Who receives a premium reduction?
If you live in modest financial circumstances, you are entitled to a premium reduction. But what exactly does that mean? Find out everything you need to know about this financial contribution to your premium.
Your way to premium reduction: The most important facts at a glance
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You obtain information from your canton of residence 
You submit your premium reduction application to your canton of residence .svg)
The canton reviews the application 
The canton informs Helsana 
Helsana adjusts the premium amount
- Find out about the requirements from the competent office in your canton of residence.
- Submit an application to the competent office in your canton of residence. Please note the deadlines.
- The canton will review your application. Duration: up to 3 months.
- If your application is accepted, the canton informs Helsana.
- The corrected premium or a credit note for overpaid premiums will appear on your next invoice. Duration: max. 1 month. As soon as Helsana is informed about the decision, we will adjust your premium or you will receive a credit for overpaid premiums.
Your contact for premium reductions
The canton handles steps 1 to 4; Helsana handles step 5. Please contact the responsible authority in your canton of residence for information. You can find a list of the cantonal information offices at the OASI/DI Information Centre.
Good to know
- If you switch health insurance, the competent office in your canton of residence will automatically forward the information about your premium reduction to your new health insurance company.
- If you receive supplementary benefits on top of the AHV or IV pension, you don’t need to apply for a premium reduction.
- Under the Federal Health Insurance Act, we are not permitted to disclose the premium reduction on the policy. This means you will not see the reduction until you receive your premium invoice.
Frequently asked questions about premium reductions
You can claim an individual premium reduction if you have taken out compulsory health insurance (basic insurance) from a health insurer recognised by the Swiss federal government and your income and assets are low enough to qualify you for financial support. The premium reduction is granted by the canton and varies from canton to canton.
Good to know
You can also claim a premium reduction if you live in an EU country, Iceland or Norway, draw a pension from Switzerland and meet certain requirements. You can obtain further information from Stiftung Gemeinsame Einrichtung KVG.
Among other things, the amount of the individual premium reduction depends on the total taxable income, place of residence and age of the insured person.
Good to know
From the age of 18, the total taxable income applies, even if the insured person still lives in the parental household and is insured under the same contract.
Young adults’ premiums are reduced by more during their initial education.
There is no entitlement to a premium reduction if private health insurance is interrupted during military service.
The cantons process the individual premium reduction directly through the insurers. The amount is deducted from the insurance premium directly.
Good to know
If the premium subsidy has not yet been deducted from your premium invoice two months after receipt of the decree, please contact the competent office in your canton of residence. You should nevertheless pay the premium invoice on time in order to avoid a reminder. Once we receive confirmation from the canton, we will send you the correction/credit for the excess premium paid with the next invoice.
Some local authorities use tax factors, including taxable income and assets, to determine which residents can claim an individual premium reduction. The canton then sends the eligible persons a pre-printed application form, which they can simply sign and return.
Other local authorities require insured persons to enquire about their eligibility for a premium reduction themselves.
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