Preventive gynecological consultations systematically included in the basic insurance

By signing this petition, you support that preventive gynecological consultations should be systematically included in the basic insurance. 

Therefore, you agree that the current coverage of the costs of these consultations (every three years) is not in line with the wishes of many women and/or the recommendations of gynecologists and midwives. 

Why is this consultation important? 

This preventive gynecological examination includes a smear test. It is a medical test in which a few cells are taken from a woman’s cervix and examined to see if any cancer cells are present. Cervical cancer affects 250 women and kills 80 each year in Switzerland. 

The Swiss Society of Gynecology and Obstetrics (SGGG) recommends that cytological screening be performed every three years between the ages of 30 and 70 and every two years between the ages of 21 and 30. 

Health insurance 

Currently in Switzerland, basic health insurance covers a preventive gynecological consultation only every three years if the last results show nothing abnormal. The costs of this consultation are deducted from the franchise or the shares of the payment. 

The first problem concerns women under the age of 30 who wish to follow this recommendation and have a check-up two years later. In the case of a cervical smear two years later, the basic insurance does not deduct the costs of the consultation from the franchise and the patient must pay the full cost. 

A question of costs for health insurance companies? 

The systematic inclusion of preventive screening in the basic insurance does not mean that the costs for the insurance companies will increase considerably. 

In this petition, we are not asking for free consultations (although the question could be considered) but to include it in the basic insurance and therefore in the franchise, no matter when the last consultation was. In other words, to treat this medical examination in the same way as an appointment with a general practitioner.

What do midwives and gynecologists say? 

Most midwives and gynecologists recommend that their patients should not wait three years before doing a smear test again, even after the age of 30. "18 months, 2 years maximum" for some gynecologists, "an annual check-up" is safer for other health professionals. 

Most women want to follow their gynecologist's recommendation, so why doesn't basic insurance follow the recommendations of gynecologists and midwives? 

Not all women are equal when it comes to health

Furthermore, relying on the results of the last smear test should not be the only reason to plan when the next appointment will be. It is arguable that a woman who has not been vaccinated against HPV or who has a medical history should or would like to be checked more than another woman, without incurring additional costs. Is women's health really a priority in Switzerland?

Or is it not considered that women will follow the recommendation of their gynecologist anyway, even if they have to pay for it? And if so, why should women pay more because they are women? Or why take the risk that some women, often on lower salaries, wait too long to plan a new consultation? 

Why a difference in gynecology?

On the other hand, why do we make a difference between a blood test and a gynecological test?  When a person, man or woman, wants to have a check-up with a doctor (for example for a blood test), the consultation is covered by the basic insurance. They are not asked when their last blood test was and the last results for the insurance to cover the consultation. 

So why can't we just support women who just want to be reassured? Because while some women have no problem waiting three years for a next visit, others are very worried about developing pre-cancer in between the two tests.

These are all questions that I invite you to ask yourself before signing this petition. 

More sorority and solidarity

Charline Dulac    Contact the author of the petition