Alternative treatment methods: what CSS pays
CSS pays towards alternative medicine and methods used in complementary therapy. Is the cost of your treatment covered? myCSS lets you see right away what CSS pays.
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What are alternative treatment methods?
Whether it’s acupuncture for migraines, kinesiology for digestive problems or shiatsu as part of burnout recovery treatment: Natural therapies are popular with many patients as an effective complement to conventional medicine. They enable a holistic approach to treating medical conditions and relieving complaints.
What does basic insurance pay?
Mandatory basic insurance doesn’t pay for many complementary treatment methods.
Basic insurance pays if:
- the method is one of the following: acupuncture, anthroposophic medicine, Chinese medicine, homeopathy or phytotherapy.
- the doctor performing the treatment is recognised by CSS.
- the doctor has a relevant qualification (FMH specialist title) in the particular method.
Important: You pay the deductible and retention fee from your own pocket.
What does supplementary insurance pay?
Supplementary insurance gives you more freedom in choosing your treatment.
Conditions under which supplementary insurance pays:
- You have the right kind of insurance.
- The alternative treatment method is recognised by CSS and appears on the list of methods.
- The therapist is recognised by CSS.
Share paid per type of supplementary insurance
| Insurance | Share paid |
|---|---|
| myFlex Economy Alternative Insurance | 75%, max. CHF 1,000 per calendar year for outpatient/inpatient treatment and medication, or 75%, max. CHF 200 per calendar year for treatments with restricted cover. The maximum price is taken into account. |
| myFlex Balance Alternative Insurance | 75%, max. CHF 3,000 per calendar year for outpatient/inpatient treatment and medication, or 75%, max. CHF 600 per calendar year for treatments with restricted cover. The maximum price is taken into account. |
| myFlex Premium Alternative Insurance | 75%, max. CHF 10,000 per calendar year for outpatient/inpatient treatment and medication, or 75%, max. CHF 2,000 per calendar year for treatments with restricted cover. The maximum price is taken into account. |
| Alternative Insurance 2001 | Max. CHF 10,000 per calendar year for alternative treatment methods. 20% retention fee, CHF 300 deductible for adults. The maximum price is taken into account. |
| Health Insurance Livo Smart | 50%, max. CHF 10,000 per calendar year, deductible: CHF 300 per calendar year (no deductible up to age 18). The maximum price is taken into account. |
| Health Insurance Livo Top (Balance & Premium) | 75%, max. CHF 10,000 per calendar year, deductible: CHF 300 per calendar year (no deductible up to age 18). The maximum price is taken into account. |
Maximum price per method / therapist
CSS pays a maximum amount – or maximum price – for each five minutes of treatment. If the treatment costs are higher, you pay the difference out of your own pocket. More on maximum price
What alternative treatment methods are recognised under supplementary insurance?
All methods recognised by CSS are included on the list of methods for each type of insurance. If your treatment method is on the list, CSS will pay part of the costs.
What therapists are recognised under supplementary insurance?
CSS recognises therapists who are included in the Register of Empirical Medicine (EMR) and – if necessary – have a licence to practice. The method in question must also feature on the CSS list of methods.
Search for and find a therapist
You don’t need to worry about the details: Our therapist search function will show you everyone recognised by CSS.
What is a maximum price?
CSS has set a maximum price for each method. How high it is depends on the method and the therapist’s qualifications. CSS pays no more than this maximum price for each five minutes of treatment.
How the maximum price works
CSS shares in the cost of your treatment up to the specified maximum price. If your therapist charges more, you have to pay the difference yourself.
Example: Maximum price for classic massage
| Classic massage | Price per 5minutes | Time limit |
|---|---|---|
| Therapist with a regulated professional qualification | CHF 12.00 | 60 min. per treatment |
| Therapist without a regulated professional qualification | CHF 10.00 | 60 min. per treatment |
Download all maximum prices
FAQs
EMR stands for ErfahrungsMedizinisches Register, the Register of Empirical Medicine. Qualified therapists have extensive professional skills, invest in continuing professional development and are subject to regular quality assessments.
Yes. Maximum prices and time limits apply to therapies such as classical massage, osteopathy, homeopathy, acupuncture and craniosacral therapy.
These measures help to keep premiums affordable in the long term and to make therapeutic treatments efficient. Therapists may charge more than the CSS maximum price, but costs will only be reimbursed up to this limit. Insured persons must pay the difference out of their own pocket.
There are various reasons why costs are not assumed. CSS may refuse benefits for the following reasons:
- The therapist is not included on the EMR register for the method.
- The method is not included in the CSS list of methods.
- Tariff 590 was not used and/or was not applied properly.
- Billing was not done using suitable software.
- The CSS guidelines were not followed.
- The therapist is not or no longer recognised by CSS (excluded from the positive list).
- The General Insurance Conditions (GIC) for the individual product do not allow payment by CSS (the benefit in question is not included in the cover).
No. The services may be provided without a prescription. As long as the conditions are met, CSS will pay.
