[ad_1]
In the spring it looked like the big premium hit for next year: Health costs had already risen by 5 percent from January to March, and the corona pandemic was just beginning. “At that time we had to fear the worst,” recalls Verena Nold (58), director of the Santésuisse health insurance association. The boxes sounded the alarm.
Because initial experiences have shown it: treating corona patients can cost money and cost up to 120,000 francs per box.
Less than one percent on average
But today the cash registers give the go-ahead. “Premiums for basic insurance will only increase moderately in 2021,” Nold says in an interview with BLICK. “On average, across all premium registers, models and regions, less than one percent.”
For some premium payers, there might even be a zero round in 2021, while others may have to dig deep into their pockets. “At the moment, only the Minister of Health and the BAG know if there are outliers up or down,” Nold said.
Federal Councilor Alain Berset (48) and the Federal Office of Public Health will reveal the secret on Tuesday and announce health insurance premiums for 2021.
Corona doesn’t handle premiums
But even a moderate increase in premiums can create financial bottlenecks. On average, Swiss households have to spend 6.2 percent of their income on health insurance premiums. If there is a reduction in pay, for example due to a short-term job or even loss of employment, this proportion can rapidly increase significantly.
Even more reassuring is that, according to Kassen, it is clear: “Due to the corona pandemic, there is no increase in premiums.” This is a positive sign, because more than two-thirds of the Swiss feared such a thing, as a recently published survey shows.
But this time the health insurance companies will also take advantage of the reserves to cover the crown costs. A recipe that won’t work every year. Especially since no one knows how long the coronavirus will be a burden for the health system, and for us!
More money for pharmacies, less for doctors
Even health insurers don’t know exactly why there was an increase in costs earlier in the year. However, it is clear that Corona has already caused some changes in health costs. This meant that much more money went to pharmacies, also because many had stocked up on drugs before and during the closure. On the other hand, doctors’ offices remained empty because patients feared infection and stayed home.
By order of the Federal Council, hospitals had to cancel many operations during the shutdown. “We have yet to assess whether these included many medically unnecessary interventions,” says Nold. Results are not expected until next summer.
This year, too, health care costs could rise faster than premium income. If not taken sufficiently into account, this can lead to higher premiums in subsequent years. “There is a risk,” explains Nold. That is why even more savings are needed in the healthcare system. Health insurers are primarily targeting drug and laboratory prices, as well as doctor’s fees.
