Yes, alternative medicines likeAcupuncture, L'Homeopathy, there Traditional Chinese medicine, there Phytotherapy and the Anthropomorphic medicine are reimbursed in Switzerland by the Lamal, but under some specific conditions. See the table below.
Alternative medicines covered by basic health insurance
| Alternative medicine | Support conditions |
|---|---|
| Acupuncture | Reimbursement by LAMal basic insurance, provided that the treatments are carried out by a doctor with specific training in this discipline. |
| Homeopathy | Covered by basic insurance if the treatment is administered by a doctor trained in homeopathy, meeting the requirements of effectiveness, adequacy and economicity. |
| Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) | Covered by compulsory healthcare insurance provided it is practiced by a doctor with postgraduate training in TCM. |
| Phytotherapy | Herbal treatments provided by a doctor with a recognized specialization are reimbursed by basic insurance. |
| Anthropomorphic medicine | Integrated into basic insurance under certain conditions, notably the need for a doctor qualified in this approach for treatments. |
Other alternative medicines must be covered by additional.
What are alternative medicines?
Alternative medicine, also called complementary or alternative medicine, encompasses a range of healthcare practices that fall outside the scope of conventional medicine as practiced in a country's dominant healthcare system. According to the World Health Organization, these practices do not always integrate the usual academic standards but offer varied therapeutic approaches.
Complementary medicine aims to accompany classical medicine, a preferred option when conventional treatments alone are not enough or when a more holistic approach is sought. On the other hand, alternative medicine positions itself as a replacement option for traditional medicine, offering a new path when usual treatments reach their limits.
In Switzerland, the Federal Office of Public Health recognizes a wide range of these therapies which vary from acupuncture and herbal medicine to more specific practices such as homeopathy or traditional Chinese medicine, thus offering the population a range of choices for their well-being and health.