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Health insurance
LAMal vs supplementary health insurance: what is the real difference?
Mandatory basic cover and supplementary insurance do not answer the same need. Here is how to separate them and avoid unnecessary overlap.
By Le Prix Malin - 8 February 2026
Separating basic and supplementary logic
LAMal is the mandatory foundation of Swiss health insurance, while supplementary insurance adds optional protection for more specific needs such as hospital comfort, dental or optics.
The best comparison treats the two layers separately. For LAMal, focus on premium, model and deductible. For supplementary insurance, focus on guarantees, limits and the real usefulness of each option.