Family doctor, HMO or Telmed: cost-saving models compared

The principle: same benefits, different route

In the standard model, you freely choose which doctor to see for each treatment. Cost-saving models start exactly here: you commit to a first point of contact, namely your chosen family doctor, a group practice or a telephone or digital consultation service. In return, the insurer lowers the premium.

Important to know: the catalogue of benefits remains the same in every model. What basic insurance pays under the KVG is regulated by law and identical at every insurer. With a cost-saving model, you are not buying inferior insurance; you are accepting a set route to treatment. The premium itself also depends on your place of residence, age, deductible and accident cover.

Family doctor model: one fixed contact person

With the family doctor model, you choose a family doctor from the insurer's list of doctors. This person is always your first point of contact for health concerns and refers you to specialists when needed.

The model is particularly suitable if you already have a family doctor and value personal contact with someone who knows your medical history. Before switching, be sure to check whether your doctor is on the list of the insurer you want: the lists differ from insurer to insurer.

HMO: the group practice as first point of contact

In the HMO model, a specific group practice is your first point of contact. Several doctors work there under one roof and coordinate your treatment; for specialist treatment, the practice refers you.

The prerequisite is an HMO practice within easy reach, and the model is mainly widespread in cities and urban areas. If you like the short distances of a group practice and do not need one fixed individual doctor, you will often find a good balance of care and premium discount here.

Telmed: call first or clarify digitally

With the Telmed model, you first contact the insurer's telephone or digital consultation service before seeing a doctor. Medical professionals assess your situation and initiate the next steps, from self-treatment tips to a referral to a doctor or a hospital.

Telmed is suitable for people who rarely see a doctor, travel a lot or like to deal with concerns by telephone or app. The model is not tied to a location: the first point of contact can be reached from anywhere.

Which model suits you?

A brief guide. What always matters is which treatment pathway you can realistically follow in everyday life:

• Family doctor model: you have a regular family doctor and want a contact person who knows you.
• HMO: you live in a city or urban area with a group practice nearby and value several professionals under one roof.
• Telmed: you are flexible, rarely see a doctor and like to clarify concerns by telephone or digitally.
• Standard: you want free choice of doctor at all times, and in return you pay the highest premium.
• In the easyall calculator, you can choose the model for each person and see immediately what the insurers charge where you live. The comparison is free of charge.

The rules: follow the treatment pathway consistently

The discount is tied to the treatment pathway. If you bypass it, for example by going directly to a specialist, you risk the insurer reducing or refusing reimbursement. In the case of repeated breaches, it can even move you to the standard model. Emergencies are exempt, as are, in most cases, gynaecology and ophthalmology. The details are set out in your insurer's model regulations; read them before taking out the policy.

An often overlooked point: if you have the standard model with the ordinary deductible of CHF 300, you can also cancel your basic insurance as of 1 July with three months' notice. When you switch to a cost-saving model, this option of leaving during the year no longer applies; you then switch with ordinary notice as of 1 January.

Deadlines and next steps for 2027

The 2027 premiums have been published since 29 September 2026, and the switching season is under way. Here is how to proceed:

• Prepare now: clarify which model is realistic for you. Is your family doctor on the list? Is there an HMO practice nearby?
• Since 29 September 2026: the 2027 premiums have been published, and now is the time for the definitive comparison for the new year.
• Switching insurer on 1 January 2027: your cancellation must reach your current insurer by the end of November (recommended: by registered mail). If you apply via easyall, the cancellation letter is created automatically; easy, our AI guide, answers questions about the model directly in the calculator.
• Changing model with your own insurer, without switching insurer at all: from the standard model you can move to a cost-saving model at any time (Art. 100 para. 2 KVV). A switch to a model with fewer restrictions (e.g. back to standard) applies from 1 January and must be reported by the end of November (Art. 100 para. 3 KVV).
• Acceptance into basic insurance is guaranteed, so switching does not create a gap in cover.