Alternative Medicine - Complementary medicine

Alternative Medicine: Which Treatments Are Covered by Health Insurance?

The terms "alternative medicine" and "complementary medicine" encompass therapeutic methods that lie outside of conventional medicine. These include natural remedies or Traditional Chinese Medicine. Some services in this area are covered by basic insurance, provided they are performed by a therapist recognized by the health insurance.

Which Complementary Medicine Measures Are Paid for by Basic Insurance?

Complementary medical approaches are often used in combination with conventional medical treatments. Many policyholders prefer alternative therapy approaches and medications, as they are considered less aggressive compared to traditional medical treatments. Since 2017, the compulsory health insurance in Switzerland includes five alternative therapy forms, namely:

• Homeopathy: This approach operates on the principle of "like cures like." Patients receive a starting solution containing highly diluted active ingredients. This potentization process is supposed to increase the effect of the remedy.
• Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM): This ancient medical tradition from China utilizes therapies such as acupuncture, massages, movement therapy, and specific dietary guidelines.
• Anthroposophic Medicine: This method views the person holistically, not just their illness. Close contact between doctor and patient is central.
• Neural Therapy: Local anesthetics are supposed to influence the autonomic nervous system and thus alleviate discomfort at the affected body part.
• Phytotherapy: Here, only plants and their ingredients are used as remedies. Unlike the homeopathic method, the active ingredient is not highly diluted.

Conditions for Cost Coverage

Health insurances cover the expenses for alternative medical therapies, provided they are carried out by qualified physicians who can demonstrate additional training in the applied therapy. Naturopaths are not among the providers recognized by health insurances.

Basic insurance covers part of the costs for medicines from the complementary medicine area, minus a deductible. Reimbursed are medicines listed on the Specialties List of the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH). This includes homeopathic remedies, various natural medicines, and anthroposophic medications.

Is a supplementary insurance for alternative medicine worthwhile?

Despite expanded coverage for alternative medicine within basic health insurance, a supplementary policy can still be beneficial. It gives you access to complementary treatments not covered by the basic plan, including sessions with alternative health practitioners.

If alternative medicine is important to you and you're looking for suitable coverage, we're here to help. Compare the various offers from Visana.