In 2016, residents of 11 Swiss cantons will be required to pay a markup on their health insurance premiums. For most residents of the cantons in question, this markup will add 48 francs per year to their premiums.
According to recently released statistics, health insurance premiums collected from the Swiss population between 1996 and 2013 were either too high or far too low, depending on the canton.
The Federal Office of Public Health FOPH wants to correct this mistake through a premium redistribution scheme which will run through 2017. Policyholders in the eleven cantons which collected too little in the way of premiums in the past must now pay a moderate markup on their health insurance premiums.
These added costs are in addition to possible premium hikes on the part of health insurance providers, and also apply to policyholders who are eligible for premium reductions.
Residents of the following cantons will pay a markup in addition to their standard health insurance premiums: Appenzell-Ausserrhoden, Basel-Land, Bern, Glarus, Jura, Uri, Nidwalden, Obwalden, Schaffhausen, Solothurn. Those residing in one of these cantons will pay an additional 48 francs towards health insurance in 2016. In the canton of Lucerne, an 18-franc markup will be added.
These cantonal premium markups are not to be confused with the additional, one-time premium markups which may apply to certain health insurance companies.
All other cantons will benefit from a moderate decrease in premiums in 2016. Exact details about the size of these markdowns will be released at the beginning of 2016.
Altogether, premium redistributions of around 100 million francs will occur over the next year, according to the FOPH.
More on this topic:
Swiss health insurance comparison
How to save on health insurance premiums
Supplementary health insurance comparison
Health insurance premium reductions in Switzerland
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