Complementary medicine and massage: what is covered
Whether basic insurance pays depends less on the method than on who provides it. That distinction decides every invoice.
Quick overview
What matters before you compare
Five complementary methods are covered by basic insurance provided a physician with a recognised certificate of proficiency delivers them. The same treatment from a non-medical therapist is not covered - that needs supplementary insurance.
- Inside basic insurance: anthroposophic medicine, homeopathy, phytotherapy, traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture, delivered by certified physicians.
- The provider decides, not the method. The same treatment from a non-physician is not covered by basic insurance.
- Classic relaxation massage is never a basic insurance benefit. Physiotherapy on medical prescription is.
- Supplementary policies typically reimburse 70 to 90 percent up to an annual cap between CHF 500 and 3,000 - and only for therapists on recognised registers.
What basic insurance covers
Five complementary methods have been a permanent part of mandatory basic insurance since 2017: anthroposophic medicine, homeopathy, phytotherapy, traditional Chinese medicine and - since 1999 - acupuncture.
The decisive condition attaches to the provider, not the method: the treatment must be delivered by a physician holding a recognised certificate of proficiency in that field. Treatment by a non-medical homeopath brings no reimbursement from basic insurance, even though the method itself sits in the benefits catalogue.
Where basic insurance does cover the treatment, it runs through deductible and co-payment like any other benefit. With a high deductible you effectively pay for the first sessions yourself.
Massage, physiotherapy and the line between them
Massage is where the boundary is misunderstood most often. Classic massage for relaxation or prevention is not a basic insurance benefit, regardless of how much it helps or who performs it.
Physiotherapy on medical prescription is covered. It includes manual techniques that resemble massage, but it is tied to a prescription, a diagnosis and a limited number of sessions. After nine sessions a new prescription is needed; longer series require the insurer's prior approval.
Osteopathy sits in between: it is not part of basic insurance, but nearly every outpatient supplementary policy reimburses it - provided the practice appears on the insurer's list. The same applies to craniosacral therapy, shiatsu, reflexology and similar methods.
What supplementary insurance adds
Outpatient supplementary policies almost always cover complementary medicine, but the conditions decide what the cover is worth:
Reimbursement rate and annual cap: 70 to 90 percent of costs up to an annual limit is typical. The range runs from roughly CHF 500 on entry-level policies to CHF 3,000 and above on comprehensive ones. The combination matters: 90 percent up to CHF 500 is worth less than 75 percent up to CHF 2,000.
The therapist register: Almost all insurers reimburse only if the therapist appears on a recognised register - usually ASCA, EMR or the insurer's own list. This is the most common reason for a rejected invoice. Check the registration before the first session, not after.
Waiting periods: Some policies only pay after three to twelve months. Signing up because of a current complaint is often too late.
The shared pot: Complementary medicine, vision aids and gym contributions frequently share one annual budget.
What to check before you sign
Complementary medicine is one of the few areas where outpatient supplementary insurance can pay for itself - if you genuinely use it regularly. An osteopathy session costs CHF 120 to 180. Ten sessions a year means CHF 1,200 to 1,800; a policy paying 80 percent up to CHF 2,000 covers a substantial share of that.
Four questions before signing:
First: is your therapist on the insurer's register? Second: how high is the annual cap, and do you share it with other benefits? Third: is there a waiting period? Fourth: what happens with an existing complaint - will the insurer attach an exclusion?
Supplementary insurance falls under private insurance law. The insurer may decline or attach exclusions. Apply while you are healthy - and never cancel your existing supplementary policy until the new one has confirmed in writing. The order matters, as set out in the guide to switching supplementary insurance.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Does basic insurance pay for homeopathy?
Yes, when the treatment is delivered by a physician holding a recognised certificate of proficiency. With a non-medical homeopath, only supplementary insurance pays.
Is massage covered by basic insurance?
Classic relaxation massage is not. Physiotherapy on medical prescription is covered and includes manual techniques, but it is tied to a prescription, a diagnosis and a limited number of sessions.
Is osteopathy reimbursed?
Not by basic insurance. Practically all outpatient supplementary policies reimburse osteopathy, provided the practice is on the insurer's register - usually ASCA or EMR.
Why was my invoice rejected even though I have supplementary cover?
The most common reason is that the therapist is not registered with ASCA, EMR or the insurer's own list. Other reasons are an exhausted annual cap, an ongoing waiting period, or an exclusion from the health screening.
How many sessions does the insurer pay for?
Basic insurance sets no fixed number; it is tied to medical necessity, and physiotherapy needs a new prescription after nine sessions. In supplementary insurance the annual cap effectively limits the number of sessions.
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How this page is maintained
- Written by
- Nexin Editorial
- Reviewed by
- Thomas SchallertInsurance intermediary, VBV-certified
- Published
- Last reviewed
- Deadlines, amounts and legal references checked against the Health Insurance Act and its ordinances. Content unchanged; the page moved from the blog into the knowledge section and received a permanent address.
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Sources
- Health Care Benefits Ordinance (SR 832.112.31)Fedlex, Federal Chancellery · retrieved 6 August 2026
- FOPH: Health insurance – benefits and tariffsFederal Office of Public Health · retrieved 6 August 2026
Changes
- Expanded from a marketing page with two bullet points into a full benefit page.