Good To Know

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Stumbling blocks: Cancelling or rejecting supplementary insurance 

  • Important: To be on the safe side, do not cancel your "old" supplementary insurance until the contract with the "new" one is signed and sealed! The health insurers are not obliged to conclude a supplementary insurance contract with you: they can reject new contracts. And this is what insurers do, for example, if they consider you to be (too) big a risk. For example, applications from people who are over 50 or who have been through certain illnesses are often not accepted.
  • Pay attention to deadlines! As a rule, supplementary insurance contracts run for one year with a notice period of three months. In this case, the notice of cancellation must reach the insurance company no later than the last working day in September.
  • However, there are also insurance policies with a term of several years and longer notice periods. If you do not cancel your supplementary insurance there in good time, the contract will be extended by the specified period. So find out about the applicable cancellation period early on.
  • When taking out insurance, make sure that it can be cancelled after one year.
  • If the premium for the supplementary insurance increases, you are entitled to cancel the insurance within a certain period of time. Please note: increases in premiums provided for in the contract do not lead to the possibility of termination.

What is a pre-existing condition?

An illness or injury you have before you sign up for a new health insurance plan may be considered a "pre-existing condition." Conditions such as diabetes, COPD, cancer and sleep apnea can be examples of pre-existing conditions. They are usually chronic or long-term.

How are pre-existing conditions identified?
A pre-existing condition is usually a condition for which you have received treatment or diagnosis before signing up for a new health insurance plan. In Switzerland, a health insurance company will review your application for coverage and, if it determines that you have a pre-existing condition, could deny you coverage under the "Supplemental Insurance" section or only for the specific condition of the illness.

What are some examples of pre-existing conditions?
Chronic diseases and health conditions, including many forms of cancer, diabetes, lupus, epilepsy, and depression, may be considered pre-existing conditions. Pregnancy prior to enrollment is also considered a pre-existing condition and chronic health condition, although less severe conditions such as acne, asthma, anxiety and sleep apnea may also qualify.

Can I be denied health insurance if I have a pre-existing condition? 
Since basic health insurance is mandatory for everyone living in Switzerland, you cannot be denied basic health insurance because of an illness or other medical condition. However, the situation is different with supplementary insurance: Only after a detailed health declaration is a decision made on acceptance or rejection. In some cases, insurance coverage is also offered with reservations, which exclude the treatment of pre-existing conditions.

Reasons for refusal of supplementary insurance
In addition to your current health condition, your past health condition is also a determining factor for acceptance. Each insurer sets its own criteria for determining the risks. Thus, you may have been rejected by one supplementary insurance company while being accepted by another.

After rejection by the insurer: can I still get supplementary insurance?
The following tips can help you get supplemental insurance coverage after all following a rejection:

Proceed carefully when applying for coverage.
Whether you are submitting your first application or your fifth: Despite the possibility of rejection, you should answer the questions about your health thoroughly and truthfully. If you fail to do so, the insurer may subsequently deny future coverage.
Make inquiries with different insurers
If you have already been rejected by a supplementary insurance, this does not necessarily mean that other insurers will also reject you. It is usually worthwhile to make several inquiries, as insurers sometimes assess the risk of individual illnesses very differently.
Support from the doctor can help
If you are already completely cured of previous ailments and no further treatment is expected, you can have your doctor confirm this. A medical opinion can influence the risk assessment of the supplementary insurance in your favor.
Attention: No cancellation without a binding commitment
If you already have supplementary insurance and would like to change it, the first rule is: Do not cancel without a binding and complete commitment from the new insurer! In the worst case, you will lose your current insurance coverage and will not be accepted by any new company.

Conclusion & Recommendation
Being rejected by a supplemental insurance company is annoying, yet it doesn't mean you can't get comparable coverage. Instead, it pays to make inquiries with several insurers, as risks are classified differently by each provider.

Do you need help purchasing your desired supplemental insurance? Our trained advisors will assist you with the application process and ensure that you are covered in the best possible way - contact the team.