From April 2026, medical services provided by santé24 will be invoiced according to Tardoc
The Tardoc tariff system now applies to outpatient medical services in Switzerland. From 1 April, this will include the santé24 online practice. Customers who use its services will be invoiced in the same way as if they had visited a GP. However, these services remain free of charge for all SWICA customers with an alternative basic insurance model. Below you will find answers to all the key questions about this change.
Introduction and reasons behind the change
santé24 is evolving into a fully fledged online practice offering a comprehensive range of medical services. By switching to Tardoc, charges for medical services will in future be invoiced in accordance with the uniform national outpatient tariff system. This reflects the medical nature of the services and creates transparency and comparability. At the same time, SWICA is strengthening digital healthcare.
The range of services offered by santé24 has grown considerably over the last few years. Doctors now provide comprehensive medical services comparable to those available in a bricks-and-mortar doctor’s surgery. With the introduction of Tardoc, these services can be invoiced correctly and in accordance with the law. SWICA will continue to cover the costs for customers with alternative basic insurance models (Favorit).
Costs & co-payment
SWICA specifically promotes alternative insurance models, as they enable efficient, sustainable provision. That is why SWICA covers the co-payment for santé24 medical services for customers with these models. Although customers will now receive a benefit statement, this will show an amount of 0 francs. The legal basis for this is Art. 99 para. 2 KVV. Multi-appointment services such as psychotherapy are excluded.
Customers with a free choice of doctor benefit from unrestricted access to healthcare. From April 2026, medical services provided by from santé24 will be invoiced in accordance with Tardoc in the same way as other outpatient services. Excesses and deductibles therefore apply. However, many other santé24 services will continue to be free of charge for customers with a free choice of doctor.
Where customers have taken out their basic insurance with a different health insurer, the provisions of that insurer apply. Invoices for medical services provided by santé24 are billed to the responsible health insurer, which decides whether to cover the costs based on the insurance model, excess and deductible. Any costs arising are passed on to the customer.
Cross-border commuters and customers from the Principality of Liechtenstein are subject to the rules of their respective basic insurance. Medical services provided by santé24 are invoiced in accordance with Tardoc and submitted to the relevant insurance company.
Customers are only required to make co-payments for medical advice and treatment provided by santé24. Other services such as health advice, finding a doctor or therapist, and travel and vaccination advice will remain free of charge.
The amount of the co-payment depends on your excess and the deductible of your basic insurance. The usual statutory provisions of basic insurance apply. The actual amount may vary depending on the extent of the medical services provided.
Yes, your co-payment depends on your individual excess and deductible. If you have already paid the excess, you will only have to pay the deductible. Invoices for SWICA customers are prepared in accordance with the statutory provisions of basic insurance.
Yes, SWICA covers the full co-payment for customers with alternative insurance models (Favorit models). That excludes some specific specialised services such as psychotherapy. However, many non-medical services provided by santé24 remain free of charge for all customers.
The costs cannot be determined precisely in advance, as they are dependent on the medical expenditure involved and on the duration of the consultation. The exact tariffs are set out in the Tardoc national outpatient tariff system. This puts the cost of a 20-minute medical consultation at around 70 francs.
Medical services such as medical assessments, advice, documentation and necessary callbacks are chargeable. Invoicing is based on the actual medical expenditure involved. Not every contact will automatically result in a charge.
Only medical services are chargeable. General information and non-medical services remain free of charge.
The invoicing is based on the same tariff system used by a physical doctor’s surgery. The only difference is that the consultation takes place digitally. The medical expenditure is classed as equivalent.
No, medical triage by santé24’s medical experts remains free of charge whatever your insurance cover.
Callbacks and further medical investigations involving a santé24 doctor are considered medical services. The additional expenditure can be reflected in the invoice. This ensures that the medical care is complete and of high quality.
Invoices and transparency
Invoices are issued after the medical services have been provided. As a rule, this happens promptly via your basic insurance. With alternative models, you will receive an invoice for an amount of 0 francs.
The invoice sets out the services provided in a transparent and comprehensible format. It contains information on the type of service, the duration and the amount charged. This makes it clear what costs have been incurred.
Invoicing is based on the Tardoc outpatient tariff system. As a rule, invoices are sent directly to the responsible basic insurance company, which reviews what costs are covered based on your chosen insurance model.
The amount depends on the medical expenditure involved in each case. The duration, complexity and investigations necessary may vary. As a result, the amounts charged may also differ.
The chargeable duration includes not only the consultation itself but also the preparation and follow-up. This includes medical assessment, documentation and any necessary clarifications. These activities also form part of the medical services and are therefore transparently disclosed and invoiced.
If you have any questions about an invoice, please contact your SWICA agency. They will be happy to help and explain your invoice to you.
- santé24 sends the invoice to Medidata, which automatically processes settlement with the health insurer responsible. Once the invoice run is triggered, customers receive an email notifying them that a patient copy of the benefits received is available. If this isn't accessed via the link, a copy of the invoice showing the benefits is sent to you by post for your information.
- In the case of Favorit models, SWICA covers the full co-payment and provides a benefit statement showing the amount of 0 francs. From this point onwards, the invoice will be visible in the mySWICA app.
Contact and special cases
Invoicing takes place independently of the chosen contact channel. The rules are the same as for telephone or other digital consultations. Using the Benecura app for an initial medical assessment remains free of charge.
Although santé24 is available 24 hours a day, it is not intended for the treatment of acute medical emergencies. In such cases, please call the emergency services or visit an emergency medical centre. Medical services provided outside of regular hours will be charged in accordance with the applicable tariffs.
santé24 adheres strictly to statutory data protection provisions. Your health data is processed securely and used exclusively for medical and invoicing purposes. Protecting your data is our top priority. For more information on this, visit: Data Privacy Statement
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