Switzerland Health Stats

The healthcare model of Switzerland espouses collective coverage through mandatory private insurance. Compared to other European nations, the Swiss are not entitled to socialized medicine. However, the government regulates the insurance industry and defines health services that should be offered. By standards, it is a munificent package that includes doctor’s visits, hospitalization stays, medications, physical therapy, prescribed rehabilitation, and in-home nursing care. This law provides equal access to healthcare. Citizens must purchase a plan from any of the 92 insurance agents. Employers do not provide insurance. Thus, people can look for policies that suit their needs.

An academician from the Harvard Business School referred to Switzerland’s system as outstanding. It is consumer-driven, inexpensive, and distributed fairly. The country’s healthcare system is number one in patient fulfilment, management and prevention of chronic ailments, and quality care. The United Nations say that the population of Switzerland is among the healthiest worldwide. It has the second-highest life expectancy globally while the United States is far below in 38th place. In other words, the highest cost of almost $8,000 per person in healthcare spending annually in the United States does not ensure the best equitable care.

Healthcare in Switzerland is not cheap because it costs nearly $5,350 per resident and increased by approximately 3.5 percent for the past two years. Yet, the analysis made in 2010 by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development revealed that out of 29 countries, Switzerland was among the most effective in achieving more effective health outcomes for money spent. Switzerland has the capacity to restrain spending while managing to keep its population healthy.

Posted on 19 May 2014

jaacosta47

423 Stat enthusiast

When ObamaCare was approved in United States in 2010, making health insurance mandatory for all citizens, the eyes of the world turned to Switzerland. Switzerland, unlike many of her European neighbors, doesn’t have a government-regulated insurance, but instead obligates all Swiss citizens to get a private insurance. The basic cover costs approximately 350 Swiss francs (approximately $400), which equates to an average of 8% of monthly salary (for people with lower incomes a governmental subsidy is available), and covers a standard set of benefits; still in case of medical treatment or hospitalization necessary, the insured has to pay extra. This makes the Swiss health care systems one of the most expensive in the world with 10.86% of GDP dedicated towards health care. The intent of such a system is to promote personal responsibility, and while the Swiss agree it is expensive, it also seems to be effective: healthy life expectancy in Switzerland is third longest in the world (71.1 years for men and 75.3 years for women). Still, the Swiss have a couple of other advantages over less healthy nations of the world: first is it’s geographic location in the Alps- historically, sick children of wealthy families went to Switzerland to get better, especially if affected by respiratory disease. Second, Switzerland has one among the most educated and skilled workforces in the world, earning the 7th highest GDP per capita ($78,925 in 2012) and socioeconomic status is known to have significant effects on health. Lastly, the Swiss eat the most chocolate per person in the world (11.9 kg per person per year in 2012). You be the judge.

Posted on 14 Apr 2014

Luke.Metcalfe

137 Stat enthusiast