Insurance abroad: costs covered by Sanitas

Your basic insurance covers the costs of emergency treatment abroad – but this doesn’t apply everywhere. If you’re outside Europe, you may be left with a hefty bill, because medical treatment is very expensive in some countries. 

Imagine you are abroad and have an accident or fall ill. You have to go to a doctor. But what are the financial consequences? In countries such as the USA or Japan medical treatment is much more expensive than in Switzerland. And in many cases, patients have to pay costs in advance.

Supplementary insurance protects you against high costs

With the right supplementary insurance, you don’t have to worry about the money. We cover a large part of the costs. And we help coordinate your treatment. For example, we cover any upfront costs.

What benefits are covered by basic insurance?

Within Europe

The basic insurance covers the costs according to the social insurance tariff of the respective country. This applies to all countries within the European Union (EU), the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and the United Kingdom (UK). The benefits are based on the regulations of the statutory health insurance system in the respective country and correspond to the conditions and costs that also apply to insured persons in the respective country.

Outside Europe

Basic insurance covers up to twice the amount that the treatment costs in your canton of residence. You have to cover any additional costs.

Transport and rescue

In addition to the treatment costs, basic insurance also covers a contribution towards the transport costs.Within the EU, EFTA and the United Kingdom (UK), this corresponds to the costs according to the social insurance tariff of the respective country or 50 per cent up to CHF 500. Outside Europe, it is 50 per cent up to a maximum of CHF 1,000. 


Please note: The costs of medical repatriation and rescue transport abroad are not covered by basic insurance. These costs are borne by you.

What benefits are covered by supplementary insurance?

The following supplementary insurance plans cover higher costs and offer additional benefits for outpatient and inpatient treatment abroad if you have an accident or fall ill:

Vital Basic

Vital Smart

Vital Premium

100% for outpatient and inpatient treatment (including the cost of medication) for max. 180 days

100% of services organised by Sanitas Assistance (including transportation and repatriation, purchase of medicines, organisation of accommodation, up to 10 overnight stays at CHF 200 each)


Hospital Standard Liberty

  • 100% up to 180 days in multi-bed room
  • 100% of costs for transport, search and rescue operations (up to CHF 20,000)
Hospital Standard Liberty

Hospital Extra Liberty

  • Emergencies: 100% up to 180 days in 2-bed room
  • Planned treatments: CHF 1,000 per day in 2-bed room for up to 180 days within a period of 360 days
  • 100% of costs for transport, search and rescue operations (up to CHF 30,000)
Hospital Extra Liberty

Hospital Top Liberty

  • 100% in single room, also for planned treatment (up to CHF 250,000)
  • 100% for transport and rescue operations (unlimited)
  • 100% for search operations (up to CHF 20,000)
Hospital Top Liberty

Medical Private

  • Free choice of doctors inside and outside Switzerland
  • Planned outpatient treatment or prescribed therapies abroad
  • Costs covered up to CHF 100,000 per calendar year (max. copayment CHF 1,000)
Medical Private

Easy

  • 90% for outpatient or 100% for inpatient emergency treatment
  • 100% of transport costs (unlimited)
  • Search and rescue costs (unlimited)
Easy

The Sanitas Portal also helps abroad

What should you do if you need medical help abroad? Which costs are covered? In the Sanitas Portal you’ll find the most important services, information, contact details and forms for trips abroad – all in one place. It’s also a good idea to install the Sanitas Portal app on your smartphone.