Please note: The Department of State assumes no responsibility or liability for the professional ability or reputation of, or the quality of services provided by, the entities or individuals whose names appear on the following lists. Inclusion on this list is in no way an endorsement by the Department or the U.S. government. The order in which the Names appear has no other significance. The information on the list is provided directly by the local service providers; the Department is not in a position to vouch for such information.

The following list of doctors is offered only in the hope it may be of some use. Each person on this list is bilingual, but level of English may vary. It is advisable to make inquiries in advance with respect to hours of operation and fees, especially for services such as surgery, hospitalization, therapeutic treatment, etc.

Billing Information

The following applies to most doctors in Switzerland and Liechtenstein. Any appointment which has not been cancelled 24 hours in advance either by telephone or by fax (if available) will unfortunately have to be billed to you. Thank you for your understanding.

Fees for outpatient appointments for physicians and dentists are regulated by a system called Tarmed, using Tarmed points. The rate for a general practitioner is about CHF 15.00 per 5 minutes excluding any procedures or medication, which will be charged additionally. Specialists are more expensive. The Tarmed system was introduced in 2004 and is controlled by the Swiss law. More information is available on the website: www.tarmedsuisse.ch or www.fmh.ch.

At the hospital, proof of health insurance is required and a deposit estimated as a portion of the hospital expense may also be charged. Some medical practitioners and institutions may require an advance deposit for routine or scheduled outpatient services for patients who are not enrolled in a Swiss insurance plan.

Bills thought to be excessive, may be referred for examination to:

Doctors:
Generalsekretariat
Schweiz. Ärzteorganisation
Elfenstrasse 18, 3006 Bern
Tel. 031 359 11 11

Dentists:
Kant. Gesundheitsdirektion
Rathausgasse 1
3011 Bern
Tel. 031 633 41 11

It is customary, to ask a dentist for an estimate for the work to be done after your examination.

Availability

Most family physicians are not available on Thursday afternoons but are available until 11 a.m. on Saturday mornings. Specialists are usually available Monday through Friday.

Vaud and Neuchâtel – a free service for all non-vital emergencies called “Centrale Téléphonique des Médecins de Garde” where you can speak to a nurse that will evaluate the severity of your symptoms. They may then organize your transfer to the hospital, book an on-duty doctor’s appointment, or give you the address of the closest pharmacy. They also act as a pediatric healthline and will offer the same services for children – Information

Medical Emergencies

Ambulance (Krankenwagen): 144
After-Hours Emergency Physician: 0900 57 67 47 (in Switzerland)
Medical Provider Information: 1811 or 1818 (Provides telephone numbers/addresses for duty pharmacy, nearest medical service, fire, air ambulance, life rescue services, etc.