Basic or supplementary insurance: what's the difference?
Understanding the difference avoids cancellation mistakes. Here are the essentials, side by side.
| Basic insurance (LAMal) | Supplementary (LCA) | |
|---|---|---|
| Mandatory? | Yes, for all residents | No, optional |
| Acceptance | Guaranteed: no insurer can refuse | The insurer can refuse based on health |
| Cancellation deadline | Letter received before 30 November | Contract notice (often 3 months) / after 3 years |
| Advice | Change freely every year | Take out the new one before cancelling the old one |
★ Good to know
Basic and supplementary insurance are cancelled separately, with different rules: don't confuse them.
Templates & deadlines: two letters, two notice periods
Cancel the basic and supplementary policies at the right time, with the right letter: