The Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) has announced a projected increase of 6 % in the average health insurance premium in Switzerland for the year 2025, bringing the new average premium to CHF 378.70. Premium increases vary by age group: premiums for adults will rise by CHF 25.30 to CHF 449.20, for young adults by CHF 16.10 to CHF 314.10, and for children by CHF 6.50 to CHF 117.90. These premiums reflect the insurers' anticipated costs, which have been reviewed and approved by the FOPH. However, due to a tendency among policyholders to opt for higher deductibles or alternative insurance models in response to rising premiums, the actual premium increase is expected to be 5.5 %.

The rising healthcare costs are attributed to several factors, including new medicinal products and treatment options, as well as an increased demand for healthcare services. Additionally, the shift from inpatient to outpatient care, which is fully covered by the compulsory health care insurance (obligatorische Krankenpflegeversicherung, OKP), results in a higher burden for policyholders. A reform proposal for the joint financing of both outpatient and inpatient services by health insurers and cantons will be put to a vote, aiming to eliminate incentives that currently favor inpatient treatments and to reduce costs for policyholders.

Simultaneously, insurers’ reserves have declined due to higher-than-expected costs in 2023. The Federal Council continues to pursue cost-containment measures, including the reduction of prices of medicinal products and incentives for the use of lower-cost generics. Further savings are expected from several reform packages, with an estimated savings potential of up to CHF 500 million per year.

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