Procedure and Fees for Your TCM Treatment in Zurich Albisrieden
Welcome to my practice for Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in Zurich Albisrieden. Transparency matters to me: if you are considering treatment, you should know exactly what the procedure looks like, what costs to expect and how to claim them through your health insurance.
The Two Ways Costs Are Covered
In Switzerland, whether acupuncture and complementary medicine are covered depends fundamentally on how you are insured:
- Basic insurance: Applies only to acupuncture by physicians (doctors with additional TCM training). The deductible (franchise) and co-payment apply.
- Supplementary insurance (complementary medicine): Applies to recognised practitioners like me who are registered with the EMR and are members of the NVS. For acupuncture and Chinese herbs, supplementary insurance usually covers 75 to 90 percent per session, depending on the policy and up to an annual maximum. How many sessions are covered varies from insurer to insurer. For Tuina massage, please check carefully with your health insurer – some insurers also cover Tuina. You can find these conditions in your policy or ask your health insurer directly.
What This Means for You: Rates & Examples
Treatment in my practice is charged transparently by time (tariff 590):
- First consultation (approx. 90 min.): CHF 225 – includes the detailed initial history, pulse and tongue diagnosis and the first treatment.
- Follow-up treatment (approx. 60 min.): CHF 150 – covers the course of treatment and adjusting the therapy.
Example: With a typical reimbursement of 80% from your supplementary insurance for a follow-up treatment (CHF 150), your insurer pays CHF 120, leaving you with CHF 30 per session (please check the exact benefits in your policy or ask the provider of your supplementary insurance for complementary medicine directly).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About the Procedure
How to Check Your Policy & Recognised Health Insurers
- Thanks to my recognition by the EMR (Swiss Register for Complementary Medicine) and my membership of the NVS (Swiss Association of Naturopaths), treatments in my practice are supported by the vast majority of Swiss supplementary insurance plans.
Overview of recognised health insurers: (This list is not exhaustive, as insurance models and partners may change. If in doubt, it is best to ask your supplementary insurer briefly in advance whether your policy covers treatments by EMR- and NVS-recognised therapists.)
• Agrisano • AMB (Assurances Maladies Bleues) • Aquilana • Arcosana • Assura • Atupri • Axa • Cassa da malsauns LUMNEZIANA • CONCORDIA • CSS Versicherung • EGK Gesundheitskasse • Einsiedler Krankenkasse • FKB • Galenos • Glarner Krankenversicherung • GMU • Groupe Mutuel • Helsana • innosana • KPT • Krankenkasse Institut Ingenbohl • Krankenkasse Luzern • Krankenkasse Steffisburg • Krankenkasse Wädenswil • MooveMeds • ÖKK • Philos • Progrès • Provita • Rhenusana • Sanitas • Sodalis • SWICA • Sympany • Visana (incl. sana24 and vivacare)
- Tip: Nevertheless, take a quick look at your policy to see the exact cost share (percentage per treatment and annual limit) for complementary medicine.
A continuously updated overview of the insurers that work with the EMR can be found on the EMR partner page.
When a Medical Practice Is the Better Choice for You
- If you do not have supplementary insurance for complementary medicine and do not want to pay for treatment yourself under any circumstances, I recommend acupuncture with a doctor who has additional TCM training, covered by basic insurance. Honest advice comes first for me.
Formal Details for Billing (ZSR, KSK & Labels)
- For smooth billing with your supplementary insurance, here are my official practice details:
- ZSR no.: Q059761
- KSK no.: B136479
- Quality labels: EMR recognition & NVS A-membership
- For smooth billing with your supplementary insurance, here are my official practice details:
Do I need a doctor's referral?
No, a doctor’s referral is not necessary. To ensure your safety as a patient, however, I work closely with conventional medicine and refer you to a doctor in good time if needed.
Does acupuncture hurt?
A little – but differently from what most people expect: a short, fine prick, often just a pulling sensation that fades again straight away. I have described exactly how the needles feel and how you can have a say during the session on the acupuncture page.
How many treatments are usually needed?
The number of sessions is very individual and depends on your personal healing process. In my more than 25 years of practice I have learned that full transparency about procedure and fees is the basis for treatment built on trust.
With acute complaints, a clear improvement often shows after just 3 to 5 appointments. For chronic or more complex issues, we usually plan a series of 10 to 12 sessions. Depending on the individual situation, however, more appointments may also be useful to secure a truly lasting result. We discuss your progress and the next steps together after each treatment.
How is billing handled?
- You receive an official reimbursement receipt from me according to tariff 590, listing all services provided in detail. Invoicing is conveniently collected in a monthly invoice. You then simply submit the receipt to your supplementary insurance.
How are herbal prescriptions charged?
Preparing an individual first formula is charged as half an hour (CHF 75, based on my hourly rate of CHF 150), follow-up formulas according to the actual time required (1/4 to 1/2 hour). The herbs themselves (approx. CHF 200 to 300 per month) are invoiced directly by the pharmacy.
What happens if I have to cancel an appointment?
Appointments must be cancelled at least 24 hours in advance. For shorter-notice cancellations or no-shows, the reserved time unfortunately has to be charged in full.
