by phone first
Telemedicine model: TelMed
Get medical advice by phone, chat or video call – whenever and wherever you want.
Key benefits
Who is TelMed Basic suitable for?
TelMed Basic is ideal for anyone who wants to clarify their health queries with a doctor by phone, chat or video call no matter the time or place, and thus avoid visits to the doctor wherever possible. This way, you save time and money – through lower medical costs and a premium discount.
Who is TelMed Plus suitable for?
In addition to telemedicine, TelMed Plus gives you the option of contacting a pharmacy for medical advice. After the telemedical consultation, you are free to choose a doctor. You'll also benefit from a wide range of Plus benefits.
How TelMed works
Step 1
You always contact the telemedicine centre first for an appointment when you need medical advice: by phone on 0844 111 365 for TelMed Basic and 058 344 58 58 for TelMed Plus or via the app – or you can use the Doctor Chat in the Sanitas Medgate app.
With TelMed Plus, you also have the option of seeking advice from a partner pharmacy first.
Step 2
A doctor calls you at the agreed time. Together you draw up a binding treatment plan.
With TelMed Plus: If you go to a partner pharmacy first, they will decide on the next treatment steps with you.
Step 3
The treatment takes place via the telemedicine centre or you will be referred to a doctor. If you need medication, you will receive an e-prescription directly via the Sanitas Medgate app. Please always notify the telemedicine centre of any follow-up check-ups or referrals to other medical professionals.
With TelMed Plus: You can also receive treatment directly in a partner pharmacy. If you need to see a doctor, contact the telemedicine centre.
In hospital
If you require inpatient hospital treatment, you have to contact the telemedicine centre prior to hospital admission.
In an emergency
An initial point of contact should also be contacted in the event of an emergency. If this is not possible or reasonable, the telemedicine centre must be notified of emergency treatment within 14 days of the start of treatment at the latest.
An emergency is defined as a situation where the condition of the insured person is deemed to be life-threatening or requiring immediate treatment.
Exceptions
You can go straight to a specialist in these cases: Gynaecological check-ups, maternity examinations (including childbirth), visits to a dentist, periodic eye tests, vaccinations and paediatric treatment for children up to end of the year in which they turn 7.
Overview of benefits
All basic insurance models offer the same benefits. We reimburse you for the benefits after the statutory cost shares (deductible, copayment and/or hospital copayment) have been deducted.
Sanitas may cover part or all of your cost shares (deductible and copayment) for certain benefits. You can find an overview of the corresponding benefits here.
Basic health insurance | |
|---|---|
| Outpatient treatment | Treatment by doctors and chiropractors as well as medically prescribed therapies provided by other medical professionals |
| EU/EFTA (in emergencies) | Treatment as per bilateral agreements on free movement of persons |
| Other countries (in emergencies) | Up to max. of double the costs paid under the tariff for place of residence or place of work |
If administered by medical doctors: acupuncture, anthroposophical medicine, homoeopathy, phytotherapy, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in accordance with the statutory provisions | |
Medical aids as per list of aids and equipment (MiGeL) | |
Medicines/drugs as per the Department of Health’s list of pharmaceutical specialities. | |
Preventive measures, e.g. well-child check-ups, gynaecological check-ups (every 3 years), specific vaccinations | |
Check-ups by doctors or midwives, CHF 150 for antenatal course, breastfeeding advice | |
Treatment by doctors or psychotherapists approved for basic insurance. | |
| Up to age 18 | CHF 180.– |
| Spa treatments in Switzerland | CHF 10 per day, max. 21 days, at accredited spas in Switzerland |
| Transport | 50%, max. CHF 500.– |
| Rescue | 50%, max. CHF 5000.– |
| Switzerland | General ward in hospitals on official list, up to tariff for canton of residence |
| EU/EFTA (in emergencies) | Accommodation, nursing care and treatment as per bilateral agreements on the free movement of persons |
| Other countries (in emergencies) | Up to a maximum of double the costs paid under the tariff for the canton of residence |
The amounts listed are maximum benefits and, unless specified otherwise, are valid for each calendar year. Benefits are only granted in accordance with the Swiss Federal Health Insurance Act (KVG/HIA), the corresponding ordinances and the general terms of insurance and supplementary terms of Sanitas.
Downloads
Frequently asked questions
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What is TelMed?
TelMed is our telemedicine product. It is available in the variants Basic and Plus. TelMed offers you medical advice without having to visit a doctor’s practice. Customers always call the telemedicine centre first if they have a health problem. The telemedicine centre is the first point of contact for medical queries and coordinates any further treatment. TelMed Basic offers binding support and the choice of further healthcare providers in the treatment pathway via the telemedicine centre. Complete telemedicine consultations are billed under basic insurance in the same way as a visit to the doctor. TelMed Plus offers partner pharmacies as additional points of contact and greater flexibility in the choice of healthcare providers for in-person visits to the doctor. Telemedicine consultations and initial consultations in partner pharmacies are free of charge. You also benefit from additional services, such as consultation hours with specialists or prevention and early detection examinations.
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What happens if I visit a doctor first instead of contacting the telemedicine center?
If you visit your family doctor or a specialist without having called the telemedicine service first, you will receive a reminder. If it happens again, you will be transferred to the Free Choice of Doctor model for basic insurance.
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How much does telemedical treatment cost?
Telemedicine consultations are free of charge for insured persons with TelMed Plus. This also includes issuing prescriptions or certificates of incapacity for work. With TelMed Basic, complete teleconsultations are billed under basic insurance in the same way as a visit to the doctor. You cover these costs yourself until you’ve reached your chosen deductible. After that, you pay the coinsurance.
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Can I choose my family doctor myself?
In the TelMed models, the telemedicine centre is the first point of contact for health-related questions. If a doctor’s visit is recommended there, TelMed Plus allows you to choose the medical practice you would like to visit yourself. With TelMed Basic, you decide together with the telemedicine centre which doctor to consult.
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What should I do in an emergency?
In case of emergency, please contact the telemedicine center first. If this is not possible, report the treatment within 14 days.
*TelMed Plus: Discount of between 7% and 11%
Example of 7% discount: Adult premium for TelMed Plus compared to Free Choice of Doctor (Aargau, CHF 300 deductible, with accident cover)
Example of 11% discount: Adult premium for TelMed Plus compared to Free Choice of Doctor (Zurich 1, CHF 2,500 deductible, with or without accident cover)
TelMed Basic: Discount of between 10% and 20%
Example of 10% discount: Adult premium for TelMed Basic compared to Free Choice of Doctor (Ticino 2, CHF 300 deductible, with accident cover)
Example of 20% discount: Adult premium for TelMed Basic compared to Free Choice of Doctor (Zurich 1, CHF 2,500 deductible, with or without accident cover)