Telmed

Telmed: Save Premiums with the Telemedicine Insurance Model

For insured individuals in Switzerland's basic health insurance looking to save on premiums, various alternative models are available. The Telmed model, for example, requires those affected to first contact a medical advice hotline before visiting a doctor or hospital. This service assesses the concern and provides recommendations for further action if necessary, enabling premium savings of up to 20 percent compared to the standard tariff.

How the Telmed Model Works

When enrolling in a telemedicine model, you commit to calling the designated advice center before medical visits, which is done at no additional cost. The advice center will give recommendations based on your description.

Under names like Callmed, TelCare, TelDoc, or Primatel, models and their conditions vary by provider. Three variants are available:

Variant 1: The advice center gives a recommendation, but you are not bound by it. After the call, you can still visit a doctor of your choice. This model is followed, for example, by the MedCall tariff from Visana.
Variant 2: You contact the telephone initial advice center and get a treatment plan. You are bound by the advice center's instruction, but there is free choice of doctor. If the medic believes the doctor visit was unnecessary, you will not be reimbursed for the costs. This applies, for example, to the TelDoc model from Visana and the Callmed tariffs from various insurers.
Variant 3: You are bound by the instructions of the initial advice center, and your choice of doctor is limited, for example, to your general practitioner or a group practice. This model includes the Primatel (general practitioner) tariffs from various health insurers.

It is crucial to carefully review the contract conditions of the telemedicine model you choose. Failure to follow your insurance's guidelines could lead to a refusal of cost coverage.

Behavior in Emergencies

In urgent emergencies, it is permitted to directly visit the emergency doctor or the nearest hospital, but a necessary consultation should be conducted as soon as possible afterward.

Your Benefits with the Telmed Model

The telemedicine model offers attractive discounts on basic insurance premiums, with savings of up to 20 percent depending on the provider.

Besides the savings, the telemedicine model provides the advantage of always available initial consultation, which often allows for faster assistance without long waiting times. In some cases, this can avoid a doctor's visit.

Who Benefits from the Telmed Model of Basic Insurance?

This model is particularly suitable for individuals who rarely fall ill or only have minor health issues. For more extensive medical needs, the standard model might be more appropriate.