BASIS
The standard model of compulsory health insurance offers you unrestricted access to the doctors of your choice. You get to decide each time who you would like to have treat you.
How the BASIS model works
With the standard model, you enjoy a free choice of doctor and direct access to specialists at all times.
Illness or accident 
Treatment by doctor or specialist
Your exclusive benefits with Helsana
- Everything to hand at all times with the myHelsana app
- Quick and easy reimbursement
- Round-the-clock medical advice with Medi24
- Collect points with Helsana+ and receive up to CHF 75 per year
Insured benefits
The benefits are the same for all basic insurance models. With the BASIS model, we will reimburse you the following benefits after deduction of the statutory co-payment (deductible/excess/hospital cost contribution).
You receive the costs of medically prescribed medication on the specialities list.
If several pharmaceuticals are listed with the same combination of active ingredients, the excess can amount to 40%.
Downloads
Frequently asked questions
Under the Swiss Health Insurance Act (KVG), health insurance is compulsory for anyone living in Switzerland. It provides basic medical care in the event of illness, accidents and maternity.
The scope of benefits it covers is regulated by law. This means you receive exactly the same benefits from every health insurer in Switzerland.
With the BASIS model, you keep all your options open:
- You are always free to choose your doctor and can go to them directly.
- You can go directly to a specialist of your choice, if needed.
And if you are unsure about whether you should consult a medical professional or not, the free Medi24 medical advice hotline is there to help. The team offers help with medical questions by telephone around the clock.
You can take out this insurance if you meet the following conditions:
- You have your official place of residence in Switzerland
or
- You are resident in an EU/EFTA country but are subject to Swiss health insurance legislation under a bilateral agreement, e.g. as a cross-border commuter.
Every Swiss health insurer is obliged to accept applicants, irrespective of age and personal state of health, without reservations.
You can terminate the insurance on 31 December of each year and switch to another health insurance company in Switzerland, provided that you have no outstanding premium invoices. There is a one-month notice period. Notice of termination must reach us by no later than the last working day in November.
If you have taken out a BASIS policy with the statutory minimum deductible of CHF 300 (and without a deductible for children), you have the additional option of terminating it on 30 June, provided that you have no overdue premiums. The notice period for termination is three months. Notice of termination must reach us by no later than the last working day in March.
Adults aged 18 and over can either select the statutory minimum deductible of CHF 300 or one of five optional deductibles between CHF 500 and CHF 2,500. The higher your deductible, the lower your basic insurance premium.
There is no deductible for children. However, by choosing the optional deductible of CHF 500 for them, you can save on their premium too.
Details about annual deductible
Still not sure which deductible would be best for you? We would be happy to help. Call us on 0844 80 81 82.
Different rules for cross-border commuters
For cross-border commuters from EU/EFTA countries, the statutory annual deductible for adults is also CHF 300 a year and there is no annual deductible for children up to the age of 18. However, cross-border commuters cannot be offered optional deductibles, i.e. they cannot opt for a higher deductible in return for a reduction in premium.
You can increase or decrease your deductible on 1 January of the following calendar year. The following deadlines apply:
- When reducing the franchise: 30 November
- When increasing the franchise: 31 December
Please note that notification of change must reach us by no later than the last working day before the respective date.
Different rules for cross-border commuters
Cross-border commuters from EU/EFTA countries cannot be offered optional deductibles, i.e. they cannot opt for a higher deductible in return for a reduction in premium.
Those whose income and assets justify financial support are entitled to a premium reduction (PR). The premium reduction differs from canton to canton. It is therefore worth asking the competent office in your canton of residence whether you are entitled to financial support for your health insurance.
There are several ways of saving on your premium for basic insurance.
Other models under basic insurance
Helsana offers basic insurance as a standard version as well as four alternative models. The benefits are the same for all models.
Do you have questions?
We're here to help.