Health Insurance Consulting: Why You Should Get Free Help (And What You Need to Look Out For)

Premiums keep rising and rising, yet very few Swiss residents seek advice. But there are free offers available that can save you hundreds of francs. We'll show you the difference between independent consulting, comparison portals, and direct purchase – and why wefox, in particular, is an exciting option.

465 francs a month – and you just keep paying?

Let’s be honest: when the new health insurance premiums are announced in autumn, half of Switzerland curses. In 2026, too, premiums rose by an average of 4.4 percent. For adults, this means an average monthly premium of 465.30 francs – 18.50 francs more than the previous year. The Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) officially confirmed this in September 2025.

The bitter truth: after the massive increases of previous years – 8.7 percent for 2024, 6 percent for 2025 – the 4.4 percent almost feels like a relief. Almost. Because a family of four now pays several hundred francs more per year. And yet, very few people change their health insurance. Why? Because the whole process is considered complicated. Because no one feels like dealing with paperwork. And because many simply don't know which health insurance is the right one for them.

Exactly here is where health insurance consulting comes into play. And yes: in many cases, it is completely free of charge.

Basic insurance: Same coverage, different prices – how can that be?

Before we talk about consulting, briefly the basics. Because many people don't know this: in basic insurance, the benefits are identical across all health insurers. This is legally determined in the Health Insurance Act (KVG). Whether you are insured with the largest health insurance company in the country or a small regional provider, you get exactly the same basic care.

What differs are the premiums. And these can vary massively depending on the canton of residence, chosen model, and franchise (deductible). There are worlds between the cheapest and the most expensive canton: in Zug, you pay an average of around 312 francs per month in 2026, while in Geneva it's 586 francs.

Added to this is the choice of insurance model, and this is where it gets exciting. In Switzerland, there are four main health insurance models:

• The Standard model is the classic variant. You have completely free choice of doctor and can go directly to a specialist at any time. Sounds great – but it is the most expensive option.

• The Family Doctor (Hausarzt) model works in such a way that you always visit your family doctor first when you have health complaints. They then coordinate everything else. This saves you around 20 percent compared to the standard model.

• With the Telmed model, you first call a telemedicine hotline when you have complaints. Medical professionals advise you and, if necessary, refer you to the right doctor. Savings: up to 27 percent compared to the standard premium. Providers like CSS, Helsana, and Groupe Mutuel offer Telmed.

• The HMO model requires you to always visit a group practice first. There, various specialists work together under one roof. The advantage: short distances, coordinated treatment. The disadvantage: restricted choice of doctor. In return, you save up to 25 percent on the premium.

Sounds complicated? It is, at least without help. And that's exactly why a good consulting service pays off.

Three paths to a new health insurance: What are the differences?

If you want to change your health insurance, you basically have three options. And they differ more than you might think.

• Path 1: Comparison portals – fast, but superficial Portals like Comparis, bonus.ch, or the FOPH's official premium calculator on priminfo.ch show you at a glance which insurer is cheapest in your region. You enter your zip code, age, franchise, and model, and you get a ranking. The problem: These portals primarily compare prices. They can't tell you which health insurance model fits your personal life situation. Are you someone who rarely goes to the doctor? Then a high franchise with a Telmed model might be spot on. Do you have a chronic illness and regularly need specialists? Then the standard model with free choice of doctor might be better after all, even if it's more expensive. No algorithm answers these questions. For that, you need someone who listens.

• Path 2: Direct purchase from the insurer – convenient, but one-sided You can, of course, also go directly to the website of your desired insurer and sign up there. Some insurers offer their own switching services, for example, AXA's health insurance switching service for existing supplementary insurance customers. It is free of charge and AXA takes care of the formalities. The catch: If you sign up directly with an insurer or a single provider, logically, you only get to see their offer. That's like visiting only one single dealer when buying a car and then saying: "This works." Maybe you're lucky, but maybe you're paying too much.

• Path 3: Independent consulting – personal and comprehensive And here is where it gets really interesting. Independent consulting doesn't just compare prices, but analyzes your entire insurance situation. Which health insurance is best for me? Does the Telmed model fit my everyday life? Do I really need supplementary insurance for alternative medicine? And is a change of franchise worth it? An independent consultant does not work for a single health insurer, but keeps an eye on the entire market. The consulting offer typically includes: analyzing your current situation, comparing all relevant providers, recommending the right model, and often handling the complete changeover process, including cancellation. And the best part: With many providers, this switching service is free.

Why wefox is an exciting option

One of these independent providers is wefox. In recent years, our company has established itself as a digital platform for insurance consulting and today offers one of the most comprehensive consulting services in the field of health insurance.

What distinguishes wefox from pure comparison portals: you don't just get a price list, but personal advice from experts. They compare premiums and benefits of all relevant health insurers in Switzerland for you, and do so independently, transparently, and free of charge. Whether it's basic insurance or supplementary insurance: wefox advises you personally, takes care of all the paperwork, and ensures that you get the best solution without any complications.

It's not just about the cheapest price. The consultants look at which of the various health insurance models – whether standard model, family doctor, HMO, or Telmed – really fits your life. Are you on the go a lot and need maximum flexibility? Or do you only go for a check-up once a year anyway and could easily save several hundred francs a year with a Telmed model?

Particularly practical: wefox takes over the entire processing of the health insurance switch free of charge. You don't have to worry about cancellation letters, deadlines, or formalities yourself. The motto: as uncomplicated as possible.

What you need to look out for in health insurance consulting

Not all consulting is equally good. Before you decide on a consulting offer, you should pay attention to a few things:

• Check independence. Does the consultant ask about your needs or do they immediately push a specific product on you? A good consultant does not work on behalf of a single insurance company, but has access to the entire market. Feel free to ask directly: "How many insurers do you work with?"

• Personal advice instead of just an online form. An algorithm cannot ask follow-up questions. Make sure you have the opportunity for a personal conversation – by phone, by video, or on-site. Especially if you are unsure which health insurance suits you, a personal exchange is worth its weight in gold.

• Don't forget supplementary insurance. Many focus only on basic insurance. Yet, the greatest savings potential often lies in supplementary insurance, or vice versa: many are over-insured without knowing it. According to FINMA, around 63 percent of the Swiss population is over-insured or even double-insured. A comprehensive consulting offer covers both.

• Pay attention to deadlines. If you want to change your basic insurance, you must cancel by November 30th at the latest. The FOPH recommends sending the written cancellation by registered mail or A-Post Plus by November 15th at the latest. If you use a free switching service, you have the advantage here that the provider takes care of the timely processing.

The most important questions – briefly answered

• Do I lose benefits if I change my health insurance? No. In basic insurance, the benefits are legally identical across all insurers. You lose nothing.

• Can a new insurer reject me? For basic insurance: No. Every health insurance company must accept you, regardless of your state of health. For supplementary insurance, it looks different: a health check can be required here.

• How often can I switch? You can change your basic insurance every year on January 1st, provided you cancel on time.

• Which health insurance is the largest in Switzerland? The largest health insurers, measured by the number of insured persons, are insurers like CSS, Helsana, and Groupe Mutuel. But: size alone says nothing about quality or price. The question "Which one fits me?" is more important than the question about the largest health insurance.

  
  

Get help – it costs you nothing

The Swiss health insurance landscape is complex. 52 insurers, different health insurance models, cantonal differences, franchise options – it's easy to lose track. And exactly for that reason, it's not a weakness to get help. On the contrary: it's smart.

Whether you choose wefox or another independent consultant, what's important is that you don't just swallow the premium increase every year without looking for alternatives. A health insurance switch is free, and the switching service with most independent consultants is too.

Take half an hour, get advice, and find out which health insurance really fits your life. Your wallet will thank you.

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