Divided into three clear benefit classes.
Groupe MutuelDentaire Plus	50% to 75%	up to CHF 3’000.–	The entry-level option starts at CHF 250.–.
Other insurersSympany, ÖKK, Concordia etc.	50% to 75%	Market average: CHF 1’000.– to 2’000.–	Benefits vary greatly depending on the regional module.

Combining outpatient supplementary insurance and dental insurance:

At some health insurers, outpatient supplementary insurance already pays part of orthodontic treatment, e.g. SWICA Completa Top / Forte 50% up to CHF 10’000.– per year up to age 25. Separate dental insurance such as SWICA DENTA complements these benefits. Without a serious disease of the masticatory system as precisely defined by law, basic insurance pays nothing. To sign up, insurers usually require a dental report from a dentist.

8. Recuperation and health cures

After serious illness, accidents or operations, doctors often prescribe a cure for recuperation. Compulsory basic insurance only covers costs under very strict conditions in state-approved spa facilities. Outpatient supplementary insurance closes the gap for the stay and recuperation.

Insurer and tariff level	Daily flat rate for cures	Maximum duration / conditions
Top performerse.g. CSS Premium, Swica	CHF 60.– to CHF 80.– per day	Usually limited to 21 to 30 days per calendar year.
Market averagee.g. Helsana, Sanitas, Visana	CHF 30.– to CHF 50.– per day	Doctor's prescription mandatory; the cure facility must be recognised.
Entry-level tariffse.g. Assura, smaller regional insurers	CHF 10.– to CHF 25.– per day	Often linked to a separate medical indication.

Package or stand-alone module:

Contributions towards cures are almost always part of outpatient supplementary insurance. At some insurers, hospital supplementary insurance also includes a contribution towards cure or recuperation stays after a hospital stay. Cures are hardly ever available as a stand-alone module. We are happy to show you which solution suits you at your insurer.

Information without guarantee. We are happy to check which solution suits you, free of charge and without obligation.

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