Acupressure through health insurance: Cost coverage in Switzerland explained

In Switzerland, there’s an important difference between basic insurance and supplementary insurance, and for complementary medical services like acupressure, this is decisive. Those who know the terms and procedures avoid disappointment and can optimally use reimbursement.

Basic insurance vs. supplementary insurance

Basic insurance (compulsory)

Swiss basic insurance covers since 2017 under certain conditions five methods of complementary medicine:

• Anthroposophical medicine
• Classical homeopathy
• Phytotherapy
• Traditional Chinese Medicine (acupuncture)
• Traditional European naturopathy

Important: only acupuncture (with needles) is covered, and only when performed by a doctor with proficiency certificate. Acupressure by non-medical therapists is not part of basic insurance.

Supplementary insurance

Many health insurers offer supplementary insurance for alternative and complementary medicine. These typically also cover acupressure, shiatsu, massage, kinesiology, and other methods, when the therapist meets certain qualifications.

What EMR certification means

For supplementary insurance to reimburse a complementary medical service, the therapist must be registered with a recognised quality assurance body. The EMR (Empirical Medicine Register) is the largest and best-known of these bodies in Switzerland.

Requirements for EMR recognition

• Method-specific training of sufficient hours
• Medical basics (anatomy, physiology, pathology)
• Practical experience and regular continuing education
• Professional ethics and quality standards
• Professional liability insurance

EMR tariff code

EMR-certified therapists bill according to standardised tariffs. For acupressure, tariff 590 (“acupressure/acupoint massage”) applies. This code appears on the receipt and is necessary for reimbursement from supplementary insurance.

Praxis Anzhelika Wyss: EMR status

Anzhelika Wyss is an EMR-certified therapist for acupressure. This means:

• Every acupressure treatment receives an EMR-compliant receipt
• Tariff 590 is shown on the receipt
• The receipt can be submitted to supplementary insurance

The practice cannot guarantee reimbursement, that depends on the respective supplementary insurance contract.

Which supplementary insurances reimburse acupressure

Major Swiss health insurers have complementary medicine supplementary insurances that cover acupressure to varying extents. Examples (as of 2026, please check individually):

Important: names change, conditions vary widely. Always translate this to your own contract.

Typical reimbursement patterns

What is often covered: – Flat rate per session (e.g. CHF 60-90) – Annual cap (e.g. CHF 1500-3000) – Partially limited to a certain number of sessions per year

Example calculation (fictitious): – Acupressure 90 min. costs CHF 190 – Supplementary insurance reimburses 75% up to max. CHF 90 per session – Reimbursement: CHF 90 – Out-of-pocket: CHF 100

Exact figures are in your insurance documents under “complementary medicine benefits” or directly available by asking the insurance.

How to check before treatment

Three simple steps:

1. Check insurance card: does your card or documentation list a supplementary insurance including complementary medicine or “alternative medicine”?

1. Call or online portal: brief contact with insurance: “I’d like acupressure treatment with an EMR-certified therapist. What do you reimburse, and are there caps?”

1. Check EMR registration: on the website www.emr.ch you can check in the “EMR therapist directory” whether the desired therapist is actually certified.

Reimbursement procedure

After treatment:

1. You pay the treatment directly at the practice (CHF 140 for 60 min. or CHF 190 for 90 min.)
2. You receive an EMR-compliant receipt with tariff 590
3. You submit the receipt to your health insurance, by post, online portal, or insurance app
4. Reimbursement goes to your bank account, usually within 2 to 4 weeks

Tip: file the receipt digitally so you can find it when needed.

Common misunderstandings

“I have health insurance, it should pay”

Only supplementary insurance pays for acupressure, not basic insurance. Those without suitable supplementary insurance receive no reimbursement for acupressure.

“Switching supplementary insurance is easy”

Supplementary insurances can require a health check when signing the contract and exclude existing conditions. A switch needs careful thought, with pre-existing conditions, switching can become more expensive or have exclusions.

“If I don’t get reimbursement, acupressure isn’t worth it”

Even without reimbursement, acupressure can be worth it, especially when it really helps. CHF 140-190 per session is within the range of typical complementary medicine prices in Switzerland, with or without reimbursement.

“Treatment is billed directly with insurance”

In most cases, no. You pay first and then submit the receipt to your insurance. Direct billing for supplementary insurance services is rare.

If you’re uncertain

Before the first session:

• Call or email the practice (info@anzhelikawyss.ch) and confirm EMR status
• Request a benefit overview from your own insurance
• If needed: plan to pay the first 1 to 2 sessions yourself, then see what insurance reimburses

Pricing

Acupressure 60 min.: CHF 140 Acupressure 90 min.: CHF 190 EMR-certified · reimbursement receipt (tariff 590) included

All acupressure treatments · Book appointment · WhatsApp consultation

Also of interest: All massage treatments

Sources

• Swiss Federal Office of Public Health (BAG), complementary medicine in basic insurance
• EMR, Empirical Medicine Register: www.emr.ch

This content does not replace individual insurance advice. For binding information, always contact your health insurance directly.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need supplementary insurance for acupressure to be reimbursed?

Yes. Basic insurance does not cover acupressure by non-medical therapists. Reimbursement comes through supplementary insurance with complementary medicine coverage, with EMR-certified therapists.

How much does my health insurance reimburse per session?

Varies widely, typical is CHF 60-90 per session with an annual cap (e.g. CHF 1,500-3,000). Exact conditions are in your insurance documents under ‘complementary medicine benefits’ or can be requested directly from the insurance.

What does EMR certification mean?

EMR (Empirical Medicine Register) is the largest quality body for complementary medicine in Switzerland. Recognised therapists have method-specific training, medical basics, and meet quality standards. Anzhelika Wyss is EMR-certified for acupressure.

Do I have to pay for treatment first myself?

In most cases yes. You pay the session directly at the practice and submit the EMR-compliant receipt (with tariff 590) to your supplementary insurance for reimbursement. Direct billing is rare.

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