Camenzind, P.

Crivelli, L.

de Pietro, C.

Edwards-Garavoglia, S.

Quentin, W.

Spranger, A.

Sturny, I.

Wittenbeche, F.

English

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The performance of the Swiss health system: goodresults but high costsWilm QuentinC de Pietro1, P Camenzind2, I Sturny2, L Crivelli1, S Edwards-Garavoglia3, A Spranger3, F Wittenbeche3, W Quentin31University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland (SUPSI),Switzerland2Swiss Health Observatory (Obsan), Neuchaˆtel, Switzerland3Department of Health Care Management, Berlin University, Berlin,GermanyContact: wilm.quentin@tu-berlin.deBackgroundThe Swiss health system is characterized by a particularlycomplex institutional set-up with decision-making powershared between different levels of government, corporatistactors, and the people who can veto or demand reform. Allresidents are insured by Mandatory Health Insurance, whichprovides coverage to a comprehensive benefits package. Healthexpenditures per capita were US$ 6,062 in 2012 - the secondhighest in Europe after Luxembourg.MethodsThe assessment builds on the extensive country monitoring bythe European Observatory on Health Systems and Policiesthrough its Health Systems in Transition (HiT) health systemreviews. Monitoring is carried out using a standardizedquestionnaire that collects data on financial protection andequity in financing; user experience and equity of access tohealth care; health outcomes, health service outcomes andquality of care; health system efficiency; and transparency andaccountability.ResultsLife expectancy in Switzerland is the highest in Europe afterIceland, and healthy life expectancy is several years above theEU average. Patients are highly satisfied with the health system,perceive quality to be good or very good, and there arevirtually no waiting times. Financial protection of Swisshouseholds from the costs of medical care is good but morelimited than, for example, in Austria, Germany, or theNetherlands. Low income households contribute a greatershare of their income to the financing of the health system thanhigher income households. Flawed financial incentives exist atdifferent levels of the health system, potentially distorting theallocation of resources to different providers.ConclusionThe Swiss health system is highly valued by patients and scoresvery well on a broad range of indicators. However, a greatchallenge for Swiss policy makers remains controlling the highand rising costs of the health system.274 European Journal of Public Health, Vol. 25, Supplement 3, 2015

The performance of the Swiss health system: good results but high costs: Wilm Quentin

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The performance of the Swiss health system: good results but high costs: Wilm Quentin

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