“No longer acceptable”: Premium payers are not allowed to pay for health insurance advertisements

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Now it’s getting really expensive. The average health insurance premium will increase by 8.7 percent this year. Many Blick readers find advertising for health insurers an eyesore. Because this costs money – which in turn affects the premiums. In 2022, these advertising costs amounted to almost 73 million francs. All this is completely legal: the Health Insurance Act (KVG) does not prohibit advertising and sponsorship with money from basic insurance.

This irritates state councilor Baptiste Hurni (57). Citizens should see “their bonuses invested in spots, posters and messages on big screens,” he wrote in a 2022 proposal aimed at changing the controversial practice. “At a time when many households are forced to save and worry about the situation at the end of the month, this waste of money on the backs of the insured is no longer acceptable.”

“Offers no added value”

Now the health politicians in the National Council agree: in the future they want to ban health insurers from financing advertising for basic insurance with our premium money. The proposal was approved by 12 votes to 12 with the casting vote of President Barbara Gysi (59, SP).

“The majority of the committee points out that basic insurance is mandatory and that advertising serves neither prevention nor health promotion and therefore does not provide any added value,” states a press release. She considers the current practice “no longer acceptable” given the continuously rising premiums.

Advertising for additional insurance remains possible

Now the health politicians in the Council of States must think about the proposal. If they also agree, the Health Committee of the National Council will draw up a bill.

If this law is passed, only compulsory health insurance would be affected. Health insurers will probably continue to advertise supplementary insurance. And it is doubtful whether premiums will fall due to the advertising ban alone: ​​after all, costs for health insurers are rising mainly due to more doctor visits, more outpatient hospital services and more expensive medicines. (brother)

Source:Blick