The Ultimate Guide to Prenatal Registration
Pregnancy is an exciting time full of anticipation and planning. One point that is often overlooked but has immense financial and health implications is health insurance for your unborn child.
Basic vs. Supplementary Insurance
In Switzerland, basic health insurance (KVG) is mandatory. This means: every child must be accepted, and you have up to 3 months after birth to register the baby retroactively with the insurer. There is no health check here.
The critical sticking point, however, is supplementary insurance (VVG). Here, health insurers have freedom of contract. If you register your child for supplementary insurance after birth, the insurer will require a health check. If the baby is born with a birth defect, an illness, or even just a small irregularity, acceptance will most likely be refused. This can cost you thousands of francs later – for example, for orthodontic corrections. With prenatal registration, you completely bypass this risk.
Attention with birth defects
Although disability insurance (IV) pays for recognized birth defects, it often covers only rudimentary treatments. To secure the best medical care for your child without the risk of financial ruin, private supplementary insurance is essential.
Which supplements make sense for babies?
Dental supplementary insurance
Around 60% of all teenagers in Switzerland need braces. Without supplementary insurance, parents bear the costs (often between CHF 8000 and 12000) out of pocket.
Hospital Semi-private / Private
Ensures you a free choice of doctor in the hospital and accommodation in a single or double room. Especially important if you want the best specialists for your child.
Disability capital
Pays out capital if the child becomes severely disabled due to illness or an accident. An invaluable financial cushion for home modifications or therapies.
Alternative medicine
Covers costs for homeopathy, osteopathy, and other gentle healing methods, which are very popular and effective for infants (e.g. for colic).
Deadlines: When is the best time?
We recommend completing prenatal registration between the 5th and 8th month of pregnancy (weeks 20 to 32). Do not wait until the last second, as health insurers sometimes take several weeks to administratively process the application. If the baby is born while the application is still with the insurer, unconditional acceptance could be jeopardized.
By the way, you do not need to know the name or gender of the baby at the time of registration. The policy will initially simply state 'Baby [Your Last Name]'.