Insurance cover abroad
Foreign travel is exciting. But what if you suddenly fall ill or have an accident? Without the right insurance cover abroad, costs can very quickly mount up, especially if you only have basic insurance.
Properly insured abroad
What basic insurance pays for treatment abroad
When you're abroad, mandatory basic insurance only pays for emergencies. In this case an emergency means if you suddenly fall ill or suffer an injury and are unable to return to Switzerland immediately for treatment. If you go abroad specifically to receive treatment, that doesn't qualify as an emergency.
What does basic insurance pay in an emergency abroad?
If you need urgent medical assistance while abroad, basic insurance will cover emergency treatment in public hospitals and medical practices. At most, basic insurance will cover double the amount that the same treatment would cost in Switzerland. If the treatment abroad is more expensive, you have to pay the rest out of your own pocket.
No cost coverage for patient transport or repatriation
Outside Switzerland, basic insurance doesn't pay for patient transport or repatriation. Even if this type of transport were medically reasonable, you would still have to meet the costs yourself. That's why we recommend having additional insurance cover abroad..
Supplementary insurance from CSS for better protection abroad
In countries with high healthcare costs, such as the USA, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Japan, the cover provided by basic insurance generally won’t be enough. That's why supplementary insurance is important if you want to avoid costs that could burn a serious hole in your pocket. Treatment costs can also be expensive in Africa and Latin America. Many travellers there decide to seek treatment in a private hospital as public hospitals aren't of the same standard as in Switzerland.
Good to know: Supplementary insurance complements basic insurance and only assumes medical costs if basic insurance does too. If treatment abroad isn't recognised as an emergency, no benefits will be paid under supplementary insurance.
myFlex Outpatient supplementary insurance
myFlex Outpatient Insurance provides optimum protection if the worst comes to the worst. It lets you enjoy benefits worldwide that aren't available under basic insurance. Always let CSS know about elective outpatient treatment in advance, as benefits will only be provided if a commitment to provide cover is issued beforehand.
Benefits under myFlex Outpatient Insurance
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Emergency outpatient and inpatient treatment
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Personal assistance for help with additional travel costs, compassionate family visits and more
- Legal Expenses Insurance for Patients and Legal Expenses Insurance while Abroad
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Emergency transport and rescue
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Transport to avoid or curtail periods of hospitalisation
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Repatriation to Switzerland
- Elective outpatient treatmentn (Premium category)
myFlex Hospitalisation supplementary insurance
MyFlex Premium Hospitalisation Insurance gives you access to the best medical care worldwide. It also covers elective inpatient treatment abroad. That means you can receive treatment in first-rate clinics anywhere in the world without having to fear the expense. Always let CSS know about treatment in advance, as benefits will only be provided if a commitment to provide cover is issued beforehand.
Benefits under myFlex Premium Hospitalisation Insurance
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Elective inpatient treatment abroad
Emergency Insurance Livo supplementary insurance
Would you like to make sure you’re covered for high costs abroad, no matter what happens? Emergency Insurance Livo lets you plug the main gaps in basic insurance.
Benefits under Emergency Insurance Livo
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Worldwide cover for emergencies, including emergency transport and repatriation to Switzerland
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Search and rescue operations
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Personal assistance during stays abroad and participation in additional travel costs
When does travel insurance make sense?
Quick trip abroad? Travel insurance from CSS has you well covered in emergencies and for lost luggage or cancellations. It can be taken out for a single trip or a whole year and supplements basic insurance in genuine emergencies. If treatment abroad isn't recognised as an emergency under basic insurance, no benefits will be paid by travel insurance either.
Get it at any time, no questions asked
It couldn't be easier: You can take out travel insurance at any time, even on the day of departure, without having to answer questions about your health. Letting you enjoy a carefree trip.
Benefits under travel insurance
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Emergency outpatient and inpatient treatment
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Worldwide rescue, repatriation, outpatient and inpatient treatment, compassionate family visit & return travel costs
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Cost of cancellation, delayed departure or cutting short a trip
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Insures your luggage against theft, damage and loss
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Legal expenses abroad
What insurance documents do you need abroad?
When travelling abroad, it's crucial to take the right insurance documents with you. Only a few countries require confirmation of insurance.
EU or EFTA states
Make sure to take your actual Swiss insurance card with you. The digital card in the myCSS app will not be adequate. The European Health Insurance Card can be found on the back of the card. It is valid in all EU and EFTA countries plus Iceland, Norway and the United Kingdom. If you need treatment, present the card directly to the hospital or medical practice.
N.B.: Retention fees and co-payments must be paid upfront at the time; they will depend on the rules in the country you're visiting.
Countries that require confirmation of insurance
In addition to a visa, some countries, e.g. Cuba, Russia, Belarus and Iran, require proof of insurance. You can find out whether you need this by checking with the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA or your travel agent. If you do need confirmation, CSS will be happy to provide it.
Frequently asked questions
An emergency means suddenly falling ill or having an accident while abroad. You can't possibly or reasonably be expected to return to Switzerland.
A commitment to provide cover is written confirmation from your insurer that it will assume the cost of certain medical services abroad. Always request a commitment to provide cover before getting treatment or buying medication. That way, you'll know exactly which costs will be covered. Because this can vary from country to country.
Basic insurance pays for dental treatment abroad only if you suffer a dental injury; the accident causing that injury must be included in your basic insurance cover. In this case, only the cost of the necessary immediate care will be met. Any follow-up treatment must take place in Switzerland.
Suffering toothache while abroad doesn't qualify as an accident. Basic insurance will not assume any of the cost. If you have supplementary Dental Care Insurance, we'll look into paying a share of the cost on an ad hoc basis – for example, if you're spending some time abroad and can't reasonably be expected to return to Switzerland.
Basic insurance only pays for treatment abroad in an emergency. Even in the case of pregnancy and childbirth.
N.B.: Plan your trip so that you'll be back in Switzerland in time for the birth. If you need an examination during your trip, it must be requested in advance by a doctor, stating the reasons. Please call our emergency hotline immediately – we'll help you and coordinate the treatment.
What does NOT count as an emergency?
- A normal birth on or around the due date.
- Regular pregnancy check-ups.
- Planned treatment or birth abroad.
Complications or premature birth
Not all complications automatically qualify as an emergency. We'll look into them on a case-by-case basis. To do that, we need confirmation from a doctor that you were fit to travel along with a treatment report.
Our emergency centre is there to help you 24/7 in an emergency abroad. Call +41 (0)58 277 77 77 and press 3 for an emergency abroad.
If you only have basic insurance, you must meet the costs yourself. If you have myFlex Outpatient Insurance, Emergency Insurance Livo or travel insurance from CSS, the cost of repatriation will be assumed.
Good to know: Repatriation can be expensive. If you have to be flown back by air ambulance from Greece, for example, it will cost you around CHF 20,000. If you have to be brought back from Thailand or the USA, you could face a bill for around CHF 100,000. If you don’t have supplementary insurance, these expenses can quickly become a problem.
- Submit your doctor's or hospital bill digitally via the myCSS app.
- To speed up the refund process, kindly let us know about the treatment abroad.
- If an accident is involved, we also need an accident report.
To enable us to process bills issued abroad, please note the following:
- Language: The bill must be in English, German, French or Italian.
- Content: The bill must contain the following information::
- Your name and insurance number
- A precise list of treatments and medication
- Your name and insurance number
- Proof of payment: Please send confirmation of payment (e.g. receipt or credit card statement) along with the bill.
- Bill required: We always need an itemised bill in order to make a refund. Confirmation of payment (e.g. credit card receipt) alone is not enough.
Tip if submitting by post: Make copies of original documents before submitting them.
You must always pay the basic insurance co-payment (deductible and retention fee) yourself – even for bills issued abroad. Supplementary insurance provides benefits over and above those paid under basic insurance. For example, it covers higher treatment costs abroad or repatriation.
