Not an expert but this is the system in general The Swiss system is somewhat fixed prices (TarMED etc) for care provided. This changes every so often. However,

Not an expert but this is the system in general The Swiss system is somewhat fixed prices (TarMED etc) for care provided. This changes every so often. However, hospitals and doctors do charge for extras not related to primary care e.g. private hospital room, choice of Dr and hospitals. Secondly, insurers are not allowed to dispute charges by doctors for primary care (things covered under LaMAL). In the US medical staff spends a lot of time talking to insurers before starting treatment about payment, this practically does not happen here. A doctor prescribes or does, the insurer pays no discussion (or very, very rarely). Insurers thus compete by getting the best customers and extra's for those with money, as well as reducing their own costs. Also every one is insured, you can choose your own insurer if you don't one is picked at random for you. Every year you can change insurance (cancel in November to change in new year). For tourists or the first 3 months that you live here the state covers. Each Kanton/State has at least one public hospital, if you don't have extra insurance this is where you will be treated. To a good standard just nothing experimental. These hospitals are very focussed on their costs. i.e. they will schedule similar operations on the same day. As a patient you will get whatever dr is assigned to the operation. If you have expensive insurance you can ask for a specialist. This costs extra! Of course there are many private hospitals in CH, however they compete for the rich patients who can pay for the luxury. These hospitals actively move care to the public ones when they can get away with it.