Anyone with symptoms should be tested for coronavirus. In this case, the Federal Government will cover the cost of the test. Below is some advice on how to recognise this on your service invoice.
Anyone with symptoms of coronavirus should be tested in accordance with the Federal Government’s strategy. In this case, the invoice is not debited to patients, but to their health insurance provider, which in turn is then reimbursed by the Federal Government.
Whether the invoice needs to be paid by the health insurance provider or the patient can be seen on the service invoice under “Tariff number”. The following tariff numbers apply as of 2 November 2020:
- If the first four figures of the tariff number for the invoice item are 01.01., then the invoice is covered by your health insurance provider.
- If the first four figures of the tariff number are 01.99, then you must pay the invoice yourself. This generally means you were tested without needing to be, i.e. without symptoms or without receiving a notification from the SwissCovid app.
If you have been tested because of symptoms or because of a notification from the SwissCovid app, but have nevertheless received an invoice that you are required to pay, please contact your doctor. Their services and those of the laboratory can then be registered in accordance with the factsheet by the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) and the invoice corrected.
Further information can be found in our FAQs for patients and for insurance providers.
For patients
Frequently asked questions from patients about coronavirus tests
1.
Why am I getting this bill for my coronavirus test? The government is meant to pay for the test. My doctor told me, I didn’t have to take care of the bill.
Answer: The Federal Government assumes the costs of the coronavirus test (PCR test) and of the rapid antigen test if the following criteria are met (see the website of the Federal Office of Public Health):
- You have symptoms of Covid-19.
- You receive a notification from the SwissCovid app that you have been in contact with an infected person.
- The cantonal body or a doctor orders a test because you are in quarantine due to close contact with an infected person.
If you took a coronavirus test (PCR test or rapid antigen test) after 2 November 2020 and the item on the invoice starts with “01.01.”, please send us the invoice so that we can forward it to your insurance provider:
by post to Swisscom (Switzerland) Ltd, Health, Neugasse 18, 8005 Zurich
or by email to info.health@swisscom.com.
If the item on the invoice starts with “01.99.”, you must pay the invoice yourself. If, for the reasons given above, you do not agree with this invoicing approach, please contact your doctor. If necessary, they may adjust the invoice or instruct the laboratory in writing to adjust the invoice.
If you took a coronavirus test (PCR test or rapid antigen test) before 2 November 2020, different invoicing conditions apply. Please contact us by telephone (+41 (0)58 822 22 22, direct inward dialling 2).
Additional information on settling invoice items can be found on the Federal Government’s factsheet.
2.
I submitted the claim form to my health insurance provider, but my insurance company informed me that Swisscom Health had to send the bill directly to them. Please send my invoice to my insurance company.
Answer: If you took a coronavirus test (PCR test or rapid antigen test) after 2 November 2020 and the item on the invoice starts with “01.01.”, please send us the invoice so that we can forward it to your insurance provider:
by post to Swisscom (Switzerland) Ltd, Health, Neugasse 18, 8005 Zurich
or by email to info.health@swisscom.com.
If the item on the invoice starts with “01.99.”, you must pay the invoice yourself. If, for the reasons given above, you do not agree with this invoicing approach, please contact your doctor. If necessary, they may adjust the invoice or instruct the laboratory in writing to adjust the invoice.
If you took a coronavirus test (PCR test or rapid antigen test) before 2 November 2020, different invoicing conditions apply. Please contact us by telephone (+41 (0)58 822 22 22, direct inward dialling 2).
Additional information on settling invoice items can be found on the Federal Government’s factsheet.
3.
I paid the bill and wanted to claim back the amount, but my health insurance provider refused to reimburse it. What do I have to do to get my money back?
Answer: The invoice for a coronavirus test (PCR test or rapid antigen test) will not be reimbursed by insurance providers. Either the invoice is sent directly to the insurance company for payment or you will receive the invoice for payment as the patient.
4.
I had symptoms and had the test done on my doctor’s orders. Now I have to pay the cost myself.
Answer: See the answer to question 1.
For insurance providers
Frequently asked questions from insurance companies about invoices for coronavirus tests
1.
We have received the invoice from our insurance customer and found that the invoice (item and/or tariff) is incorrect.
Answer: If your insurance customer took a test after 2 November 2020 and the item on the invoice begins with “01.01.”, then the invoice was sent to your customer incorrectly. Please return the invoice to us by post (Swisscom (Switzerland) Ltd, Health, Neugasse 18, 8005 Zurich) or email (info.health@swisscom.com) so that we can reissue the invoice correctly.
If the invoice item starts with “01.99.”, the invoice must be paid by your patient. Return the invoice to the patient according to the usual procedure.
You can find additional information on settling invoice items on the Federal Government’s factsheet.
2.
We have received the invoice from you and found that the invoice (item and/or tariff) is incorrect.
Answer: If you have any questions about the bill, please contact your insurance customer’s doctor. You can find additional information on how to offset invoice items on the Federal Government’s factsheet.