Receiving a medical bill and not knowing what you'll actually pay: the experience is almost universal in Switzerland. Here is how cost-sharing works, with the amounts in force in 2026.
Content validated by Dr Cécile Besson Duvanel, Medical Director
The deductible is the amount you pay each year before your compulsory basic health insurance (LAMal) starts to reimburse. You choose it yourself: from CHF 300 to CHF 2,500 per year for an adult. For children, the ordinary deductible is CHF 0. Low deductible: a higher monthly premium but little to pay if you need care. High deductible: a lower premium, but more for you to pay if you see a doctor.
Once you have reached your deductible, you still contribute 10% of the costs: this is the retention fee. It is capped: at most CHF 700 per year for an adult and CHF 350 for a child. In other words, your total annual contribution is limited: your chosen deductible + CHF 700 at most for an adult.
With a deductible of CHF 300, a year with CHF 1,300 of care costs you: CHF 300 in deductible, then 10% of the remaining CHF 1,000, i.e. CHF 100 in retention fee. Total for you to pay: CHF 400, the rest is reimbursed.
A consultation at walk-in emergency care is covered by LAMal in the same way as a medical consultation, under the same deductible and retention fee mechanism. For any question about your situation, our billing team will be happy to help: see also our insurance and billing page.
A question about how your consultation is covered? Call us on 021 964 30 00.
This information is general and does not replace a medical consultation. In a life-threatening emergency, call 144. Medical disclaimer
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