Stay in hospital – planned or emergency
A stay in hospital can raise many questions. We're here for you: in deciding about surgery, in planning your stay in hospital and on your journey back to health.
To operate or not?
We seek lots of advice before buying a car or renovating our home. You have the opportunity to do the same before an operation. A neutral second opinion can help you make a confident decision.
Ask the doctor providing the second opinion these questions:
- Why is an operation recommended?
- What improvements will it bring? What will it not improve?
- What are the possible risks and side effects?
- Are there different surgical techniques?
- Are there other treatment options?
- What happens if I don't have the operation?
- Is the operation necessary? How long can I wait?
Printable questionnaire
Would you like to make notes? Use our questionnaire.
Choosing the right hospital for surgery
Which specialist has experience, which hospital is ideal for this procedure? Get your doctor's opinion and ask the people around you to share their own experiences.
Free choice of hospital for planned surgery
You generally have a free choice of hospital. Basic insurance covers the cost of hospitalisation in any hospital that features on the list for the canton in which you live. Hospitalisation insurance gives you a free choice of hospital anywhere in Switzerland.
Good to know: Check whether the chosen hospital is recognised for your preferred ward (general, semi-private, private).
What happens in a medical emergency abroad?
Emergencies happen without warning, making immediate medical treatment unavoidable. Basic insurance covers the cost of an emergency – no matter where you happen to be and whether or not the hospital is on the list.
Best quality for you
We are committed to quality and transparency in medical care. It’s our way of ensuring that our healthcare system remains one of the world’s best, today and in the future.
Who pays hospitalisation costs?
You have decided on a doctor and hospital. Your hospital will notify us of the planned procedure so that we can verify cost coverage.
What your insurance pays:
- Basic insurance pays the statutory benefits for the general ward.
- Hospitalisation insurance fills the gaps left by basic insurance – depending on level, in a general, semi-private or private ward.
Good to know: If you have private or semi-private cover but opt for treatment in a general ward, you'll get money back. For a stay of 3 nights, CSS refunds up to CHF 2,000 if you choose this ward.
Cost coverage in hospital
The full costs are not always covered during a stay in hospital.
What you pay:
- Under basic insurance, you pay a share of the costs of hospitalisation. The co-payment consists of a deductible, retention fee and contribution to hospital costs.
- Under supplementary insurance, the share of hospital costs you pay depends on the chosen form of hospitalisation insurance and ward.
Any questions?
Not sure what we pay? Questions about your commitment to provide cover? As your partner, we're happy to help with all questions concerning your health. By the way, the myCSS client portal lets you keep track of your insurance matters and ensures your documents are always to hand.
Hospitalisation in Geneva and Vaud
Are you planning to get treatment in a hospital in the cantons of Geneva or Vaud? From February 2025, there may be some restrictions on the coverage of costs for medical services. Contact your hospital and attending doctor in good time so they can request a commitment to provide cover.
Hospitalisation in Geneva and Vaud
Are you planning to get treatment in a hospital in the cantons of Geneva or Vaud? From February 2025, there may be some restrictions on the coverage of costs for medical services. Contact your hospital and attending doctor in good time so they can request a commitment to provide cover.
Preparing to go into hospital
You should be as relaxed as possible when you are admitted to hospital. We help make sure you don't forget anything.
Advance arrangements
- Let your employer know well ahead of time. And tell your friends and relatives that you plan to have surgery.
- Which relatives should be notified after the operation? Make a note of their phone numbers.
- Check with your doctor whether you can take your medication as usual and take it with you when you go into hospital.
- Do you have an advance healthcare directive? Inform your relatives and take it with you when you go into hospital.
- Arrange for someone you trust to empty your mailbox, water your plants and look after your pets.
Take with you to hospital
- Take the following documents with you: insurance card and other health documents such as an allergy passport, diabetes monitoring diary, blood group & vaccination card.
- Pack your own toiletries and comfy clothes, pyjamas and underwear. Leave jewellery and valuable items at home if possible.
- Take something to read with you to pass the time. Pack headphones and a charger for your smartphone.
Planning and coordinating your discharge from hospital
As soon as you know your discharge date, you can plan your return home along with the next steps in your recovery. You can also submit the bills for payment. How will you get home? What sort of limitations should you expect? Do you need assistance from Spitex, a home help or other aids? Please discuss these questions with your doctor before leaving hospital.
Planning rehab
Do you need more therapy or would a stay in a rehab clinic make sense? We’re here for you. Our Care Management experts will coordinate your personal stay at a rehab clinic or organise rehabilitation abroad at your request.
Admission to a nursing home
Not able to return home? Compare retirement and nursing homes in your area. You are free to choose which home you would like to go into. Compare the various options. Get documents sent to you, ask about the home’s mission and vision, the rules for residents and the services it provides. You should also ask for a calculation of the costs. View the home and the rooms. Find out whether it’s possible to try it out for a few days or make a respite visit.
The care-related costs are paid for through health insurance, by the retirement or nursing home resident and, if necessary, by the local authorities.
Care management
Would you like advice on the best treatment, the right care and the ideal aids?
