Where patients would save on healthcare costs

Today, new health insurance policies are swirling into households. A shock to many, because it will be even more expensive – by an average of 6.6 percent. The Baslers get the best out of it, although their premiums also increase by almost four percent. But the people of Neuchâtel are dealing with almost ten percent.

It’s no wonder that health care costs are the population’s number one concern. This is apparent from a representative study that research institute Sotomo has carried out on behalf of health insurer Santésuisse.

Premiums hurt more than energy costs

When asked which costs gave them more headaches, 59 percent of respondents cited premiums and 41 percent energy costs. In part, the answer was so clear because the survey was launched shortly after Health Minister Alain Berset (50) announced the premiums for the coming year. But also, as Sotomo writes, because healthcare costs are expected to rise further, while energy costs are perceived as temporary as a result of the war in Ukraine.

Given this outlook, an overwhelming majority of 88 percent see an urgent need for political action on premiums. When it comes to electricity prices, it’s only every second person and only a third want to start with fuel costs.

Clear majority for cost savings

The premium pressure is now so great that measures that were previously resolutely rejected are also appreciated. “There are clear majorities for cost savings,” said Sotomo boss Michael Hermann (51).

The idea that doctors and pharmacists should only sell cheaper generic drugs instead of expensive original drugs was the most popular with 94 percent. 88 percent demand that doctors who have repeatedly attracted attention because of their high bills be barred from funding basic health care, effectively ending free choice of doctors. But that seems passé anyway: 71 percent of the respondents are in favor of obliging patients to first consult their GP or the same network of doctors.

That was unthinkable ten years ago, when nearly 69 percent of Swiss voted against the so-called managed care reform, which provided exactly that. “A lot has happened since the vote,” Hermann says. You can see this in the fact that today 75 percent of all insured opt for a GP or HMO model. “Such a mood would probably turn out differently now.”

Premiums mainly bleed the poor

Low earners in particular suffer greatly from the premiums. Households with an income of more than 10,000 francs a month are different. They are more concerned about energy prices. No surprise: While health insurance premiums are per capita — ie everyone has to pay the same amount regardless of how much they earn — energy costs depend on consumption. High earners live in larger apartments or houses, so energy costs are more important.

It’s also not surprising that 80 percent of wealthy households don’t think they’ll have to cut back financially because of health insurance premiums. In contrast to people who live in households with a monthly income of less than 4,000 francs: 81 percent of them assume that they will no longer be able to afford the standard of living they are used to in the future. But medium-sized companies are also preparing to tighten their belts.

Store where it won’t affect quality

Against this background, a clear majority is in favor of extending the premium discount. 64 percent want the scholarship to be raised and more people to benefit from it. 66 percent advocate standardization of the criteria that entitle holders to premium discounts throughout Switzerland. Today there are 26 different systems.

For client Santésuisse, the main message of the study is clear: “Basic insurance should not always be saddled with new services”, says chief economist Christoph Kilchenmann (49). Instead, as the research shows, ineffective services should be eliminated. “Politicians should take this seriously and save where possible without sacrificing quality. For example, in the case of medicines, for which much higher prices are paid in Switzerland than abroad.”