Swiss Flex Hospital Insurance Compared

The flexible hospital ward model, or «flex model», is a form of inpatient hospital insurance, like general, semi-private and private ward insurance. A flex insurance policy lets you choose your hospital accommodation just ahead of your hospital stay.

If you choose to stay in the general ward, your flex insurance will typically cover all hospital charges. But if you decide to stay in a semi-private or private room, you will have to pay part of the costs out-of-pocket. Typically you will either have a high annual deductible or pay a percentage of total costs (coinsurance), up to an annual out-of-pocket ceiling.

Differences in premiums charged by various insurance providers are notable. A 30-year-old may pay as little as 10 francs and as much as 80 francs (more in some cases) every month for flex insurance coverage. A 55-year-old might pay between 15 and 100 francs monthly.

But differences between insurance policies aren’t limited to premiums. Out-of-pocket limits also vary in a big way between insurers (see comparison below). The rule of thumb is: The higher the out-of-pocket limits, the lower the premiums.

When choosing a flex insurance, its very important to look at out-of-pocket limits as well as premiums. Some insurers offer several different out-of-pocket models. You can get a clear overview of premiums in the moneyland.ch interactive hospital insurance comparison.

A flex insurance can pay off if in certain situations (for example after a major operation), you prefer a more comfortable room or want the freedom to choose between hospitals and doctors, but aren’t prepared to pay high premiums year after year.

Benefits of flex insurance:

• You get the freedom to choose your hospital accommodations on a case-by-case basis. If at any time you prefer to stay in a private or semi-private ward, you have those options.
• Flex insurance premiums are significantly lower than those you pay for semi-private or private ward coverage.

Downsides of flex insurance:

• Premiums are higher than what you pay for general ward hospital insurance.
• You have to pay part of the cost when you opt for semi-private or private accommodation (out-of-pocket payments).
• You don’t always get the same hospital and doctor selection benefits that you get with semi-private or private insurance. Make sure to check into these benefits before settling on a policy.

Here, we list the out-of-pocket options for flex insurance policies from major health insurance providers:

Concordia Libero
Semi-private: Coinsurance payments are at least 20% of total costs, up to an out-of-pocket maximum of 2000 francs per calendar year.
Private: Coinsurance payments are at least 35% of total costs, up to an out-of-pocket maximum of 4000 francs per calendar year.

Groupe Mutuel Global Flex
Semi-private: Deductible is at least 400 francs per day, up to an out-of-pocket limit of 4000 francs per year.
Private: Deductible is at least 600 francs per day, up to an out-of-pocket limit of 5000 francs per year.

Groupe Mutuel H-Bonus
Semi-private: Deductible is at least 100 francs per day, up to a maximum of 30 days per calendar year.
Private: Deductible is at least 200 francs per day, up to a maximum of 20 days per calendar year.

Helsana Hospital Flex 1
Semi-private: Coinsurance payments are at least 35% of total hospital charges, up to an out-of-pocket limit of 3000 francs per year.
Private: Coinsurance payments are at least 50% of total hospital charges, up to an out-of-pocket limit of 5000 francs per year.

Helsana Hospital Flex 2
Semi-private: Coinsurance payments of at least 20%, up to an out-of-pocket limit of 2000 francs per year.
Private: Coinsurance payments of at least 35%, up to an out-of-pocket limit of 4000 francs per year.

Innova Switch (activa and sanvita models)
General: Deductible of 10 francs per day, up to a maximum of 30 days per calendar year.
Semi-private: Deductible of 75 francs per day, up to a maximum of 30 days per calendar year.
Private: Deductible of 200 francs per day, up to a maximum of 30 days per calendar year.

ÖKK Hospital Flex
Semi-private: Coinsurance payments of 15%, up to 1500 francs out-of-pocket per calendar year.
Private: Coinsurance payments of 25%, up to 4000 francs out-of-pocket per calendar year.

Visana Spital Flex Plus (also applies to Sana 24, Vivacare)
Semi-private: Deductible of 2000 francs per calendar year.
Private: Deductible of 4000 francs per calendar year.

Sanitas Hospital Standard Liberty
Semi-private: Coinsurance payments of 75%, up to 10,000 francs out-of-pocket per calendar year.
Private: Coinsurance payments of 50%, up to 20,000 francs out-of-pocket per calendar year.

Sympany hospita flex (general or semi-private ward only)
Semi-private: Coinsurance payments of 75%, up to 3000 francs per calendar year.

Sympany hospita flex (general or private ward only)

Private: Coinsurance payments of 80%, up to 3000 francs per calendar year.

Sympany hospita flex semi-private or private ward

Semi-private: Coinsurance payments of 85%, up to 1500 francs out-of-pocket per calendar year.
Private: Coinsurance payments of 75%, up to 4500 francs out-of-pocket per calendar year.

More information:
Hospital insurance comparison tool