Isaac,

This world is indeed a crazy place when money is more important than health.

When your heart stops for good, you won't be doing any more calculating!

That said, worrying about money surely makes us sick in the first place. 

My advice, try to find a GOOD doctor. Your heart, or any other body part contributing to brain function, has to be something that you would want to invest in. 

There is good hospital with a reputable name in Annemasse : best to give them a telephone call and ask them if this would be possible, whereafter you could ask the price. FYI, just come home from having an MRI [IRM en francais] which has cost me €90.-- It's not the same of course, but might put the cost into perspective. Yes health is more important than the cost, but why not save a little if you can?

Thank you for the info. I googled the hospital and I think you are referring to the Centre hospitalier Annemasse-Bonville? I have writtento them so lets see what they say. Btw, are you on a French health insurance or a Swiss one? Thanks again.

French - we live in Evian

here is a list of cardiologists in Geneva.

http://geneva.angloinfo.com/af/773/geneva-cardiologists-and-heart-specialists.html

You could maybe contact a couple of them and ask how much it would cost here?

if you are thinking of going to the French hospital above, I've no idea of their reputation, but it is a bit in the middle of nowhere so you would have to think about transport somehow if you don't have a car yourself.

oh,  just an afterthought.

if you pay taxes here, you should able to get reimboursed on medical bills exceeding your franchise/deductable on the following year's tax declaration. 

TogJay, ( as well as all of you who have been so helpful!)many thanks for all the info. Switzerland suddenly seems like a more friendlier place and that yearning to be back home is disappearing!

For the tax rebate situation.

 A tax rebate can be applied for, for medical bills over a certain amount if not repaid by the Swiss insurance and if ordered by a doctor practising in Switzerland.

There is a baseline for a certain amount  that has to be unpaid by the insurance before you can apply for a rebate i.e. it it is not a 100% rebate of the bills. I know it is explained in the tax declaration but I can't remember the exact details. I think it also depends on your income and general situation too, the extent to which you can receive this rebate.

Maybe someone with a more mathmatical mind can explain better than me.

You could maybe also check with the tax office or your insurance about his. 

A bit more accurate..

For the tax declaration instructions,  it goes something like this

If you have been charged medical expenses at your expense please indicate the amount separately
We mean by medical cost to you the portion not covered by your health insurance and not supported by another organization for expenses arising from illness and accident
For Cantonal tax  the portion that exceeds 0.5% of net income determined is taken into account, and for Federal Direct tax the portion that exceeds 5% of net revenue determined is taken into account.

You send no receipts-proof with the declaration but these must be kept handy to show the tax administration if they so wish.

For the insurance you claim for the amount not repaid by them at the end of the year for the year just gone.. if you see what I mean. You will generally receive a readout from them with this amount on it in the post.

Just to give you a price idea.. 

I had the full check a few months ago in Geneva. Three visits to the cardio doctor, ECG, holter, treadmil (well it was actually a bike), BP.. Whole thing.  I did not get a GP referal, I just found the cardio, made appointment and went.

Cost was just over 800chf, insurance paid 90%.

But obviously check with you insurer, you might need a referal, they may not cover "check ups" etc etc.

Thanks again! Very useful, this.

Thanks John. Gives me a clear picture of possible costs involve. Now to the insurer...