Power of attorney at CSS
Does another person or an authority help you deal with insurance? Or do you take care of a child or relative? In certain cases, you’ll need a power of attorney. Grant power of attorney.
Grant power of attorney
What is a power of attorney?
A power of attorney allows you to transfer certain insurance-related tasks to another person – in a way that is simple, secure and under your control. You decide whether someone else may speak to CSS, receive documents or make changes to your insurance.
Useful information and tips
- A power of attorney remains valid until it is cancelled in writing.
- You can have more than one valid power of attorney.
- Always provide your insurance number.
- If an authority previously held the power of attorney, we will need official confirmation that it has been revoked.
Why a power of attorney with CSS makes sense
At CSS you can register one or more powers of attorney. This creates clarity whenever someone needs to act on your behalf. To manage insurance matters efficiently, CSS works on the basis of different contractual roles.
Good to know: A power of attorney is not valid for myCSS.
Children from the age of 12
In healthcare, children are considered partly capable of judgement from the age of 12. This means they can have a say in who accesses their data. Without their consent, information often cannot be shared – not even with parents. A power of attorney sets out clear rules in these situations.
Support in later life
If another person – such as a parent or partner – is to support you in everyday matters, they will need a power of attorney from you in order to speak with CSS. Without one, we cannot provide any information – even in urgent cases.
Spouses and trusted persons
A spouse, partner, friend, neighbour or any trusted person can take on tasks with a power of attorney – for example, if you are in hospital or need support in daily life.
Important: Even if you are married, no information can be given without a power of attorney. It ensures your spouse can speak with CSS in an emergency. Without one, you may only make changes to basic insurance or update an address.
Granting a power of attorney
You can grant a power of attorney at any time – quickly online or by post.
Receiving a power of attorney
Do you need to represent someone before CSS? Then you’ll need a valid power of attorney. Print out the form, have it completed and signed by the insured person.
Send it by post to: CSS, Leistungsprüfung, Postfach 2550, 6002 Luzern
Amending or revoking a power of attorney
You can change or cancel your power of attorney at any time. Here’s how:
Amendment: Complete a new power of attorney form and send it to us. A new power of attorney does not replace any existing ones.
Revocation: Send us written confirmation if you wish to revoke or cancel a power of attorney.
Frequently Asked Questions
In short: written permission for someone else to speak or act before CSS on your behalf. They may also receive your post from CSS.
Yes, in some cases. From the age of 12, children are considered partly capable of judgement in healthcare matters. Without a power of attorney, we often cannot provide information – not even to parents.
Protecting personal data is the top priority. Without a power of attorney, we cannot share information or make changes.
No, a power of attorney is not valid for the myCSS online portal.
No, advance healthcare directives are not stored at CSS. Keep the original somewhere easily accessible to your trusted person. Provide copies to this person and to your doctors. Carry a card with you indicating that you have an advance healthcare directive and take the directive with you if you go into hospital or travel. There are also organisations that can store directives securely on your behalf.
Social services, KESB or guardians
Official bodies such as the social services, KESB or a court-appointed guardian also need a power of attorney to speak to CSS on behalf of the insured person – even if they provide support or cover costs. Authorities may refer to this as an assignment of rights.