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Emergency abroad: What does health insurance pay?

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Vacation – the best part of the year! But what if, just then, you’re ill or you have an accident? Not only is this unpleasant, but it can also become expensive. 

Anyone can have an accident or become ill – suddenly and without warning. In Switzerland, we know where to seek medical help and what our basic insurance or supplementary insurance will pay for. But what about Portugal, Vietnam, or the Maldives? What should you do if you become seriously ill when you’re abroad? What benefits are covered?

Emergency abroad: What should I do?

  • Step 1: Get help. Call the emergency services or go to a hospital or doctor.
  • Step 2: Contact your travel insurance company if you have one. The advisors will help you clarify the costs, answer your questions, and help you organize the next steps.
  • Step 3: Contact your health or accident insurance to clarify what costs will be covered and whether additional proof is required. It’s important that you keep all invoices so that you can submit them later.

What does my health insurance pay for in case of accident or illness abroad? 

In the event of illness, mandatory basic insurance covers the costs abroad if you suddenly fall ill and a return journey to Switzerland is unreasonable or impossible. It does not matter which model you have chosen. In the event of medical emergencies abroad, you are not obligated to contact your designated place of first contact prior to treatment. The costs are not covered if you go to a private clinic or travel abroad for targeted treatment.

If you have an accident abroad, your health insurance will only cover the costs of treatment if you have taken out accident insurance. Anyone who works more than eight hours a week is generally insured through their employer against accidents in Switzerland and abroad. In this case, you must inform your place of work. They will report the accident to the responsible insurance.

If you are not sure whether it is an emergency, it is advisable to contact your health insurance.

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What costs are paid for by basic insurance abroad?

Within EU and EFTA countries, you are entitled to the same benefits for emergency medical treatment as insured residents in that country.

In other countries, i.e. non-EU/EFTA countries, the cost contribution of basic insurance in the event of an emergency is up to twice the cost of the same treatment in your canton of residence. For countries with high health costs such as the US, Canada, Australia, or Japan, twice this amount is often insufficient to cover the costs of treatment. This means that you must pay the costs not covered by basic insurance out of your own pocket. To prevent this, it is worth taking out additional insurance. AXA travel insurance offers comprehensive protection in this case: The combination of the supplementary module for medical expenses abroad and the basic module for personal assistance covers the costs that are not covered by your health insurance.

Basic insurance does not always cover costs relating to an accident or illness, such as recovery, search, or transportation to the hospital. Rescue missions outside of Switzerland or transportation to Switzerland (repatriation) are also not covered, so you need additional insurance. The basic personal assistance module as part of AXA travel insurance covers, for example, rescue and recovery costs and transportation costs to the hospital or for return journeys to Switzerland.

Is basic insurance enough if I get sick abroad?

Basic insurance generally covers the costs of treatment for emergencies or unforeseen illnesses. However, it only covers the costs up to twice the amount paid for comparable treatments in Switzerland. This means that you may have to pay some of the costs yourself when you’re abroad. The costs of medical transportation are also not covered. For comprehensive coverage abroad, it is therefore advisable to take out supplementary insurance or travel insurance. In any case, you should check your insurance coverage before planning a trip and make sure that you are adequately insured. 

How much does return transportation to Switzerland cost?

Return transportation within Europe can cost more than CHF 20,000 if you are flown home by ambulance jet. The cost of a scheduled flight with medical assistance within Europe is less than CHF 10,000, but in most cases it is far more than a vacation budget.

Intercontinental, you are in a much higher price category: For example, the cost of return transportation from Bangkok by ambulance jet currently ranges from CHF 80,000 to CHF 100,000.

Please note: These costs are not covered by basic insurance, regardless of whether you are ill or have had an accident. So that you do not have to pay these costs yourself, you need international health insurance. As part of travel insurance, AXA offers comprehensive coverage in such emergencies by combining the basic module for personal assistance and the supplementary module for medical expenses abroad.

What happens after return transportation to Switzerland?

If you have to go back to the hospital after being transported back home, your medical crew will take you directly to a suitable hospital in your canton of residence. In this instance, “suitable” means that the hospital can treat your injury or illness. If you’re flown back to Switzerland on a scheduled flight, an ambulance will be waiting at the airport for you and your medical support to take you to the hospital. If you’re flown by ambulance jet, the rescue vehicle will be waiting for you directly on the tarmac.

However, if you’ve already been discharged and no longer need to go to the hospital, you can go home directly. It’s possibly a good idea to visit your own doctor.

Travel protection tailored to your needs 

Regardless of where you go, the right insurance coverage is essential. Create a travel insurance package that best serves your needs. You can purchase each of these basic modules individually or in any combination. Add-on modules can only be purchased together with at least one basic module.

Basic modules

  • Cancellation costs insurance: We cover the costs of your vacation, travel, and language stays worldwide if you are unable to begin them, cannot continue them as booked or have to cancel them prematurely.
  • Personal assistance: AXA is ready to provide you with travel insurance no matter where you are in the world. And if you have an emergency while traveling, AXA will pay the costs  for things such as rescue, recovery, and transportation.
  • Roadside assistance: Regardless of whether your car breaks down, you’re in an accident with your motorcycle, your e-bike was stolen, or your racing bike was damaged in a collision: We are there for you around the clock 365 days a year. 

Add-on modules 

  • Luggage: Losing your luggage is not only frustrating, it’s also generally expensive. Our add-on module will pay for your loss if your carry-ons and checked luggage are lost or arrive late.
  • Rental car deductible: We cover the costs of the deductible charged by the car rental or car share company in the event of accidental damage incurred while traveling or on vacation.
  • Travel legal protection: Problems with hotels, airlines, or travel agencies? With the Travel legal protection add-on module, you are protected against legal issues and disputes anywhere in the world, before, during, and after your vacation.
  • Medical expenses abroad: The Medical treatment costs abroad add-on module provides worldwide coverage for the expenses that your health or accident insurance will not pay for.  This module can only be purchased together with the Personal assistance basic module. 

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