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mySympany

Insurance card: Your Sympany card put simply

Your Sympany insurance card is your personal ID in the Swiss healthcare system. It facilitates billing of medical services, serves in addition as a European health insurance card on the back of the smart card and is required in medical practices, pharmacies and hospitals.

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What is the basic insurance card?

If you have taken out compulsory health insurance (OKP) with Sympany you will receive a Sympany card in credit card format:

  • with chip
  • with European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) printed on the back
  • with details of the insured person and the insurance cover

If you also have supplementary insurances with Sympany, they are likewise stored electronically on this card.

The basic insurance card shows:

  • Last name, first name
  • Date of birth
  • OASI or social security number
  • Sympany insurance number
  • Name of insurance company
  • Card validity period
  • On the back: details of the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)

If you take out a basic insurance in Switzerland you will receive an insurance card with an electronic chip. The card is stipulated by the Federal Law on Sickness Insurance (HIA). Health insurers are obliged to provide this information electronically (Ordinance on the Insurance Card for Mandatory Health Insurance ICO). This gives medical practices, pharmacies and hospitals easy access to patients’ personal details and information on their insurance cover.

In Switzerland, you use the card:

  • when you go to the doctor
  • in hospital (outpatient and inpatient)
  • in the pharmacy (cashless collection of medication)
  • with other approved service providers (such as physiotherapy)

Service providers read the chip, check your insurance cover and, in most cases, bill Sympany directly. You will then receive a benefit statement from Sympany.

Ideally, keep the card in your wallet at all times so that it is readily available in the event of an emergency.

In Switzerland, you can also show your digital insurance card in mySympany.

It’s particularly practical for families, as both parents thus have their children’s cards to hand at all times.

The EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) on the back makes it easier to access required medically services in:

  • EU countries
  • EFTA countries (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway)
  • the United Kingdom (UK)

It applies to medical treatment required during a temporary stay abroad that cannot be postponed until after the patient’s return. Billing is in accordance with the rules of the public health system in the country of residence. More information on holidays and stays abroad ›

Important: The EHIC is not a substitute for travel insurance. For return transports, private service providers and other benefits, we recommend taking out additional protection through travel insurance or supplementary insurance from Sympany.

When you are abroad, you must always present the physical card. The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is shown on the back. Digital images of the EHIC are generally not recognised. 

  • The European Health Insurance Card on the back of the card is therefore not shown as a digital card in mySympany.
  • Take the physical card with you on every journey and keep it safe.

Tip: The number for medical emergencies abroad is also printed on your health insurance card: +41 41 480 44 22. If you have to go to hospital abroad, you can use this number to clarify whether Sympany will cover the costs. The number can be found on both the physical and the digital card. What to do in an emergency abroad ›

Who receives a supplementary insurance card?

If you have taken out only supplementary insurance (VVG products) with Sympany you will receive a different card:

  • without a chip
  • without printed European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)

This card identifies you as a Sympany supplementary policyholder.

In principle, you can also obtain medication in Switzerland with the VVG card:

  • Sympany’s supplementary outpatient insurance covers, for example, medication prescribed by a doctor, non-compulsory, off-listed or non-listed medicines –, depending on the product and conditions.
  • Pharmacies can identify VVG cover based on the card or insurance number and bill Sympany directly.
  • However, this is not always the case. Customers then have to make advance payments at the pharmacy and submit the invoice to Sympany.

You can see the supplementary insurance card digitally in mySympany and show it to Swiss service providers (such as medical practice, pharmacy, hospital).

The supplementary insurance card is not recognised as proof of insurance abroad. It is primarily of use here because the telephone number for emergencies when abroad is printed on it: +41 41 480 44 22. If you need to go to hospital abroad, you can use this number to clarify whether Sympany will cover the costs.

In the event of a medical emergency abroad, the following generally applies:

  • Most costs are covered by basic insurance (or accident insurance).
  • Any benefits from supplementary insurance policies (VVG) are invoiced separately and can then be submitted to Sympany. Cost coverage depends on the respective cover.

You can find details at: Holidays and stays abroad ›

If you have taken out both basic insurance and supplementary insurance with Sympany, the following applies:

  • You will receive a card with chip (OKP card).
  • The supplementary insurance policies are also stored on this card.
  • No separate VVG card is required.

Special features for border commuters

Various different cards apply for border commuters, depending on the product:

euroline (product according to KVG)

  • You will receive a card with a chip because, like Swiss basic insurance, it is a product according to the KVG.
  • In Switzerland and EU countries, you use Sympany’s Swiss insurance card. The European insurance card is on the back of your Sympany card.
  • In your country of residence, use the card from your local health insurance company.

mondial (product according to VVG)

  • You will receive a card without a chip because, like Swiss supplementary insurance, it is a product according to the VVG (although it offers you similar benefits to basic insurance).
  • In Switzerland, you show your Sympany card.
  • You do not need to present a card in your country of residence or in EU countries. You are considered as a self-payer and then submit the invoice to Sympany.

Frequently asked questions about the Sympany card (FAQ)

For new clients, it is valid from the start of insurance

The following applies to existing clients:

  • in the event of changes in cover (such as inclusion of additional products or cancellation of individual products) from the date on which the change comes into effect – usually 1 January
  • in the event of changes to personal details or upon expiry of the previous card: upon receipt of the new card

If you take out basic insurance and supplementary insurance policies with different insurers, you will be sent several health insurance cards. Always present all cards. In this way, the doctors, pharmacies and hospitals can settle the benefits with the right insurance company.

The following applies for border commuters with euroline:

  • In your country of residence, use the card issued by your partner health insurer.
  • In Switzerland or abroad, use the Swiss insurance card.

Don’t worry, you will still be able to receive treatment or medication. It may take four to six weeks for your card to be produced and sent out.

The best thing is to show your digital insurance card on your smartphone in mySympany. If this is not possible, you will receive a reimbursement receipt from your doctor’s practice or a receipt from your pharmacy which you can submit to Sympany.

Here’s how it works: Submitting invoices ›

It is recommended that you always carry your card – especially the basic insurance card – in your wallet. This means that you can provide proof of your insurance immediately when you visit the doctor, go to the pharmacy or in the event of an emergency.

Important:

  • In Switzerland, you can also show your digital insurance card in mySympany. It’s almost always with you on your smartphone.
  • If you are in the EU, you must always show your physical card. The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is shown on the back of the insurance card with chip.

No. Digital images are generally not recognised abroad. You must always use the physical card. The European Health Insurance Card on the back of the basic insurance card is therefore not shown as a digital card in mySympany.

Call +41 41 480 44 22 for information about practices and hospitals where you are staying and check whether Sympany will cover the costs of treatment. If necessary, employees will organise transport and return journeys.

Important:

  • In the event of a serious emergency, call the local emergency number for medical assistance.
  • You will not receive any medical advice or treatment on the emergency number.

Medical emergency abroad: How to proceed ›

No, unfortunately this is not possible. Only one card can be issued for each insured person – in this case for each child. However, you can use the digital insurance card in mySympany to pay for treatments or to purchase medication in Switzerland. You always have them with you on your smartphone, in the app or in the customer portal.

Please note: For treatment abroad, you must present your physical insurance card – the digital card will not be recognised. If a parent is travelling alone with their child (or children), they must have the insurance card with them.

In this case:

Pay for the medication at the pharmacy.

Submit the invoice to Sympany via mySympany or by post.Sympany will check whether it can cover the costs as part of your basic and supplementary insurance.

During your assignment:

  • If you are performing military service, civilian service or civil protection for more than 60 consecutive days, your basic insurance cover will be suspended. During this time, you will be covered by military insurance. Your supplementary insurance policies remain valid.
  • You will receive a card without a chip. This only contains information on your supplementary insurance policies. You can dispose of the chip card.
  • If you need to go to a civilian doctor or a pharmacy while in service, please show your Sympany insurance card his contains your insurance number. Indicate that you are in service. Billing will then take place through the military insurance. 

After your assignment:

  • Your basic insurance will be active again. You will receive a new chip card with information about your basic and supplementary insurance.
  • You can dispose of the card without a chip.

You will automatically receive a new card before the old one expires. You don’t need to do anything. Your digital insurance card in mySympany will also be renewed automatically after the expiry date.

Report loss/damage: Inform Sympany as soon as possible (customer portal, app, contact form or by phone) so that we can block your lost or defective card. 

Replacement card received:

  • You will receive your new card by post at the address on file with Sympany.
  • You can show your digital card in mySympany in Switzerland until your new card arrives.
  • Keep all medical documents in a safe place and provide official identification if necessary. Sympany can confirm your insurance cover to service providers.
  • If emergency treatment is required in an EU/EFTA country or in the United Kingdom, you can order a “provisional replacement certificate” (PEB) from Sympany or call Sympany for medical emergencies abroad on: +41 41 480 44 22 or Contact form. You will usually receive this confirmation as a PDF.