Swiss health insurance to maintain alternative medicine coverage

Senate rejects motion to remove acupuncture and homeopathy from basic insurance coverage, upholding 2009 public vote on alternative treatments.

The Swiss Senate has tacitly rejected a motion to remove alternative medicine from basic health insurance coverage.
Five specific treatment approaches remain covered: acupuncture, homeopathy, phytotherapy, anthroposophic medicine, and TCM pharmacotherapy.
The Swiss population voted in favor of covering these treatments under basic insurance in a 2009 referendum.
Health Minister Elisabeth Baume-Schneider stated that ending coverage would not generate significant financial savings.

2009

Year of Public Vote

Treatment Types Protected

"Such a change would run counter to the will of the population."
— Hannes Germann

"They should become an optional benefit, as is the case today with accidents."
— Philippe Nantermod

Senate Cements Alternative Care Mandate

The Swiss Senate has tacitly rejected a motion to remove alternative medicine from basic health insurance coverage.
Five specific treatment approaches remain covered: acupuncture, homeopathy, phytotherapy, anthroposophic medicine, and TCM pharmacotherapy.
The Swiss population voted in favor of covering these treatments under basic insurance in a 2009 referendum.
Health Minister Elisabeth Baume-Schneider stated that ending coverage would not generate significant financial savings.

2009

Year of Public Vote

Treatment Types Protected

"Such a change would run counter to the will of the population."
— Hannes Germann

"They should become an optional benefit, as is the case today with accidents."
— Philippe Nantermod