Summary

The Federal Department of the Interior (EDI) opens a consultation on April 1, 2026 regarding amendments to the Health Insurance Ordinance (KVV) of June 27, 1995. In parallel, a complete revision of the Ordinance on Cost Determination and Service Recording by Hospitals, Birth Centers and Care Homes (VKL) is being conducted. These measures implement an amendment to the Federal Health Insurance Act (KVG) of March 18, 1994 and aim to establish uniform financing of services in the hospital sector.

Persons

  • Federal Department of the Interior (EDI) – Lead responsibility

Topics

  • Health insurance law
  • Hospital financing
  • Cost determination
  • Consultation procedure
  • Federal legislation

Clarus Lead

Switzerland is reforming its hospital financing architecture through a dual ordinance revision. The consultation signals a paradigm shift from fragmented to uniform financing mechanisms in healthcare. Stakeholders from cantons, hospitals and insurers now have the opportunity to comment before implementation.

Detailed Summary

The Swiss government is operationally implementing a legislatively approved amendment to the KVG. The complete revision of the VKL marks a substantial redesign of cost recording and service billing for acute hospitals, birth centers and inpatient care institutions. The consultation is the federal standard procedure for consulting affected actors before ordinance provisions come into force.

The consultation documentation is available on the federal platform fedlex.data.admin.ch (Project 2026/18). The procedure enables cantons, associations and the public to submit comments before the final ordinance texts are adopted.

Key Points

  • Dual ordinance revision: KVV amendment and VKL complete revision
  • Implementation of a KVG legislative amendment from March 1994
  • Uniform financing logic for hospital services targeted
  • Consultation procedure begins April 1, 2026

Critical Questions

  1. Evidence/Source Validity: What empirical data on current cost recording in hospitals justify the need for a complete revision of the VKL?

  2. Conflicts of Interest: How are conflicts of interest between cantons (operators), hospitals (service providers) and insurers (cost bearers) resolved when establishing uniform financing criteria?

  3. Causality/Alternatives: To what extent does uniform financing demonstrably address cost control better than previous fragmented models? What alternative models were considered?

  4. Feasibility: What technical systems and training measures are required to prepare hospitals, birth centers and care homes for the new cost determination standards?

  5. Side Effects: Is there a risk that uniform financing requirements will lead to service reductions in underserved regions?

Bibliography

Primary Source: Consultation Opening: Federal Department of the Interior – https://www.news.admin.ch/de/newnsb/9N258FAXWmK6tcoBxyUQx

Reference Documents:

  • Federal Health Insurance Act (KVG) of March 18, 1994
  • Health Insurance Ordinance (KVV) of June 27, 1995
  • Ordinance on Cost Determination and Service Recording (VKL)
  • Fedlex Project Page: https://fedlex.data.admin.ch/eli/dl/proj/2026/18/cons_1

Verification Status: ✓ April 1, 2026

This text was created with the support of an AI model. Editorial Responsibility: clarus.news | Fact-Check: April 1, 2026