Aide résiliation
Do you have to give a reason to cancel basic insurance (LAMal)?
Many insured people believe they must justify their departure. For basic insurance, that is not the case: ordinary cancellation is a right, with no reason to give. Here is what the law actually requires — and what can still block an exit.
Ordinary cancellation requires no reason
For compulsory health insurance (LAMal), changing fund is a right. You do not have to explain why you are leaving: neither the search for a cheaper premium, nor dissatisfaction, nor anything else needs to appear in the letter. The fund cannot ask you to justify your choice in order to validate an ordinary cancellation.
In practice, your letter can be limited to the essentials: your identity, your insured or policy number, a clear statement of your intention to cancel, the effective date and your signature. There is no point adding a paragraph of explanations: it adds nothing to validity.
What the letter must contain instead of a reason
Since no reason is required, focus on what is in fact decisive. State your full details, the number on your policy, the line concerned (here basic insurance) and the desired effective date. For an exit on 1 January, the letter must reach the fund by 30 November at the latest (one-month notice).
Also think about continuity of cover: as basic insurance is compulsory and uninterrupted, make sure you are affiliated with a new fund for 1 January. This is not a condition for the cancellation's validity, but it is essential to stay covered.
The only case where context changes things
There is one situation where context matters: a premium increase. When the fund notifies you of an increase (by 31 October at the latest for the following year), you keep your right to cancel for 1 January by meeting the 30 November receipt deadline. You still do not have to give a reason, but the increase is what prompts many departures in practice.
Conversely, a reason is of no use if premiums or cost-sharing remain unpaid: the fund can then refuse the cancellation until the situation is settled. Clear your arrears before sending your letter.
★ Good to know
For basic insurance, no reason is required in an ordinary cancellation. A cancellation can, however, be refused while premiums or cost-sharing remain unpaid.
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