If you are coming to Switzerland, then yes, BUPA will be accepted - you can apply for a dispensation for up to 6 years which means you don't have to take out Swiss medical insurance. However, if you are already in the country you cannot take out BUPA, unless you take it out as an addition to your swiss insurance. 
Treesa, Feb 20, 2008 @ 19:59

I just moved to GE and had cancelled my BUPA six months ago.



Do you know if CIGNA is acceptable?
Bojangles76, Feb 20, 2008 @ 23:03

If you already have BUPA gold its accepted, our dispensation was for a maximum of 3 years after which the canton made sure we switched to Swiss insurance.
Niall_OG, Feb 21, 2008 @ 16:45

So since my permit has not yet arrived, could I take bupa gold out and put my uk address, and just transfer it in a few wks when my permit arrives?
flowerylyns, Feb 21, 2008 @ 19:18

Not sure. I think if you have an address here already then no as you are already in the country but you could try it! You could take out BUPA and then when your letter from the Swiss health insurance people comes, send them the BUPA certificate. If they say you were too late, you can cancel BUPA straight away. You don't need six months notice like you do here for everything!!!
Treesa, Feb 21, 2008 @ 19:44

If you already had normal BUPA from when you were in the UK and upgraded now to BUPA Gold to cover you in Switzerland then I think you would be fine as they will be checking how long you have had the policy for so the total time that you have been with BUPA regardless of policy should count.

Also when asking for the dispensation explain to them that you are new to Geneva and do not know how long you will be here and do not want a situation where you break cover with BUPA only to move back in a few years to the UK and then have a serious negative impact for serious illness cover, preexisting conditions, no claims bonus, etc as a result of breaking cover now. Tell them you will be more than happy to take out Swiss cover once you have clearly established that your position / family situation in Geneva is long term and that you feel 3(if you can get more go for it) years is a reasonable time frame to figure this out.

I personally did upgrade from normal BUPA to Gold and it was fine, but I think they will be sticky about it if you join as a new customer to BUPA Gold tomorrow

best of luck with it!
Niall_OG, Feb 21, 2008 @ 20:19