Krankenkasse letter explained in English
Health insurance. Your health insurance company. Basic health insurance is required by law for everyone who lives in Switzerland.
Letters you may get
- Prämienrechnung — your monthly premium bill
- Mahnung — you missed a premium payment
- Leistungsabrechnung — what they paid for your doctor and what you pay yourself
- Versicherungspolice — your policy for next year, with the new premium
What to do
- You must take basic insurance within 3 months after you arrive in Switzerland.
- To change your basic insurance for next year, your notice must reach them by 30 November. You can’t change while you still owe them premiums.
- Find the deadline. Look for “Frist”, “bis zum”, “innert”.
- Write the reference number from the letter on everything you send back, and keep copies.
- If you disagree with a decision, object in writing before the deadline (“Einsprache”, “Rechtsvorschlag”, “Rekurs”, “Beschwerde”). See the template.
Words you may see
- Prämie
- Premium. The amount you pay for insurance, usually every month.
- Mahnung
- Payment reminder. You paid late or not at all.
Questions
What is the Krankenkasse?
Health insurance. Your health insurance company. Basic health insurance is required by law for everyone who lives in Switzerland.
How long do I have to answer a letter from the Krankenkasse?
It depends on the letter. Look for words like “Frist”, “bis zum”, “innert” — they mark the deadline. In Switzerland, a legal deadline starts the day after you receive the letter. A registered letter you don’t collect usually counts as delivered on the 7th day after the collection notice (Abholungseinladung). To object, the letter usually names the way to do it (“Einsprache”, “Rechtsvorschlag”, “Rekurs”, “Beschwerde”).
Can I read a Krankenkasse letter in English?
Yes. Take a photo of the letter with Briefly. It explains the letter in plain English, finds the deadline and the amount, and gives you ready-made replies in German. Your letter never leaves your device.
Other offices in Switzerland
Kantonales Steueramt / Steuerverwaltung · Gemeindesteueramt · RAV (Regionales Arbeitsvermittlungszentrum) · Arbeitslosenkasse · Migrationsamt · Einwohnerkontrolle / Einwohneramt · Serafe AG · Betreibungsamt