Telmed - digitally or by telephone advice
Telmed is a variant of mandatory basic health insurance. When it comes to your health, always consult the symptom checker of the Well app or the telemedical advice center first.
- Free, binding consultation
- Medical support around the clock
- You will receive at least a 10% discount on the premium of your basic insurance.
This is how the telemedicine model works.
Would you prefer to be advised digitally or by telephone first? Is a reduced premium important to you? Then Telmed is ideal for you.
"Illness or
accident
Center for
Telemedicine
Additional
Treatment
Emergency: In an emergency situation, please contact an emergency doctor or a hospital directly.
Emergency
Emergency doctor
or hospital
Family doctor
or HMO
Group practice
Important: Please also report emergencies to telemedical care afterwards.
Insured Benefits
The benefits are the same for all basic insurance models. We will reimburse you for the following benefits after deducting the statutory cost-sharing (deductible / co-payment / hospital cost contribution) from the Telmed model.
Hospital stays in Switzerland
You will receive the costs for the stay, care and treatment in the general ward (multi-bed room).
Foreign Protection
In the event of an emergency, you will receive the relevant social tariff in the EU/EFTA countries. In all other countries we will reimburse a maximum of twice the amount insured in Switzerland.
Transportation and rescue in Switzerland
For transport you receive 50% of the costs up to a maximum of 500 francs per calendar year. For rescue operations, we reimburse 50% of the costs up to a maximum of 5,000 francs per calendar year.
Medicines
You will receive the costs for medications prescribed by a doctor that are listed in the specialty list.
Outpatient treatments – conventional medicine
You will receive the costs according to the rate of the recognized specialist throughout Switzerland.
Outpatient treatments – complementary medicine
You will receive the costs according to the rate of the recognized specialist throughout Switzerland.
Prevention (medical care)
You will receive the costs for certain preventive examinations and measures.
Utilities and items
You will receive the costs up to the statutory maximum amount for medically prescribed aids and items.
Pregnancy
You will receive costs for examinations and birth preparation measures.
Nursing
You receive contributions towards the costs of care at home (Spitex) and in the nursing home.
Spa treatments
You will receive 10 francs per day for spa treatments in recognized spas in Switzerland.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I need basic insurance?
Health insurance under the Health Insurance Act (KVG) is mandatory for all people living in Switzerland. It guarantees basic medical care in the event of illness, accident and maternity.
The scope of services is specified by law. You will therefore receive exactly the same services from every health insurance company in Switzerland.
The scope of services is specified by law. You will therefore receive exactly the same services from every health insurance company in Switzerland.
What are the advantages of the Telmed model?
No matter what time it is or where you are: you can receive medical care around the clock by telephone.
Appointments are no longer necessary.
Medical advice in German, French, Italian and English.
Your medical treatments are optimally coordinated - unnecessary examinations are eliminated.
You will receive at least. 10% discount on your basic insurance premium.
Appointments are no longer necessary.
Medical advice in German, French, Italian and English.
Your medical treatments are optimally coordinated - unnecessary examinations are eliminated.
You will receive at least. 10% discount on your basic insurance premium.
Can the doctor at the telemedicine center write a prescription for a medication?
This is possible for certain illnesses. The medical specialist or doctor at the telemedicine center will be happy to discuss this with you.
Which doctor will I be referred to for a real consultation?
The medical professional or doctor at the telemedicine center will discuss the referral with you and suggest various suitable doctors in your area. You choose one of the suggested doctors.
Can I also send photos to assess my health problem?
If the medical professional or doctor at the Telemedicine Center considers it useful, this option is available.
You will then receive a link via SMS or email following the telephone consultation. This will take you to a protected area of the Telemedicine Center website where you can upload your photo. The doctor will then assess this within four hours and initiate further measures if necessary.
You will then receive a link via SMS or email following the telephone consultation. This will take you to a protected area of the Telemedicine Center website where you can upload your photo. The doctor will then assess this within four hours and initiate further measures if necessary.
Does the Center for Telemedicine also have pediatricians?
Yes, if necessary, the Center for Telemedicine will consult a pediatrician for advice.
What happens if I go straight to a specialist?
By choosing the telemedicine model, you have committed yourself to always calling the Center for Telemedicine if you have health problems. If you need a specialist, the Telemedicine Center will refer you to one.
If you go to a specialist directly without a prior referral, you are ignoring the rules of the Telmed model. Visana can therefore transfer you to the standard basic insurance model. This means you will lose the discount on your basic insurance premium associated with the Telmed model.
If you go to a specialist directly without a prior referral, you are ignoring the rules of the Telmed model. Visana can therefore transfer you to the standard basic insurance model. This means you will lose the discount on your basic insurance premium associated with the Telmed model.
What is a treatment pathway and how is it determined?
The treatment path includes all steps of medical care until your complete recovery.
You will determine the optimal and binding treatment path for you together with the medical specialist or doctor at the telemedicine center.
You will determine the optimal and binding treatment path for you together with the medical specialist or doctor at the telemedicine center.
What do I have to do if the treating doctor refers me to another doctor (e.g. specialist)?
You inform the center for telemedicine so that they are always informed about the current status of your treatment.
Is there a charge for the telephone number of the Center for Telemedicine?
Calls to the Telemedicine Center's telephone number are generally free of charge. However, depending on your telephone provider, connection costs may apply.
When does the cost sharing (annual deductible / deductible) begin?
Only during a real consultation after a referral from the medical specialist or doctor at the telemedicine center.
What should I do if I have a chronic illness?
Even if you have chronic illnesses, you should first contact the medical specialist or doctor at the telemedicine center. These will regulate further contact with you. It is possible that longer contact-free periods can be agreed or a standing transfer can be issued for one year.
Do I have to call the Telemedicine Center first for vaccinations?
Yes, even for vaccinations you should first contact the telemedical health advice service.
Who can complete the telemedicine model?
All people who live in Switzerland (official residence).
Can I switch from the traditional model to the telemedicine model?
If you have insured the legal standard version BASIS with a deductible of 300 francs from us, you can switch to this alternative insurance model on the first of each month and from it Benefit from advantages.
Please contact us if you would like to change your existing insurance.
Please contact us if you would like to change your existing insurance.
How and when can I cancel this health insurance?
You can cancel the insurance on December 31st and switch to another health insurance company in Switzerland. The prerequisite is that you do not have any outstanding premium invoices. A one-month notice period applies. The cancellation must be received by Visana no later than the last working day in November.
What franchises are there?
Adults aged 18 and over can choose either the statutory minimum deductible of 300 francs or one of five optional deductibles between 500 and 2500 francs. The higher your deductible, the cheaper your basic insurance premium will be.
Children have no minimum deductible. However, you can also save on premiums with an optional deductible of up to 600 francs.
Details about the annual deductible
Are you still undecided about which franchise makes sense in your case? Our customer advisors will be happy to help you.
Different regulations for cross-border commuters
For cross-border commuters from EU/EFTA countries, the statutory annual deductible for adults is also 300 francs per year. There is no annual deductible for children up to 18 years of age. However, elective deductibles are not permitted for cross-border commuters. You therefore have no option to choose a higher deductible in conjunction with a premium reduction.
Children have no minimum deductible. However, you can also save on premiums with an optional deductible of up to 600 francs.
Details about the annual deductible
Are you still undecided about which franchise makes sense in your case? Our customer advisors will be happy to help you.
Different regulations for cross-border commuters
For cross-border commuters from EU/EFTA countries, the statutory annual deductible for adults is also 300 francs per year. There is no annual deductible for children up to 18 years of age. However, elective deductibles are not permitted for cross-border commuters. You therefore have no option to choose a higher deductible in conjunction with a premium reduction.
How and when can I change my franchise?
You can increase or decrease the deductible on January 1st of the following calendar year. The following deadlines apply:
To reduce (reduce) the franchise: November 30
To increase the franchise: December 31st
Please note that the notification of the change must be received by us by the last working day before the specified date.
Change franchise
Different regulations for cross-border commuters
Voting deductibles are not permitted for cross-border commuters from EU/EFTA countries. You therefore have no option to choose a higher deductible in conjunction with a premium reduction.
To reduce (reduce) the franchise: November 30
To increase the franchise: December 31st
Please note that the notification of the change must be received by us by the last working day before the specified date.
Change franchise
Different regulations for cross-border commuters
Voting deductibles are not permitted for cross-border commuters from EU/EFTA countries. You therefore have no option to choose a higher deductible in conjunction with a premium reduction.
Do I receive a premium reduction?
People whose income and assets justify financial support are entitled to a premium reduction (PV). The premium reduction is regulated differently from canton to canton. Often it only starts when the insured person makes an inquiry. It is therefore worth asking the responsible office in your canton of residence whether you are also entitled to financial support for health insurance.
How can I save on premiums?
There are several ways in which you can save on premiums for basic insurance.
