Coverage of the costs of TENS therapy devices by the health insurance

There are methods and items for the treatment of a disease that are categorized as obligatory services of the compulsory health insurance. Basic insurance must then, by law, cover the costs of specific devices up to a certain amount. Depending on that, these devices may be purchased or rented.

A separate methods and items list (MiGeL) pertaining to this point of the federal law on health insurance (KVG) was published, containing the devices as well as the respective expenditure allowances. The MiGeL indicates the maximum amount of reimbursement (including VAT) as 'HVB'. Any additional costs are at the expense of the insured person. The item numbers in the MiGeL indicate the product category, and the last digit indicates whether a rental system and/or a purchase system is to be used (last digit 1 = purchase, 2 = rent, 3 = purchase and rent).

The devices must correspond with one of the product descriptions in the MiGeL and have been prescribed by a doctor. TENS devices, for example, fall under the product category '09.02 nerve stimulation devices' and can be bought or rented. Also noteworthy: For your basic health insurance to cover the costs of a TENS device, the following requirements must also be met:

• The device must be a medical product.
• It must be bought in Switzerland.
• Self-treatment with TENS by the insured person must be confirmed as the correct treatment by a doctor. Also, the insured person must be trained in the use of the stimulator by the doctor, chiropractor or physiotherapist.

Our range of TENS therapy devices meets the requirement of being classified as medical devices as well as that of being sold in Switzerland. Additional details can be found in the respective product description: Reference to certification as a medical device and the exact MiGeL number.