| Switzerland does not have a centralized health
care system. Individual cantons are responsible for determining levels
of service and administering and delivering health care services. The private
sector also plays a significant role in providing health services.
Most hospitals in Switzerland are public
institutions that receive public funding. There are also about 100 private
clinics that receive little or no public funding. Non-hospital health care
facilities include spas, homes for the elderly, institutions for those
with addictions or disabilities, convalescent and dietetic clinics, and
preventive and psycho-social treatment centres. Home care is also an important
component of the Swiss health care system. |
|
| Hospitals and medical home care services are highly
subsidized by the municipalities and cantons. The purchase of health insurance
is compulsory for all Swiss citizens. Subsidies are available for those
with low incomes. Approximately 70% of the cost of a visit to a physician
is covered by insurance and 30% by the patient. Nearly all dental costs
are directly paid by individuals. As a result, most Swiss families spend
about 10% of their budget on doctors, dentists, health insurance and medicine.
The Swiss social welfare system for the poor includes subsidized health
care, old age pensions and long-term nursing care. |
|
Did you know? |
| Switzerland
is home to many international organizations, such as the World Health Organization
(WHO), the International Red Cross and UNICEF. |
|
|
Alternative forms of health care, including acupuncture,
homeopathy and Shiatsu massage are popular. People can pay an additional
insurance fee to cover these services.
|
Did you know? |
| The
Swiss have one of the highest life expectancies in the world: 76 years
for men and 82 years for women. The leading causes of death are cancer
and cardiovascular diseases. |
|
|
|