Summary
The Swiss Federal Council sent a proposal to increase the minimum deductible in mandatory health insurance to public consultation on March 13, 2026. The deductible is to be raised from currently 300 to 400 francs in order to strengthen the personal responsibility of the insured and dampen healthcare costs. An automatic adjustment mechanism is to trigger an increase in the future if the cost-sharing falls below 13.5 percent of total benefits. Children remain exempt from deductibles.
Persons
- Friedli (Proposer)
Topics
- Health insurance reform
- Cost control in healthcare
- Personal responsibility of the insured
- Premium development
Clarus Lead
The Federal Council is implementing parliamentary Motion 24.3636 and is increasing the minimum deductible for the first time in 22 years. The increase to 400 francs aims to encourage insured persons to make more cost-conscious decisions and thus slow premium increases. An innovative automatic mechanism ensures that the deductible will be adjusted in the future as soon as cost-sharing falls below a defined threshold – without requiring new parliamentary votes. For decision-makers in health policy and the insurance industry, this is a structural signal: Switzerland is increasingly relying on market mechanisms rather than administrative intervention.
Detailed Summary
The amendment to the Federal Health Insurance Act (KVG) is based on Motion 24.3636 "Adapting the minimum deductible to real conditions," which Parliament adopted on March 19, 2025. It pursues two goals: limiting healthcare costs and strengthening personal responsibility. The last deductible increase was 22 years ago (2004: from 230 to 300 francs). Since then, the cost-sharing of the insured through deductibles, co-payments, and hospital costs has remained relatively stable, fluctuating over the last ten years between 13.4 and 13.9 percent of total benefits.
The new adjustment mechanism operates on a rule-based basis: as soon as cost-sharing falls below 13.5 percent, a deductible increase is triggered. This occurs through an ordinance amendment, not through legislative revision – a pragmatic approach that can respond more quickly. The Federal Council expects a "slight reduction" in health insurance premiums from this, but explicitly warns against overly drastic increases: they must not lead to the waiver of necessary healthcare and must not disadvantage the chronically ill. In 2024, 45 percent of adults chose the minimum deductible, 55 percent chose a higher optional deductible. Children continue to be exempt from deductibles.
Key Statements
- First increase in 22 years: Minimum deductible rises from 300 to 400 francs; adjustment to cost development planned.
- Automatic adjustment mechanism: Future increases will be triggered when insured cost-sharing falls below 13.5% – without new parliamentary vote.
- Deliberately managed trade-off: Cost containment is to remain moderate in order to avoid waiver of care and discrimination against the chronically ill.
- Broad impact: 45% of adults currently pay the minimum deductible; children remain exempt.
Critical Questions
Evidence: What empirical data demonstrate that a deductible increase of 100 francs actually leads to premium reductions? Are elasticity studies available that quantify the cost-containment potential?
Conflicts of Interest: Do insurers benefit disproportionately from the increase while patients bear the cost risk? How is it ensured that savings are passed on to the insured?
Causality & Alternatives: Is the deductible increase the most effective instrument for cost control, or would supply-side measures (hospital structures, physician fees) be more effective?
Implementation & Side Effects: How is it prevented that low-income insured persons postpone preventive examinations? Are there protective provisions for vulnerable groups?
Automation Risks: Could the adjustment mechanism lead to a spiral of continuous deductible increases without parliamentary and public approval?
Data Basis of the Threshold: Why was 13.5% chosen as the threshold? Is this scientifically justified or politically determined?
Sources
Primary Source: Press Release Federal Council – Increase in Minimum Deductible – Published March 13, 2026
Verification Status: ✓ March 13, 2026
This text was created with the support of an AI model. Editorial responsibility: clarus.news | Fact-checking: March 13, 2026