Reimbursement of alternative medicine

Quality pays off: new rules for reimbursing alternative medicine

From April 2026, Groupe Mutuel will make changes to its reimbursement policy for alternative medicine therapies, with the aim to further improve the quality of treatment for customers and to limit premium increases. All previously recognised training qualifications will continue to be recognised after the introduction of this new pricing framework. In addition, therapists registered with the RME, ASCA, NVS/SPAK and APTN will continue to be recognised.

Why a change?

Alternative medicine encompasses a wide range of fields and training requirements. Some therapists undergo a short basic training course, while others go on to obtain professional certificates, federal diplomas, or even master's degrees.
From now on, these differences will be taken into account when reimbursing benefits.

This approach will make it possible to:

  • encourage high-quality practice
  • promote better recognition of skills
  • ensure fair and consistent standards for all therapists
  • continue to recognise as many therapists as before (≈ 33,000 at the beginning of 2026), thereby maintaining an attractive range of services and ensuring continuity in treatment options

Bon à savoir

Are you a therapist?

Find out at a glance everything you need to know about the new pricing regulations for reimbursing alternative and complementary therapies. Read more about the changes, their impact, as well as best practices to ensure that your invoicing complies with the new regulations.

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How to obtain a refund?

Choose your therapy

Find the therapy that best suits your circumstances (massage, osteopathy, kinesiology, etc.) based on the recommendations of your therapist or doctor.

Check the therapist's accreditation

Make sure your therapist is recognised by Groupe Mutuel and check their level of training. The level of training will determine the amount reimbursed under the new pricing structure.

Find a recognised therapist

Attend the therapy and pay for the sessions

Attend your sessions and pay the therapist directly, as is standard practice in alternative medicine.

Send your proof of payment to the insurer

Send your invoices, certificates, or other supporting documents to Groupe Mutuel to receive your refund quickly.

Send an invoice for reimbursement

Reimbursement limits

Each service is reimbursed up to a maximum limit, per five-minute slot and according to two levels of training (basic level and advanced level).

Please note:

  • The majority of therapists currently use this pricing framework to issue their invoices.
  • Over 94% of individuals with insurance covering alternative medicine will not see any difference in their reimbursement.
Main category
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Therapist with
basic training
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Therapist with
advanced training
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Maximum number of sessions per year without justification
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Traitements dentaires
Traitements dentaires
Traitements dentaires
Traitements dentaires

Massage sessions

CHF 120/60 min
(CHF 10/5 min)

CHF 144/60 min
(CHF 12/5 min)

5

Lunettes et lentilles de contact
Lunettes et lentilles de contact
Lunettes et lentilles de contact
Lunettes et lentilles de contact

Osteopathy

CHF 126/45 min
(CHF 14/5 min)

CHF 144/45 min
(CHF 16/5 min)

8

Prévention et activités sportives
Prévention et activités sportives
Prévention et activités sportives
Prévention et activités sportives

Kinesiology, art therapy*, audio-psycho-phonology/Tomatis, rebalancing, oxygen therapy
(>1 hour)

CHF 216/90 min
(CHF 12/5 min)

CHF 252/90 min
(CHF 14/5 min)

8

Frais en cas d’intervention chirurgicale ambulatoire
Frais en cas d’intervention chirurgicale ambulatoire
Frais en cas d’intervention chirurgicale ambulatoire
Frais en cas d’intervention chirurgicale ambulatoire

All other recognised therapies (e.g. acupuncture, homeopathy)
(≤ 1 hour)

CHF 144/60 min
(CHF 12/5 min)

CHF 168/60 min
(CHF 14/5 min)

8



* Only tariff position 1217 is affected.

Good to know

  • The amounts shown are maximum limits on which your reimbursement will be calculated.
  • If the amount billed or the duration of the session exceeds the limit, you will be responsible for paying the difference.
  • At the start of treatment, an initial assessment (medical history) of up to 10 minutes may be added to the above limits.

Concrete examples

These two examples will help you understand how refunds are calculated.

Roméo, 45 years old
Roméo, 45 years old

Roméo consulted a licensed therapist for a 60-minute massage session. The therapist has a basic level qualification, which sets the maximum applicable rate. The bill amounts to CHF 150, but the new pricing structure sets a maximum rate of CHF 10 per five minutes for a maximum duration of 60 minutes.

Calculation of reimbursement:
The reimbursement is based on a rate of CHF 10 per five minutes, or CHF 120 for 60 minutes. Roméo’s supplemental insurance covers 75% of this amount, which represents a reimbursement of CHF 90. 

Therefore, he must pay:

  • CHF 30 for the excess (CHF 12.50/5 minutes billed vs CHF 10/5 minutes recognised)
  • CHF 30 for his 25% cost-sharing


CHF 60 is the total amount Roméo will have to pay for this session.

Selina, 30 years old
Selina, 30 years old

Selina consulted a licensed therapist for a 50-minute osteopathy session. The therapist has an advanced level qualification, which sets the maximum applicable rate. The bill amounts to CHF 160, but the new pricing structure specifies that a maximum duration of 45 minutes can be reimbursed.

Calculation of reimbursement: 
The reimbursement is based on a rate of CHF 16 per five minutes, or CHF 144 for 45 minutes. Selina’s supplemental insurance covers 80% of this amount, which represents a reimbursement of CHF 115.20.

Therefore, she must pay:

  • CHF 16 for the extra time (+5 minutes)
  • CHF 28.80 for her 20% cost-sharing


CHF 44.80 is the total amount Selina will have to pay for this session.

Search for recognised therapists

Use our search tool to find an alternative medicine therapist recognised by Groupe Mutuel.

Search

Our solutions for alternative medicine

Do you wish to use natural medicine treatment methods? Discover our supplemental insurance plans that cover therapies administered by therapists and doctors.

Optimum supplemental insurance

Optimum supplemental insurance

Insurance that offers you support and convenience for a lifetime. With a wide range of benefits covered such as alternative medicine, medication, various preventative measures and sports as well as innovative benefits - for the whole family.

Read More
Premium supplemental insurance

Premium supplemental insurance

Benefit from comprehensive and generous coverage for outpatient treatment and prevention measures, such as alternative medicine, medicines, fitness and dental care, as well as new benefits for your everyday expenses (sports club/annual ski or swimming pool membership, contraception)

Read More
“Global smart” combined insurance

“Global smart” combined insurance

Supplemental insurance that combines coverage for hospitalisation and medical care, including alternative medicine

Read more

Frequently asked questions

What conditions apply for the coverage of alternative medicine treatments by my supplemental insurance?

To be covered, alternative medicine benefits must:

  • be administered by a therapist recognised by Groupe Mutuel;
  • have a therapeutic purpose;
  • be covered by your supplemental insurance (special terms and conditions);
  • meet the criteria of efficacy, appropriateness and cost-effectiveness.


No medical justification is required for up to five massage sessions and up to eight alternative medicine sessions per calendar year for the same therapeutic discipline. However, if the number is exceeded, Groupe Mutuel reserves the right to limit reimbursement or to ask the insured person for a therapeutic or medical report.

Treatments for preventive purposes or to improve well-being are not covered by supplemental insurance.

How can I find out if a therapist is recognised by Groupe Mutuel?

Please use our search tool to check whether the therapist and treatment are recognised by Groupe Mutuel and that your supplemental insurance is intended for this purpose.

What treatments are covered by my basic insurance?

Basic insurance (AOS/OKP) covers the costs of medical care for acupuncture, anthroposophic medicine, traditional Chinese medicine, classical homeopathy and phytotherapy. These treatments must be carried out by an FMH-accredited specialist in general medicine with a recognised certificate for the relevant therapy.

Do I need a medical prescription to claim reimbursement?

For alternative medicine treatments covered by supplemental insurance, you don’t need a medical prescription. However, if you intend to make greater use of the treatments, you may need to justify the therapeutic purpose with medical evidence in the form of a medical report.

Why are my treatments no longer reimbursed?
  • It is the responsibility of health insurers to curb the rise in health costs in order to guarantee affordable supplemental insurance premiums.
  • Groupe Mutuel now ensures that the treatments reimbursed by supplemental insurance have a therapeutic purpose. If a medical treatment or alternative therapy is no longer medically justified and no longer provides a therapeutic improvement, the insurer will inform the insured person that benefits will be reduced or terminated or will request additional evidence, such as a medical report.
  • Groupe Mutuel will cover, without requiring any supporting documents, up to five massage sessions and up to eight alternative medicine sessions per calendar year for the same therapeutic discipline.
  • Beyond five massage sessions or eight sessions of a form of alternative medicine per year, Groupe Mutuel reserves the right to limit reimbursement or to ask the insured person for supporting documents such as a therapeutic or medical report.
What do the criteria of efficacy, appropriateness and cost-effectiveness mean?
  • Efficacy: a treatment must contribute to the intended diagnostic or therapeutic objectives.
  • Appropriateness: a treatment must be relevant and appropriate in relation to alternatives, and comply with ethical and quality standards.
  • Cost-effectiveness: a treatment must be clearly measurable either, for example, by a favourable cost-benefit ratio compared with alternatives, or by a higher benefit that justifies additional costs.
Groupe Mutuel

Rue des Cèdres 5 Case postale, 1919 Martigny    |    +41 0848.803.111

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