Your new premium has arrived. In the canton of Vaud, the average increase in 2027 is 3.5%, or around CHF 15 more per month (State of Vaud). Across Switzerland, the average premium reaches CHF 412 per month, up 5% (La Télé). Before paying without looking, one question deserves five minutes: is your deductible the right one?
What is the deductible?
It is the amount you pay yourself each year before your LAMal (compulsory basic health insurance) starts reimbursing you. For an adult, it ranges from CHF 300 to CHF 2,500. Beyond that, you still pay 10% of the costs, the co-payment, up to CHF 700 a year (Federal Office of Public Health, FOPH).
The simple rule
The higher the deductible, the lower the premium. In most cases, two choices come out ahead:
- CHF 2,500 if you are rarely ill: you save on the premium all year round.
- CHF 300 if you have regular costs (long-term treatment, ongoing medical follow-up): you are reimbursed sooner.
The deductibles in between are rarely the most advantageous. Do the maths with your costs from the last two years.
Watch your cash flow
With a CHF 2,500 deductible, keep that sum set aside. A high deductible with no reserve can cost you dearly at the wrong moment.
The model matters too
Family doctor, telemedicine or care network (HMO): these models lower the premium if you accept a set first point of contact.
The dates to remember
To switch health insurer or lower your deductible, your letter must arrive by 30 November at the latest. To raise your deductible with the same health insurer, the deadline usually runs until the end of the year: check with your health insurer.
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