Insurance Card: chip, data and protection
Why does the card have a chip?
The chip is a data carrier. You can record administrative data as well as medical emergency details. You can decide yourself what will be recorded on the card and who will be able to read the personal data. In order to read the data, the service provider needs to have the required access and infrastructure.
The new insurance card is the first step of the government's eHealth strategy. Electronic networking in the healthcare industry shall be implemented gradually.
What is recorded on the chip?
When delivered to you, the chip only contains administrative data. This is the information already imprinted on your card:
- Family name
- Name
- Gender
- Birth date
- AHV-number
- Card number
- Expiry date of the card
- Name and identification number of the insurer
Further medical information for emergency cases can be added. This information cannot be viewed by ÖKK:
- Mailing address of the insured person
- Special insurance plans (e.g. HMO model)
- Details on accident or additional insurances
- Blood type and transfusion details
- Vaccination details
- Transplantation details
- Allergies
- Illnesses and consequences of an accident
- Medication
- Contact addresses in case of an emergency
- Reference to existing living will
Who can read the data recorded on the chip?
It is a basic requirement that the service provider has the necessary infrastructure (e.g. reading device). However, the service providers have no obligation to provide this service.
Where can I get my emergency details recorded?
If your service provider has the respective infrastructure, you can get your emergency details recorded optionally, e.g. by your general practitioner or at the hospital.
Please note: The service provider has no obligation to record or read such medical information on your card. ÖKK has no access to this information.
Can I have my data blocked?
Yes, you can have certain data blocked (please see following questions).
What kind of data can be blocked?
The following optional details can be blocked:
- Mailing address
- Address for invoices
- Insurance plan
- Details on accident insurance
- Details on additional insurance
- Details on the European Insurance Card (back side)
If you would like to have these details blocked, you need to make an application in writing to your ÖKK branch office within 30 days from the receipt of the card. Please note: It might be a disadvantage that the physician can no longer check if your data is up to date. Moreover, you might not receive all the medication you need from your pharmacy without payment due to this blocking.
- Medical emergency details:
Medical emergency details can be changed and even deleted by your service provider. In addition, you can secure your data with a PIN code. Further information on this can be found under PUK and PIN Code.
What kind of details cannot be blocked?
The following details cannot be blocked:
- Family name
- Name
- Gender
- Birth date
- AHV number
- Card number
- Expiry date of the card
- Name and identification number of the insurer
These are the details imprinted on your card.
How is data protection guaranteed?
You can secure medical emergency details recorded on your card with a PIN code. This protection can be activated by your medical practitioner, if the necessary infrastructure is available. If you lose your PUK code, you can order a new card with a new PUK from your branch office.
ÖKK has no access to emergency details, PUK or PIN. Thus, data protection and data security can be permanently guaranteed.
Why is the new AHV number noted on the card?
The 13-digit AHV number has been extended to a social insurance number. In this way, the insured person can be identified simply and clearly. Service providers use the social insurance number as insurance number. ÖKK is still using their own ÖKK insurance numbers next to the social insurance number.
The AHV number will be allocated to a person as soon as possible, either after birth or after taking up residence in Switzerland, and no longer after the first contact with social insurance. Generally, the insured will get an AHV number only once. The number remains valid all his or her life.
The number is not based on personal characteristics for identification (the number does not «talk»).
Further information: http://www.zas.admin.ch/.
Where do I find my ÖKK insurance number?
You will now find the insurance number within the signature field on the back of your card.
I have lost my card. What do I have to do?
Please order a new card from your branch office.
Data recorded with the online information service will be blocked automatically as soon as you order a new card.
What will happen to my details if I lose my card?
The information on the chip have been lost irretrievably if they have not been saved by your service provider beforehand. You need to have your medical emergency details registered once more as soon as you receive your new card.