
Basic insurance with an initial assessment from a pharmacy or santé24
Under MEDPHARM basic insurance you first contact a SWICA partner pharmacy or the santé24 telemedicine service.
Benefits included in basic insurance
The various basic insurance models all offer the same benefits. The only difference between the models is the choice of first point of contact for medical questions. The benefits provided under basic insurance include:
- Conventional medical treatment and complementary medicine
- Hospital stays in the general ward
- Emergency transport and search and rescue operations
- Treatment abroad in emergencies
How the pharmacy model works
Under the
- Possible to get a rapid initial medical opinion without an appointment at a SWICA partner pharmacy
- If the SWICA partner pharmacy or santé24 cannot resolve the problem conclusively, you consult a doctor from the comprehensive MEDPHARM directory
- You get a discount of up to 23,5% on your premium (learn more). Use our premium calculator for an easy way to compare premiums for SWICA basic insurance plans and your potential savings: go to premium calculator.
To SWICA's directories

Frequently asked questions about the pharmacy model
With the pharmacy model you get an attractive discount on your premiums and the same benefits as under the STANDARD basic insurance. The only difference is the choice of contact point: under the pharmacy model, for medical matters you always contact a SWICA partner pharmacy first or call the santé24 telemedicine service on +41 44 404 86 86.
- In emergencies
- Appointments with an eye doctor, gynaecologist or paediatrician from the MEDPHARM directory
- Before receiving treatments in connection with consultations as agreed on with a SWICA partner pharmacy or santé24 if administered by a provider from the MEDPHARM directory
- When getting treatment during a temporary stay abroad
If you're advised by a MEDPHARM pharmacy without a doctor's prescription, you must pay for the medicine yourself. If the pharmacist gives you advice using the NetCare algorithms, you can request a prescription in a teleconsultation with Medgate. If the Medgate doctor decides to make out a prescription from the specialities list (SL), this will be billed under basic insurance less the annual excess and deductible.
If possible, please always contact santé24 first on +41 44 404 86 86, around the clock. The doctors and medical staff at santé24 will be glad to advise you around the clock. In an emergency you can go directly to an emergency centre or hospital.
When you switch from the STANDARD basic insurance model to the pharmacy model, SWICA gives you a discount on your premium. This depends on where you live, your age and your chosen excess. You can see the possible premium discount for you directly in our premium calculator:
Calculate your premium now
Calculate your premium now
You can benefit from attractive premium discounts by choosing an alternative basic insurance model. By increasing the excess you can cut your premiums even further. SWICA also offers family discounts for children and young people.
Discover all the ways to optimise your premium
You can also benefit from lower co-payments if you have also taken out any supplementary insurance with SWICA. SWICA is the only health insurance company that applies co-payments from SWICA basic insurance to SWICA supplementary insurance. This means your maximum annual co-payment is significantly lower than it would be with other health insurers.
More about the combination advantage
Discover all the ways to optimise your premium
You can also benefit from lower co-payments if you have also taken out any supplementary insurance with SWICA. SWICA is the only health insurance company that applies co-payments from SWICA basic insurance to SWICA supplementary insurance. This means your maximum annual co-payment is significantly lower than it would be with other health insurers.
More about the combination advantage
Exclusive services and advantages free to all SWICA customers
- Free, 24-hour telemedicine service from santé24 doctors and medical staff
- SWICA customer service available 24/7 in Switzerland and abroad
- Expert advice on medication, exercise, nutrition, medicinal plants and vaccinations
- active4life programme with 100 benefits and discount offers at selected partners
Discover all of the SWICA advantages

We are happy to advise you
Would you like more information on SWICA or a personal consultation? Client Services would be happy to assist. Call us on 0800 80 90 80 or send us a message using the contact form below.Request a consultation Calculate your premium
Outstanding customer satisfaction
SWICA was once again ranked first in customer satisfaction surveys carried out by Comparis, bonus.ch and AmPuls, and has ranked highly in comparisons for the past ten years. You too can place your trust in SWICA and benefit from the exclusive advantages it offers.
