BeneFit PLUS Telmed
In the event of health problems, always call the independent Centre for Telemedicine first: 0800 800 090. This way, you can get medical assistance around the clock as well as an attractive premium discount.
How BeneFit PLUS Telmed works
Whether a treatment measure, referral to a specialist or admission to hospital, the Telemedicine Centre is your first port of call. The suggested treatment is binding.
Illness or accident 
Telemedicine centre 
Further treatment
Emergency: in an emergency, always go directly to an emergency doctor or a hospital.
Emergency 
Emergency doctor or hospital -
Telemedicine centre
Please note: You must subsequently inform the telemedicine health care of any such emergencies.
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
- Access to BetterDoc: find the specialist you need fast
- 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 Telemedicine 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.
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.
- Whatever the time of day or night and wherever you happen to be, you can get medical support by telephone around the clock from the Telemedicine Centre.
- Digital services like symptom checker and video consultation
- Medical advice can be provided in French, German, Italian and English.
- Your medical treatment is coordinated optimally and unnecessary examinations are avoided.
- This allows you to benefit from an attractive premium discount.
Good to know: for acute medical concerns you can also access digital support via the client portal and the myHelsana app, e.g. using the symptom checker and the medical video consultation. You can also view past and planned treatments at any time. What’s more, you can use the BetterDoc service free of charge to find the right specialists and notify the Telemedicine Centre of the recommendation. BetterDoc can also help in the event of any doubts regarding ongoing treatment, e.g. prior to any treatment.
This is possible for certain illnesses. The healthcare professional or doctor at the telemedicine centre will be happy to discuss this with you.
The healthcare professional or doctor at the telemedicine centre will discuss the referral with you and suggest several appropriate doctors in your area. You can then select one of the suggested doctors. If you already have a GP practice, you will be referred to this practice.
You can send photos and have these assessed by a doctor. On request, the medical consultation can also take place via video conferencing.
Yes. If necessary, the telemedicine centre will request the advice of a paediatrician.
When you opt for the BeneFit PLUS Telmed model, you agree to always first call the Telemedicine Centre in the event of a health problem. If you need a specialist, the Telemedicine Centre will refer you to one. What’s more, you can use the BetterDoc service free of charge to find the right specialists and notify the Telemedicine Centre of the recommendation. BetterDoc can also help in the event of any doubts regarding ongoing treatment, e.g. prior to any treatment.
If you consult a specialist directly, without having been referred by the Telemedicine Centre, you are breaching your obligations under the Telmed model. As a result, Helsana may switch you to the standard model of basic insurance. This will result in you losing the discount on your basic insurance premium associated with the Telmed model.
The course of treatment comprises all medical steps until your complete recovery.
The optimum and binding course of treatment is defined by you and the healthcare professional or doctor at the telemedicine centre.
You should inform the telemedicine centre so that it is always aware of the current status of your treatment.
Calls to the telemedicine centre are generally free of charge. However, depending on your phone provider, connection charges may be incurred.
Only when you receive a face-to-face consultation following a referral from the healthcare professional or doctor at the telemedicine centre.
When suffering from a chronic illness, your first point of contact should still be a healthcare professional or doctor at the telemedicine centre. They will discuss the next steps with you. Extended periods with no contact or a long-term referral for one year can also be agreed.
Yes, please also first contact the telemedicine service for vaccinations.
Everyone who lives in Switzerland (official place of residence).
If you have taken out the statutory BASIS standard option with the deductible of CHF 300 with us, you can switch to this alternative insurance model on the first of any month and take advantage of its benefits.
Contact us if you would like to change your current insurance.
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.
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 minimum 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? Our advisor will 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. This often needs to be requested by the policyholder in order for it to take effect. 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?
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