Personal support from a single source: under the Swiss general practitioner model, your GP is always your first point of contact. With this alternative insurance model, you save noticeably on premiums.
You receive direct access to a verified GP practice. Your doctor is familiar with your medical history and will provide you with personal support that you can trust.
Your practice will coordinate all treatments for you. This will help you avoid duplicate examinations and save time and money.
Call us around the clock: our telemedicine partner Medi24 will advise you immediately and free of charge on 0800 100 008.
Pay significantly less for your health insurance: depending on your place of residence and choice of doctor, you can save between 9% and 17% compared to the standard model. You can see the exact discount and your premium in the premium calculator.
Enter your date of birth and place of residence in the premium calculator. Then select a practice from our list of doctors.
If you have any health problems, your first port of call must always be your chosen GP practice.
Exceptions: you can go straight to a specialist in an emergency and for gynaecological check-ups, pregnancy check-ups, dental treatment and glasses adjustments. Notify your GP practice after emergency treatment, including emergency treatment abroad.
Your GP determines the next steps and, if necessary, will refer you to a specialist, therapist or hospital.
If you go directly to a specialist without a referral, you will breach your obligations under the general practitioner model. Helsana can then reassign you to the BASIS standard model. This will result in you losing your premium discount.
When you take out health insurance under the general practitioner model, select a doctor or HMO group practice from our list of doctors. If your current general practitioner is on the list of doctors, they will remain your contact person.
At Helsana, there is no difference between the general practitioner model and the HMO. HMO stands for Health Maintenance Organisation. These are group practices in which GPs, specialists and therapists work together. Nothing will change for you: you can also choose your personal GP in the HMO centre as your first point of contact. Our list of doctors covers both HMO and GP practices. Simply choose the doctor you trust.
The practice usually arranges for someone to cover for holidays or other absences. If a substitute has not been arranged or if there are no appointments available, go to a general practitioner of your choice. Let your practice know as soon as it’s open again.
Tip: call the independent Medi24 Telemedicine Centre on 0800 100 008 at any time for medical advice – it’s free of charge.
In an emergency: contact an emergency practice or hospital immediately. Then let your GP practice know about your emergency treatment.
Yes, under the general practitioner model it is possible to change GP with effect from the following month, either if you move home or for other reasons. In the event of repeated changes of GP or a change to a different network of doctors (e.g. from the mediX general practitioner model to xundart), a written request stating your reasons is required.
Changing your GP under the general practitioner model – here’s what to do:
New premium?
If you change your GP under the general practitioner model, your premium may change, as the networks of doctors have different discount levels: R1, R2, R3 or R4. You can see your new premium for your choice of GP in the premium calculator.
When you opt for BeneFit PLUS General Practitioner, you agree to always contact your chosen GP or HMO group practice first in the event of a health problem. If you need to see a specialist, your GP will refer you. If you go without a referral, you will be in breach of your obligations under the general practitioner model. We can then transfer you to the BASIS standard model. This will mean you lose the discount on your basic insurance premium and the advantages of the general practitioner model.
Exception: in an emergency, you can visit another doctor or an emergency centre near you even though you are insured under the general practitioner model. This also applies to emergencies abroad. Report the emergency treatment to your GP afterwards.
Tip: use our free BetterDoc specialist search. This way, you can look for a suitable specialist yourself and suggest them to your doctor. BetterDoc also supports you if you are unsure about ongoing treatment.
Under the general practitioner model, the following exceptions apply. In these cases, you can consult a specialist directly – without a referral from your GP practice:
You can switch from the general practitioner model with effect from 1 January of the following year – either to another alternative insurance model (BeneFit PLUS Telmed, Flexmed or PREMED-24) or to BASIS, the standard basic insurance. Mid-year changes to or cancellations of the general practitioner model are not possible.
Would you like to change your general practitioner model? Write to us via myHelsana or submit your cancellation of the general practitioner model by 30 November. It must reach us by the last working day in November at the latest.
Are you switching to another health insurance company? In that case, we need your proof of insurance from your new insurer.
Exception: if you move abroad, you may cancel the general practitioner model in any month. Send us the deregistration confirmation from your municipality.
Please note that your GP practice cannot provide any information about cost coverage for emergencies or planned treatments abroad. Call Helsana.
BeneFit PLUS General Practitioner is very popular with our customers. With Helsana, you have guaranteed access to a practice of verified quality and save on premiums. The only disadvantage: if you have any health questions, your first port of call must always be your chosen GP practice. You need a referral for specialists. This prevents duplicate examinations and saves you time and money. The general practitioner model is therefore cheaper than the BASIS standard model, which gives you a free choice of doctor. Decide which is right for you – we have the right insurance model for every need.
Everyone who lives in Switzerland within the service area of the selected network of doctors. Use our general practitioner search function to find out where a general practitioner model is available near you.
If you have a chronic illness, your first point of contact is your GP or group practice. They will determine your individual course of treatment. If necessary, they will refer you to a specialist.
These are the different discount levels: R1 is the highest, R4 the lowest. The level affects your premium – as does your place of residence, age and deductible. In the premium calculator, you can see the discount level when searching for a doctor. Helsana has collaboration contracts with level R1, R2 and R3 doctors’ offices. These doctors actively take responsibility, coordinate treatment and referrals and ensure better quality. Discount level R4 practices do not have contracts with Helsana.
Compare the different advantages and premiums of the five types of basic insurance from Helsana.
Expand your cover with the right supplementary insurance. Which benefits are important to you?
Expand your cover with the right supplementary insurance. Which benefits are important to you?
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