r/Switzerland 2d ago

Klinik Switzerland

Hi

Unfortunately I am in a situation were i need to check into a Klinik due to alcoholism and depression.

I’m enquiring if anyone here has been through a similar experience and what was the cost of it.

Are health insurance companies easy to deal with regarding these problems or what is the general consensus.

19 Upvotes

22 comments sorted by

21

u/Iylivarae Bern 2d ago

It's paid by health insurance save for a certain amount for food (I think it's around 30chf/d). The clinics you can go to depend on where you live and if you have additional insurance. It's probably best if you talk to your GP to figure out the details, they can then write a referral to the clinic you choose.

12

u/Lagrein_e_Canederli 2d ago

You will likely need a psychiatrist sending you there (at least that's what I've heard for depression), so usually it's a general practitioner (Hausarzt) who gives you a transfer to a psych (better to have one already in mind and just tell them "I want to go to this one). It might be worth checking with the psychiatrist if they have space for new patients etc.

After a diagnosis, I don't think the insurance can refuse it per se, but they might not pay all clinics (there are some very exclusive ones in CH).

Best of luck for this really important step.

3

u/SkyNo234 Luzern 1d ago

Hausarzt can do it too, it doesn't need to be a psychiatrist.

7

u/Miserable_Gur_5314 2d ago

Go to your Hausarzt and get him to refer you into mental health treatment. This is how it works for the Krankenkasse. It is a disease and therefore covered by your Krankenkasse, so you use up the franchise + max 700/year selbstbehalt

Just started this last month due to depression. He gave me anti-depressant (which helps a lot!) and got me on fast track for psychologic treatment. Should have done it much faster!

4

u/Lanxy St. Gallen 2d ago edited 2d ago

get yourself into an counseling, if you need help setting everything up. For the German speaking part google: Suchtberatung + your town. They help you and can answer specific questions regarding to your individual situation. Imho it‘s helpful to decide which clinic is best for YOUR situation.

If you don‘t need help setting everything up. Call a clinic. They often have a mandatory meeting (Vorgespräch) to check your situation and show you around. You‘ll find clinics here at infodrog they even have a map and you can sort according to your preferences.

others have already answered your question regarding the costs. You can call your health insurance and ask, what they need you to do gett all the ducks in a row before you enter a clinic.

5

u/SnooBooks3514 2d ago

I was a patient of Sanatorium Kilchberg - paid daily fee of 15chf/day, and I have private insurance so everything else was covered … and back then 2500 franchise plus the 700… so I’ve paid some money … but was worth it

3

u/Decent_Confection_21 2d ago

This is the part I am trying to figure out, I pay insurance at 510 per month with a 300 franchise. I have seen from the website that there is a daily fee of 15chf plus cost maxed at 700chf per year after the franchise.

However because a doctor wasn’t available I went direct to the clinic, I don’t know if without a referral letter that I could be in line for a massive bill

2

u/SnooBooks3514 2d ago

The first step is to get your GP on the phone to fax your case to the hospital. After the sanatorium is contacting your insurance, you’ll be waitlisted … if you don’t have additional insurance that’s going to be though, but I think Kilchberg would be a good choice for you. I was there for other reasons but they took care of me.

2

u/SkyNo234 Luzern 1d ago

The clinic will ask your health insurance whether they cover the costs besides franchise. Usually it is a yes, but they could tell you to try therapy first.

They are not allowed to admit you without clarifying and telling you the costs.

5

u/BawangB 1d ago

Hey, im currently staying in a clinic because of same reasons you stated. DM me if you want solid advice. Other than that, go for it, it can change your life for the better like you could not imagine. Thats the case for me being here for only 3 weeks yet. Cheers and dont hesitate to contact me.

3

u/celebral_x Zürich 2d ago

I have not been through that, but you can always call your insurance and just inform yourself. You can also ask the front desk of your doctor or whoever made you go.

If you have the HMO model, it is possible to simply check in, but beware and check before hand with the clinic and the insurance. If you have the family doctor model, ask your insurance, but usually for the insurance to cover it, your family doctor needs to give you a "Verordnung" and that settles it.

2

u/ConfidenceUnited3757 2d ago

For me, health insurance had to specifically approve a stay in a mental health clinic but I believe they will always do this if a doctor orders it.

3

u/emilybabe89 1d ago

I spent a few weeks in a clinic this year after a sui*ide attempt. They offer help if you need it. PDAG for example lets you just walk in and talk to someone and if they deem your case genuine and serious, you WILL be taken care of.

2

u/fayekin 1d ago

just get admitted over your housedoctor, and if its an emergency go to the cantons main clinic, those have emergency stations where u can wait until a spot opens up. Clinics usually help you deal with health insurance, but HI never pays the food amount per day (amount depends on your HI)

2

u/Decent_Confection_21 1d ago

Cheers fayekin 😃

I will find out in a few hours, the food amount is okay, I just don’t want to get stuck with a crazy bill

1

u/fayekin 1d ago

Last time I had a stay at Emergency + 12 weeks it cost between 1.5 - 2.5 k, hope it helps.

-19

u/LightQueasy895 2d ago

it's going to be very costly. Health insurances only cover a tiny portion of it.

I think you're gonna be more depressed after the amount of debt you're getting into.

11

u/googlewizar 2d ago

Yeah, talk the guy out of getting help.

What’s wrong with you?!

3

u/rainbow4enby 2d ago

Sorry - thats blatant misinformation on multiple levels.

Concerning cost & insurance: This is Switzerland! So, unless you go totally "private", or in a clinic that is nowhere on a cantonal list (and/or has no contract with a KVG insurer), it will only cost deductible (lump sum "franchise"), plus 10% until a max of 700 CHF/y and a small daily fee of 15 CHF (for food that you save, was the idea).

Most expensive to society and destructive (on self and inter-personal level) would be NOT getting professional help in time !!

-1

u/LightQueasy895 1d ago

nope, no misinformation at all.. here is a basic breakdown of the prices, for a total of $3620 from his pocket, which to me is a lot of money.

As a person who went through similar situations, dealing with insurances and knowing about the money I have to pay for getting a simple service, it's even more depressive.

Key Considerations:

  1. Basic Health Insurance (KVG): Covers inpatient psychiatric treatment costs at approved clinics, but only up to the standard rates.
  2. Deductible: The patient must pay the first CHF 2,500 annually for healthcare costs.
  3. Retention Fee (Co-Payment): After the deductible, the patient must pay 10% of additional costs, capped at CHF 700/year for adults.

Estimated Costs:

1. Daily Hospitalization Costs:

  • The daily rate for inpatient psychiatric care varies between CHF 400–900, depending on the facility and the canton.
  • Basic insurance covers the cost of standard accommodations in a shared room.

2. Length of Stay:

  • Typical stays for such conditions might range from 2 to 8 weeks.
  • For a 4-week stay (28 days) at CHF 600/day (average):
    • Total cost = CHF 16,800

3. Out-of-Pocket Payment:

  • Deductible: You pay the first CHF 2,500.
  • Co-Payment: After meeting the deductible, you pay 10% of the remaining amount.
    • Remaining cost = CHF 16,800 - CHF 2,500 = CHF 14,300
    • Co-payment = 10% of CHF 14,300 = CHF 1,430, but capped at CHF 700.

4. Final Out-of-Pocket Cost:

  • Deductible = CHF 2,500
  • Co-payment = CHF 700
  • Food for 28 days at CHF 15 per day = 3620
  • Total: CHF 3620

3

u/rainbow4enby 1d ago

Ok, everything correctly stated & calculated.

But the biggest factor (2500.-) is based on your own choice - OP wrote they have a 300.- deductible.

Second: Your calculation applies also for any other in-patient treatment at a hospital; nobody would tell somebody with an appendicitis to stay at home, given the out-of-pocket co-pay...

I guess you really didn't make your statement with this intent - but thats how it sounded to me. I am sorry!

2

u/SkyNo234 Luzern 1d ago

Please delete your comment as it is factually wrong.