Enrolling the newborn: mandatory insurance from birth
In Switzerland, every child must be affiliated with the compulsory health insurance (KVG/LAMal) from birth. Parents have a deadline to register the child with a fund, but coverage takes effect retroactively to the date of birth, so that no period is left uninsured. It is therefore wise to start the formalities before the delivery rather than postponing them.
Because basic insurance offers identical benefits regardless of the insurer, the newborn enjoys the same legal coverage everywhere. Funds may not refuse a child in basic insurance or apply reservations linked to the child's health. This admission-duty principle gives parents full freedom of choice to place the child with the most advantageous fund.
Admission duty and free choice of fund for the child
For basic insurance, the admission duty guarantees that any recognised fund must accept the newborn, with no health questionnaire and no waiting period. The child does not have to join the parents' fund: the child may be registered with a different insurer if it offers more attractive conditions or a better-suited model.
The admission duty, however, applies only to basic insurance. For any supplementary coverage (VVG/LCA), the insurer may require a medical assessment and impose reservations, even for an infant. Many parents take out basic insurance with peace of mind at birth and review separately, without rushing, whether a supplementary plan is genuinely useful for the child.
Choosing the child's deductible
Children benefit from a deductible regime that is separate from that of adults. The ordinary deductible for a child is zero, and optional tiers exist up to a ceiling lower than the adult one. As for all insured persons, a 10 percent cost share then applies, with a reduced annual cap for children.
The choice depends on the expected use of care. An infant generally means numerous check-ups, vaccinations and consultations in the first year: a low deductible then limits out-of-pocket costs. Conversely, a higher deductible only makes sense if little use of care is anticipated. The child's deductible can be adjusted each year as needs evolve.
Family discounts on premiums
Most cantons and insurers provide rebates when several children from the same family are insured, and cantonal premium reductions exist for families depending on income. These advantages vary greatly from one insurer and canton to another, which makes a comparison worthwhile when enrolling the newborn.
Using the switching window for the other members
A child's birth does not, in itself, open a right of termination for the parents. It often falls, however, at a favourable time to reassess the whole picture: the ordinary switching window for basic insurance runs every autumn. The termination must reach the current fund by 30 November, taking effect on 1 January of the following year.
Grouping all family members with the same insurer is not mandatory and not always optimal. The value lies rather in using this overall review to check, contract by contract, the insurance model, the deductible and the premium. Each member keeps their own choice; the goal is to align decisions on the same annual deadline.
Extraordinary termination and alternative models
When an insurer announces a premium increase for the following year, every insured person has an extraordinary right to terminate basic insurance, to be exercised within one month of the notification. This right applies individually to each family member affected by the increase, regardless of the others' situation.
To optimise the family budget without reducing legal coverage, alternative models (family doctor, telemedicine, care network) offer lower premiums than the standard model. They can be chosen for the parents as well as for the child. The level of benefits remains identical in basic insurance; only the organisation of access to care changes, which is worth weighing against the family's habits.
Frequently asked questions
Must I enrol my newborn with the same fund as mine?
No. Thanks to the admission duty in basic insurance, you may register your child with any recognised fund, even one different from yours. No fund can refuse the child or impose reservations on basic insurance. Comparing conditions before enrolment often lets you place the child in the most advantageous contract for the family.
Which deductible should I choose for an infant?
For a child, the ordinary deductible is zero, and optional tiers exist up to a reduced ceiling. The first year often involves numerous check-ups and vaccinations, which generally makes a low deductible preferable. You can adjust it each year according to the evolution of the child's health needs.
Does the birth let me change funds outside the deadline?
No, birth does not open a specific right of termination for the parents. To change basic insurance, observe the ordinary deadline: termination by 30 November, effective 1 January. An extraordinary right exists only when a premium increase is announced, to be exercised within one month of the notification.