Why do I need an insurance card?
If you claim medical benefits in Switzerland or another EFTA/EU country, these can be settled directly via ÖKK thanks to the insurance card. It makes the process a lot easier. If you voluntarily load medically relevant information to your insurance card, the card provides your doctor with additional important information (see “Can I load my own data onto the card, e.g. emergency information?”)
If you have your basic insurance with ÖKK, your insurance card also acts as a European health insurance card and is valid in all EU and EFTA countries. If the back of your card is blue, this shows that it is valid in these countries. If the back is white, you only have your supplementary insurance with ÖKK, meaning your card is only valid in Switzerland. If you have your basic and supplementary with two different health insurers, you should always therefore show both insurance cards when claiming medical benefits.
What information can be found on my insurance card?
Your card contains the following information: last name, first name, date of birth, gender, policyholder number
The front of the card also displays an emergency number which you can dial in case of a medical emergency.
If you use the myÖKK app, then you always have a digital copy of the card with you.
Where do I find my policyholder number?
Your policyholder number is listed on the back of your card as well as all documents you receive from ÖKK.
Why does my card have a microchip and a magnetic strip?
The microchip contains your administrative data, which is also printed on the card: first name, last name, date of birth, gender, policyholder number, AHV number, card number, expiry date of card and name of the insurer, i.e. ÖKK. If you have voluntarily added other information onto the card, this is also stored on the microchip.
Your card number is saved on the magnetic strip on the back for if a device is unable to read the chip.
Who can read the data on the chip?
Service providers can read the information on the chip if they have the necessary infrastructure (e.g. card reader).
What is the situation regarding data protection?
You can protect the additional information on your card with a PIN code. Your doctor is able to activate this level of protection. ÖKK does not know this PIN. ÖKK cannot access the information stored on your insurance card.
If you forget your PIN, you will need a PUK code in order to set a new PIN. The PUK code can be found on the card holder (the piece of paper the insurance card was attached to when it was sent to you).
How long does it take to deliver my card?
As soon as we have received your social insurance number directly, you will then usually receive your insurance card after approx. three to four weeks.
I still haven’t received my insurance card. What do I have to do?
Contact your ÖKK agency or call us on our free-of-charge hotline 0800 838 000.
I have lost my insurance card. What do I have to do?
Report the loss as quickly as possible by contacting your ÖKK agency or by calling us on our free-of-charge hotline 0800 838 000. ÖKK will then block your insurance card and you will receive a new one free of charge. However, any additional information you have saved will be lost and will need to be saved again.
Legal principles
The legal principles are specified in the Federal government ordinance concerning insurance cards (VVK) for compulsory health care insurance (OKP) and are based on Art. 42a of the Swiss Health Insurance Act (KVG).
More information on accident insurance can be found on the website of the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH).
