Glossary
Key terms from Swiss healthcare — explained plainly. Click any linked term to read the full article.
A
- Analysenliste (AL)
- The official federal list of laboratory analyses covered by KVG, with fixed prices for each test. When a doctor orders blood work, the lab bills using AL codes.
- Anordnungsmodell
- The 2022 reform model allowing direct access to psychotherapy under KVG with a doctor's prescription, without psychiatrist involvement.Learn more→
- Arztzeugnis
- Medical sick note issued by a doctor certifying that you are unable to work. Required by most Swiss employers for absences longer than two or three consecutive days. Most practices charge an administrative fee (CHF 20–40) for issuing one, billed as a separate Tarmed position.
- Austrittsbericht
- Hospital discharge letter sent to your GP when you leave hospital. Summarises diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up recommendations.
B
- BAG (Bundesamt für Gesundheit)(BAG / OFSP / UFSP)
- Federal Office of Public Health. The Swiss federal authority responsible for healthcare policy, KVG regulation, and the official approved lists (Analysenliste, Spezialitätenliste).
- Betreibung
- Debt enforcement proceedings. The formal legal process in Switzerland when you fail to pay bills, including health insurance premiums. The Betreibungsamt (debt enforcement office) sends a formal Zahlungsbefehl (payment order). Can lead to wage garnishment.Financial hardship→
- BU / NBU
- BU (Berufsunfall) = occupational accident; NBU (Nichtberufsunfall) = non-occupational accident. Employed people are covered for BU by their employer's accident insurer. NBU coverage kicks in for people working ≥8 hours per week with the same employer.Accidents Insurance→
C
- Chiropraktor / Dr. med. chiro.
- Licensed chiropractor in Switzerland. Holds a federal doctorate and is recognised as an independent healthcare provider under KVG — no GP referral needed.Chiropractic Care→
D
- DRG / SwissDRG
- Diagnosis Related Groups. The flat-rate billing system used for hospital inpatient (stationary) stays. The payment is determined by the diagnosis and case complexity, not by itemised services.Ambulant vs Stationary→
- DSG (Datenschutzgesetz)(DSG / LPD / LPD)
- Swiss Federal Act on Data Protection (revised version in force from September 2023). Governs how organisations handle personal data, with health data classified as particularly sensitive.Swiss Data Protection Law→
E
- Elektronisches Patientendossier(EPD)
- Electronic patient record system allowing secure sharing of medical documents between healthcare providers. Voluntary for patients.Learn more→
- Ergänzungsleistungen(EL)
- Supplementary benefits for AHV/IV recipients whose pension and assets don't cover basic living costs, including health expenses.Learn more→
F
- Franchise
- Annual deductible. The amount you pay out-of-pocket before your KVG insurer contributes. Ranges from CHF 300 (minimum) to CHF 2,500 (maximum) for adults. Resets on 1 January each year.Franchise explained→
- FMH (Foederatio Medicorum Helveticorum)
- The Swiss Medical Association. Represents licensed physicians and regulates specialist titles (e.g. FMH Innere Medizin, FMH Chirurgie). An FMH title indicates recognised specialist qualification.
G
- Generika
- Generic medication. An equivalent drug with the same active ingredient, dosage, and effect as the original brand-name product, but typically 20-60% cheaper. Swiss pharmacists may substitute generics unless the doctor explicitly prescribes the brand.Prescriptions→
- Grenzgänger
- Cross-border worker living in an EU/EFTA country and working in Switzerland. Has the right to choose between Swiss and home-country health insurance.Learn more→
H
- Hausarzt
- General practitioner / family doctor (literally 'house doctor'). The primary point of contact for most health issues. In gated insurance models, the Hausarzt is the designated GP who must be consulted before seeing specialists.GP Clinics→
- Hausbesuch
- Doctor home visit. A GP or on-call doctor comes to your home instead of you visiting the clinic. Covered by KVG but with a higher Tarmed surcharge than a standard consultation. Typically used for immobile patients or acute illness.Home visits→
- HMO (Health Maintenance Organisation)
- An insurance model where you join a group practice (HMO centre). All care is coordinated within the network. Significant premium discount in exchange for restricted provider choice.Insurance Models→
I
- ICD-10
- International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision. The coding system used to document diagnoses on medical invoices and records in Switzerland.
- Impfplan
- National immunization schedule. Published by the FOPH (BAG), it defines recommended vaccinations for children and adults in Switzerland. Most vaccines on the schedule are covered by KVG without franchise or Selbstbehalt.Vaccinations→
K
- KVG (Krankenversicherungsgesetz)(KVG / LAMal / LaMal)
- Federal Health Insurance Act. The law mandating universal health insurance in Switzerland and defining what basic insurance must cover. Every Swiss resident must have a KVG-compliant policy.Health Insurance→
- Konsiliarbrief
- Specialist consultation report. The letter a specialist sends back to the referring GP after a consultation, summarising findings and recommendations.
- Kostengutsprache
- Prior authorisation / cost guarantee. Written approval from your insurer required before certain expensive treatments or medications begin. Submitted by your provider, not by you.Clinic & Insurer Communication→
- Kostendämpfung
- Cost containment. Federal policy measures aimed at slowing the growth of healthcare costs in Switzerland. Includes reference pricing for generics, efficiency incentives, and the ongoing Tardoc reform.
- Krankenkassenkarte
- Insurance card (literally 'health insurance card'). Contains your insurance number and insurer identifier. Presented at every medical appointment. Required for electronic billing.
M
- Medgate
- One of Switzerland's largest telemedicine providers. Offers 24/7 medical consultations by phone, video, or chat in multiple languages. Available as a standalone service or integrated into certain insurance models.
- Medizinischer Masseur EFZ
- Federally certified medical masseur. The only massage qualification recognised for KVG billing. Different from wellness or sports massage certifications.Medical Massage→
- MiGeL (Mittel- und Gegenständeliste)
- The official federal list of medical devices and aids covered by KVG. Includes wheelchairs, hearing aids, CPAP machines, compression stockings, blood glucose monitors, and more. Each item has a maximum reimbursement amount.Medical devices→
N
- Notaufnahme
- Hospital emergency department. Operates 24/7 with triage-based prioritisation. For genuine emergencies only — not for acute but stable conditions (use a walk-in clinic for those).Hospital Emergency→
- Notfallapotheke
- On-duty emergency pharmacy open outside normal business hours. Each canton organizes a rotation schedule.Learn more→
O
- Ombudsman der Krankenversicherung
- Free mediation service for disputes between insured persons and their health insurer.Learn more→
- Optionsrecht
- The right of cross-border workers to choose between Swiss KVG and home-country insurance within 3 months of starting work.Learn more→
P
- Palliative Care
- End-of-life and comfort care for patients with serious illness. Covered by KVG when medically indicated. Includes pain management, Spitex home nursing, hospice stays, and interdisciplinary support. Switzerland has a national palliative care strategy.Palliative care→
- Patientenverfügung
- Advance directive (living will). A legally binding document in which you specify your medical treatment wishes in case you can no longer communicate. Recommended for all adults. Can be registered with your GP, hospital, or cantonal registry.
- Prämienverbilligung(IPV)
- Income-based cantonal subsidy that reduces KVG premiums for low- and middle-income residents.Learn more→
R
- REGA (Rettungsflugwacht)
- Swiss Air Rescue. Operates helicopter rescue across Switzerland. Annual membership (~CHF 30/person) covers the patient contribution for helicopter rescue transport.
S
- Selbstbehalt
- Co-insurance. After your annual franchise is met, you pay 10% of further costs, capped at CHF 700 per year for adults. Hospital stays also incur CHF 15 per day (Spitalbeitrag), uncapped.Selbstbehalt explained→
- Spitalbeitrag
- Daily hospital contribution of CHF 15 per inpatient day, paid by adult patients. Separate from and additional to the 10% Selbstbehalt. Applies only to stationary (inpatient) stays.
- Spitalliste
- Official hospital list. Each canton maintains a list of hospitals approved for KVG-covered inpatient treatment. Treatment in a hospital not on the relevant Spitalliste may not be covered.
- Spitex
- Home care nursing services (Spitalpflege extern). KVG covers medically prescribed home nursing, wound care, and medication administration.Learn more→
- Sozialhilfe
- Social assistance (welfare). Cantonal financial support for residents who cannot cover basic living costs, including health insurance premiums. Administered by the Sozialdienst (social services). Requires proof of financial need.Financial hardship→
- Spezialitätenliste(SL)
- Official federal list of medications covered by KVG. Drugs not on this list are not reimbursed.Learn more→
T
- Taggeld
- Daily allowance insurance covering income loss during illness. Not mandatory but critical for self-employed.Learn more→
- Tarmed
- Tarif médical. The point-based billing system for outpatient medical services, in use since 2004. Being phased out and replaced by Tardoc.Billing Positions→
- Tardoc
- The updated outpatient billing standard replacing Tarmed. More accurately reflects the time and complexity of modern medical services. Being phased in progressively since 2025.What is Tardoc?→
- Telmed
- Insurance model requiring you to call a medical hotline before visiting any provider (other than exempted specialists). Significant premium discount in exchange for mandatory first-contact via telephone triage.Insurance Models→
- Telemedizin
- Telemedicine. Remote medical consultations via phone, video, or app. In Switzerland, used both as an insurance model (Telmed — requiring first contact via telehealth) and as a general service (Medgate, eedoctors, Medi24). Covered by KVG.Telehealth→
- TG (Therapie- und Gerätetarif)
- The billing system for paramedical therapy services (physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical massage). Equivalent to Tarmed but for allied health professions.TG Bills→
- Tiers garant
- Billing model where the clinic sends the invoice to the patient, who pays it and then submits it to the insurer for reimbursement. Standard for most outpatient GP and specialist care.Clinic & Insurer Communication→
- Tiers payant
- Billing model where the clinic sends the invoice directly to the insurer. Used by hospitals and pharmacies. The patient only receives a statement showing their franchise/Selbstbehalt portion.Clinic & Insurer Communication→
V
- VVG (Versicherungsvertragsgesetz)
- Insurance Contract Act. The law governing supplementary (non-KVG) insurance — dental, hospital upgrades, optical, and other add-ons. Unlike KVG, VVG insurers can reject applicants or apply exclusions for pre-existing conditions.Additional Insurance→
Z
- ZSR-Nummer
- Provider identification number assigned to every licensed healthcare provider in Switzerland. Appears on invoices to identify the billing practice or hospital.
Ä
- Ärztefon
- Cantonal medical advice telephone hotline, available evenings and weekends. Provides triage guidance on whether to see a doctor urgently.Learn more→