Summary

The Swiss Federal Council decided on 12 June 2026 to improve reimbursement for specialized palliative care through increased contributions from mandatory health insurance (OKP). The Federal Department of the Interior (EDI) is raising the corresponding service tariffs, which will take effect on 1 January 2027. At the same time, the federal government is introducing differentiated maximum patient contributions to limit additional financial burdens. This transitional solution is intended to remain in place until the planned unified financing of all nursing services in 2032.

Persons

Topics

  • Palliative Care
  • Health Insurance Financing
  • Nursing Service Reimbursement
  • Swiss Health Policy

Clarus Lead

The decision addresses a documented financing gap: A Federal Council report from June 2025 had determined that reimbursement for specialized palliative care is currently inadequate. Rather than waiting until a comprehensive financing reform takes effect in 2032, the federal government is now creating a temporary interim solution that places responsibility on cantons and municipalities while protecting patients from additional cost increases.

Detailed Summary

The financing of outpatient and inpatient nursing services currently consists of three components: the OKP contribution, patient cost-sharing, and residual financing by cantons or municipalities. For specialized palliative care, this three-part financing had proven insufficient, as the Commission for Social Security and Health of the Council of States (Motion 20.4264) had already demanded.

The Federal Council tasked the EDI with increasing OKP contributions for specialized palliative care. In parallel, differentiated maximum contributions are being introduced: Insured persons will henceforth pay a maximum of 22.55 francs per day for outpatient palliative care (instead of 15.35 francs standard), and a maximum of 30.40 francs in specialized nursing homes (instead of 23 francs). This differentiation ensures that only patients with actual palliative care needs bear higher out-of-pocket costs. Cantons remain obligated to provide appropriate residual financing and may reduce or waive patient contributions.

Key Messages

  • The Federal Council is increasing OKP contributions for specialized palliative care effective 1 January 2027 as a transitional solution until unified financing in 2032.
  • New differentiated maximum contributions prevent insured persons without palliative care needs from being affected by cost increases.
  • Cantons and municipalities remain obligated to provide residual financing; patient protection from additional burdens remains the goal.

Critical Questions

  1. Evidence Quality: What specific data demonstrate that current reimbursement is "inadequate"? Have case numbers, cost deficits, or care gaps been quantified?

  2. Financing Gap Until 2032: How will it be ensured that cantons fulfill their residual financing obligations when the federal government only covers part of the cost increase?

  3. Tariff Design: By what criteria was the level of new OKP contributions (22.55 and 30.40 francs respectively) calculated – do these actually cover specialized service provision?

  4. Implementation Risks: How will cantons and private health insurers practically implement the differentiated maximum contributions without creating administrative burden?

  5. Incentive Effects: Could higher reimbursement for specialized palliative care promote overdiagnosis or unnecessary specialization?

  6. Transition Period: Why does the transition to unified financing take until 2032 – are there delays in tariff development?

Source Directory

Primary Source: Federal Council Press Release: Specialized Palliative Care – Improved Financing

Supplementary Sources:

  1. Federal Council Report of 25 June 2025 on Motion 20.4264 (Commission for Social Security and Health of the Council of States)
  2. Federal Office of Public Health (BAG): KVV and KLV Amendments

Verification Status: ✓ 12.06.2026

This text was created with the support of an AI model. Editorial responsibility: clarus.news | Fact-check: 12.06.2026