Thanks to all who offered help during my "Eye Emergency" the other day!! I ended up going to the Permanence across the street from my office after not being able to get a same day appointment with an Opthalmologist. I was in and out and had miracle drops in hand within an hour!! Things are looking much brighter now!!! Merci beaucoup!! ;)
BUT as a result of going to Urgent Care, I found out that Emergency room visits are free if you have Swiss health insurance....well, wouldn't ya know it....I have US insurance (figures....as if a pain somewhere else was what I really needed at that moment). My company thought that US Global coverage (PPO) was the best plan when they sent me here. And I thought it would be better as well since I would get about 80% of most medical, dental and vision care reimbursed, and I less than $20 per month. But now I am wondering if it would actually be better to get Swiss health insurance. The US sounds like a good deal...but is somewhat of a hassle to deal with.
Has anyone else out there in Expat land had to deal with something like this? No one at my work can really tell me which is the better way to go.
Forums in Geneva > Geneva > The Eyes have it! US vs Swiss medical insurance...??
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The Eyes have it! US vs Swiss medical insurance...??
Mar 30, 2006 @ 22:06
The text you are quoting:
Thanks to all who offered help during my "Eye Emergency" the other day!! I ended up going to the Permanence across the street from my office after not being able to get a same day appointment with an Opthalmologist. I was in and out and had miracle drops in hand within an hour!! Things are looking much brighter now!!! Merci beaucoup!! ;)
BUT as a result of going to Urgent Care, I found out that Emergency room visits are free if you have Swiss health insurance....well, wouldn't ya know it....I have US insurance (figures....as if a pain somewhere else was what I really needed at that moment). My company thought that US Global coverage (PPO) was the best plan when they sent me here. And I thought it would be better as well since I would get about 80% of most medical, dental and vision care reimbursed, and I less than $20 per month. But now I am wondering if it would actually be better to get Swiss health insurance. The US sounds like a good deal...but is somewhat of a hassle to deal with.
Has anyone else out there in Expat land had to deal with something like this? No one at my work can really tell me which is the better way to go.
BetZMar 30, 2006 @ 22:06
BUT as a result of going to Urgent Care, I found out that Emergency room visits are free if you have Swiss health insurance....well, wouldn't ya know it....I have US insurance (figures....as if a pain somewhere else was what I really needed at that moment). My company thought that US Global coverage (PPO) was the best plan when they sent me here. And I thought it would be better as well since I would get about 80% of most medical, dental and vision care reimbursed, and I less than $20 per month. But now I am wondering if it would actually be better to get Swiss health insurance. The US sounds like a good deal...but is somewhat of a hassle to deal with.
Has anyone else out there in Expat land had to deal with something like this? No one at my work can really tell me which is the better way to go.
BetZMar 30, 2006 @ 22:06
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Re: The Eyes have it! US vs Swiss medical insurance...??
Post 1
Mar 31, 2006 @ 04:23
EVERYTHING is covered here. Swiss insurance is VERY regulated (as are the cost doctors can charge, which is why it is so much cheaper in CH than the US), and you really do get a better deal, and the insurance companies more-or-less have to pay, even if you have a longstanding issue, and usually even with pre-existing conditions (they don't have all the same clauses that U.S. insurers do).
I'd drop an American policy in a heartbeat and get a Swiss one. You can always go back to the U.S. policy.
I remember paying thousands for emergency room care in deductible and non-covered costs, in my first month of professional work (ouch!). This is a non-issue in Switzerland.
Swiss insurance is expensive, in U.S. terms, but only from the perspective that most companies here don't pay for your insurance (as opposed to U.S. employers, that usually cover most or all of insurance for professional jobs).
What I'd do is negotiate with your employer to pay for most (or all) of your Swiss insurance. Ask them to also cover a portion of the "assurance complementaire", which is a 2nd level of insurance that covers all kinds of wellness medicine like massages, naturopathy and even thalassotherpay (something where you go to a spa and get water sprayed at you) or fango (where you sit in a mud bath). You can also get, usually for 10-20 CHF extra a month, global coverage, where if you get sick abroad, they'll give you a private room, or fly you home. A good package will even give you assistance if you are bed-ridden.
This isn't the kind of stuff your employer is going to suggest (lol).
But definitely, I'd go the Swiss route - and just negotiate with your employer. It probably wouldn't cost them a lot more than your American policy. Doesn't hurt to ask!
ps: I've lived and worked in 4 Euro-countries now, and Switzerland's private insurance with high regulation is the most functional I've seen.
I'd drop an American policy in a heartbeat and get a Swiss one. You can always go back to the U.S. policy.
I remember paying thousands for emergency room care in deductible and non-covered costs, in my first month of professional work (ouch!). This is a non-issue in Switzerland.
Swiss insurance is expensive, in U.S. terms, but only from the perspective that most companies here don't pay for your insurance (as opposed to U.S. employers, that usually cover most or all of insurance for professional jobs).
What I'd do is negotiate with your employer to pay for most (or all) of your Swiss insurance. Ask them to also cover a portion of the "assurance complementaire", which is a 2nd level of insurance that covers all kinds of wellness medicine like massages, naturopathy and even thalassotherpay (something where you go to a spa and get water sprayed at you) or fango (where you sit in a mud bath). You can also get, usually for 10-20 CHF extra a month, global coverage, where if you get sick abroad, they'll give you a private room, or fly you home. A good package will even give you assistance if you are bed-ridden.
This isn't the kind of stuff your employer is going to suggest (lol).
But definitely, I'd go the Swiss route - and just negotiate with your employer. It probably wouldn't cost them a lot more than your American policy. Doesn't hurt to ask!
ps: I've lived and worked in 4 Euro-countries now, and Switzerland's private insurance with high regulation is the most functional I've seen.
The text you are quoting:
EVERYTHING is covered here. Swiss insurance is VERY regulated (as are the cost doctors can charge, which is why it is so much cheaper in CH than the US), and you really do get a better deal, and the insurance companies more-or-less have to pay, even if you have a longstanding issue, and usually even with pre-existing conditions (they don't have all the same clauses that U.S. insurers do).
I'd drop an American policy in a heartbeat and get a Swiss one. You can always go back to the U.S. policy.
I remember paying thousands for emergency room care in deductible and non-covered costs, in my first month of professional work (ouch!). This is a non-issue in Switzerland.
Swiss insurance is expensive, in U.S. terms, but only from the perspective that most companies here don't pay for your insurance (as opposed to U.S. employers, that usually cover most or all of insurance for professional jobs).
What I'd do is negotiate with your employer to pay for most (or all) of your Swiss insurance. Ask them to also cover a portion of the "assurance complementaire", which is a 2nd level of insurance that covers all kinds of wellness medicine like massages, naturopathy and even thalassotherpay (something where you go to a spa and get water sprayed at you) or fango (where you sit in a mud bath). You can also get, usually for 10-20 CHF extra a month, global coverage, where if you get sick abroad, they'll give you a private room, or fly you home. A good package will even give you assistance if you are bed-ridden.
This isn't the kind of stuff your employer is going to suggest (lol).
But definitely, I'd go the Swiss route - and just negotiate with your employer. It probably wouldn't cost them a lot more than your American policy. Doesn't hurt to ask!
ps: I've lived and worked in 4 Euro-countries now, and Switzerland's private insurance with high regulation is the most functional I've seen.
Jennifer, Mar 31, 2006 @ 04:23
I'd drop an American policy in a heartbeat and get a Swiss one. You can always go back to the U.S. policy.
I remember paying thousands for emergency room care in deductible and non-covered costs, in my first month of professional work (ouch!). This is a non-issue in Switzerland.
Swiss insurance is expensive, in U.S. terms, but only from the perspective that most companies here don't pay for your insurance (as opposed to U.S. employers, that usually cover most or all of insurance for professional jobs).
What I'd do is negotiate with your employer to pay for most (or all) of your Swiss insurance. Ask them to also cover a portion of the "assurance complementaire", which is a 2nd level of insurance that covers all kinds of wellness medicine like massages, naturopathy and even thalassotherpay (something where you go to a spa and get water sprayed at you) or fango (where you sit in a mud bath). You can also get, usually for 10-20 CHF extra a month, global coverage, where if you get sick abroad, they'll give you a private room, or fly you home. A good package will even give you assistance if you are bed-ridden.
This isn't the kind of stuff your employer is going to suggest (lol).
But definitely, I'd go the Swiss route - and just negotiate with your employer. It probably wouldn't cost them a lot more than your American policy. Doesn't hurt to ask!
ps: I've lived and worked in 4 Euro-countries now, and Switzerland's private insurance with high regulation is the most functional I've seen.
Jennifer, Mar 31, 2006 @ 04:23
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Re: The Eyes have it! US vs Swiss medical insurance...??
Post 2
Mar 31, 2006 @ 15:08
Change my Betz, best thing for you
The text you are quoting:
Change my Betz, best thing for you
Iolly, Mar 31, 2006 @ 15:08
Iolly, Mar 31, 2006 @ 15:08
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Re: The Eyes have it! US vs Swiss medical insurance...??
Post 3
Apr 1, 2006 @ 17:49
Someone from GOL wrote me and asked how reimbursement from insurance companies works. I'm going to re-copy what I wrote the GOL'er here!
-------------------------------------------------
(The GOL'er had written me, wondering why she got such a big bill from her doctor, when she had insurance coverage - said she'd never been billed directly in her home country). Here's my reply:
About the payment process: Some doctors send the bill to you - then you (after copying the original copy) take the original copy of the bill, and send it to the insurance company - they all have some place for "remboursement des frais des guerison" (reimbursement for fees paid).
Most doctors expect you to pay them, and then you get reimbursed by the insurance.
A very few of them bill the insurance directly.
If you got a 300+ bill, it sounds like the doctor is billing you directly.
What I'd do, is contact your doctor's office, and ask if they are billing you directly. (Answer will probably be yes).
So pay your doctor.
Then call your insurance, find out where to send that original copy of the bill. When you send it, send with it a cover-letter with your bank information (name of the bank, clearing number, account number and your policy number), and your insurance company will send the cost of coverage to you.
Usually I get 90% or 100% of the amount (depending on what it is) inserted in my bank account.
Its very efficient.
Your company should have given you forms for information about how to send them all this - but if they didn't, a cover-letter with your bank info should be ok.
Jenn
-------------------------------------------------
(The GOL'er had written me, wondering why she got such a big bill from her doctor, when she had insurance coverage - said she'd never been billed directly in her home country). Here's my reply:
About the payment process: Some doctors send the bill to you - then you (after copying the original copy) take the original copy of the bill, and send it to the insurance company - they all have some place for "remboursement des frais des guerison" (reimbursement for fees paid).
Most doctors expect you to pay them, and then you get reimbursed by the insurance.
A very few of them bill the insurance directly.
If you got a 300+ bill, it sounds like the doctor is billing you directly.
What I'd do, is contact your doctor's office, and ask if they are billing you directly. (Answer will probably be yes).
So pay your doctor.
Then call your insurance, find out where to send that original copy of the bill. When you send it, send with it a cover-letter with your bank information (name of the bank, clearing number, account number and your policy number), and your insurance company will send the cost of coverage to you.
Usually I get 90% or 100% of the amount (depending on what it is) inserted in my bank account.
Its very efficient.
Your company should have given you forms for information about how to send them all this - but if they didn't, a cover-letter with your bank info should be ok.
Jenn
The text you are quoting:
Someone from GOL wrote me and asked how reimbursement from insurance companies works. I'm going to re-copy what I wrote the GOL'er here!
-------------------------------------------------
(The GOL'er had written me, wondering why she got such a big bill from her doctor, when she had insurance coverage - said she'd never been billed directly in her home country). Here's my reply:
About the payment process: Some doctors send the bill to you - then you (after copying the original copy) take the original copy of the bill, and send it to the insurance company - they all have some place for "remboursement des frais des guerison" (reimbursement for fees paid).
Most doctors expect you to pay them, and then you get reimbursed by the insurance.
A very few of them bill the insurance directly.
If you got a 300+ bill, it sounds like the doctor is billing you directly.
What I'd do, is contact your doctor's office, and ask if they are billing you directly. (Answer will probably be yes).
So pay your doctor.
Then call your insurance, find out where to send that original copy of the bill. When you send it, send with it a cover-letter with your bank information (name of the bank, clearing number, account number and your policy number), and your insurance company will send the cost of coverage to you.
Usually I get 90% or 100% of the amount (depending on what it is) inserted in my bank account.
Its very efficient.
Your company should have given you forms for information about how to send them all this - but if they didn't, a cover-letter with your bank info should be ok.
Jenn
Jennifer, Apr 1, 2006 @ 17:49
-------------------------------------------------
(The GOL'er had written me, wondering why she got such a big bill from her doctor, when she had insurance coverage - said she'd never been billed directly in her home country). Here's my reply:
About the payment process: Some doctors send the bill to you - then you (after copying the original copy) take the original copy of the bill, and send it to the insurance company - they all have some place for "remboursement des frais des guerison" (reimbursement for fees paid).
Most doctors expect you to pay them, and then you get reimbursed by the insurance.
A very few of them bill the insurance directly.
If you got a 300+ bill, it sounds like the doctor is billing you directly.
What I'd do, is contact your doctor's office, and ask if they are billing you directly. (Answer will probably be yes).
So pay your doctor.
Then call your insurance, find out where to send that original copy of the bill. When you send it, send with it a cover-letter with your bank information (name of the bank, clearing number, account number and your policy number), and your insurance company will send the cost of coverage to you.
Usually I get 90% or 100% of the amount (depending on what it is) inserted in my bank account.
Its very efficient.
Your company should have given you forms for information about how to send them all this - but if they didn't, a cover-letter with your bank info should be ok.
Jenn
Jennifer, Apr 1, 2006 @ 17:49
Your Reply:
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Re: The Eyes have it! US vs Swiss medical insurance...??
Post 4
Apr 3, 2006 @ 00:34
I know that some international expat insurances are accepted by the Swiss authorities, for example the Denmark-based "International Health Insurance" (IHI) offers a Swiss-approved expat insurance package that the Swiss government accepts for expat usage. From what I've seen, the usual regulations incumbant on Swiss insurances don't apply - so you lose-out on the benefits of various forms of legally-mandated insurance benefits, part of Swiss insurance packages. Small things like they don't cover some specialists the same way, and they don't cover AIDS-related illnesses at all. (Not that you plan on getting AIDS, but I guess no one does, and Swiss insurance companies are legally be forced to cover such illnesses).
Betz was sent her by her U.S.-based job, so it's entirely possible that they put forth that her U.S. insurance will cover her here, for her time of employment, and that that was ok with the Swiss authorities. (The great thing is that there is almost no restriction to "getting out" of a U.S. policy (U.S. insurance being principally non-regulated), whereas in Switzerland, you've got to "uninscribe" at one of the biannual "disinscription" periods).
I know that the United Nations main administration (UNOG) offers U.S. insurer Aetna, to all employees, in which UN fonctionnaires can either participate, or opt-out of. When I worked there, I just showed my Swiss insurance card, and that was fine with the UN, and fine with the Swiss. Most UN fonctionnaires had Aetna.
In short, everything is negotiable. :)
Betz was sent her by her U.S.-based job, so it's entirely possible that they put forth that her U.S. insurance will cover her here, for her time of employment, and that that was ok with the Swiss authorities. (The great thing is that there is almost no restriction to "getting out" of a U.S. policy (U.S. insurance being principally non-regulated), whereas in Switzerland, you've got to "uninscribe" at one of the biannual "disinscription" periods).
I know that the United Nations main administration (UNOG) offers U.S. insurer Aetna, to all employees, in which UN fonctionnaires can either participate, or opt-out of. When I worked there, I just showed my Swiss insurance card, and that was fine with the UN, and fine with the Swiss. Most UN fonctionnaires had Aetna.
In short, everything is negotiable. :)
The text you are quoting:
I know that some international expat insurances are accepted by the Swiss authorities, for example the Denmark-based "International Health Insurance" (IHI) offers a Swiss-approved expat insurance package that the Swiss government accepts for expat usage. From what I've seen, the usual regulations incumbant on Swiss insurances don't apply - so you lose-out on the benefits of various forms of legally-mandated insurance benefits, part of Swiss insurance packages. Small things like they don't cover some specialists the same way, and they don't cover AIDS-related illnesses at all. (Not that you plan on getting AIDS, but I guess no one does, and Swiss insurance companies are legally be forced to cover such illnesses).
Betz was sent her by her U.S.-based job, so it's entirely possible that they put forth that her U.S. insurance will cover her here, for her time of employment, and that that was ok with the Swiss authorities. (The great thing is that there is almost no restriction to "getting out" of a U.S. policy (U.S. insurance being principally non-regulated), whereas in Switzerland, you've got to "uninscribe" at one of the biannual "disinscription" periods).
I know that the United Nations main administration (UNOG) offers U.S. insurer Aetna, to all employees, in which UN fonctionnaires can either participate, or opt-out of. When I worked there, I just showed my Swiss insurance card, and that was fine with the UN, and fine with the Swiss. Most UN fonctionnaires had Aetna.
In short, everything is negotiable. :)
Jennifer, Apr 3, 2006 @ 00:34
Betz was sent her by her U.S.-based job, so it's entirely possible that they put forth that her U.S. insurance will cover her here, for her time of employment, and that that was ok with the Swiss authorities. (The great thing is that there is almost no restriction to "getting out" of a U.S. policy (U.S. insurance being principally non-regulated), whereas in Switzerland, you've got to "uninscribe" at one of the biannual "disinscription" periods).
I know that the United Nations main administration (UNOG) offers U.S. insurer Aetna, to all employees, in which UN fonctionnaires can either participate, or opt-out of. When I worked there, I just showed my Swiss insurance card, and that was fine with the UN, and fine with the Swiss. Most UN fonctionnaires had Aetna.
In short, everything is negotiable. :)
Jennifer, Apr 3, 2006 @ 00:34
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