Who pays for neurorehabilitation in Switzerland? KVG, IV, UVG and MV explained

The four payers at a glance

Mandatory health insurance (KVG) covers physician-prescribed physiotherapy and occupational therapy for conditions such as stroke, multiple sclerosis, or Parkinson’s disease. The basis is a prescription from your family doctor or a specialist, for example a neurologist.

Disability insurance (IV) is responsible in particular for children and adolescents with congenital conditions, for example cerebral palsy. It covers the medical measures needed to improve functional ability.

Accident insurance (UVG) pays when the neurological impairment is the result of an accident, for instance a traumatic brain injury or a spinal cord injury after a fall or road accident.

Military insurance (MV) covers health damage sustained during military, civilian, or civil protection service.

How does cost approval work?

Therapy requires a medical prescription. For certain services, particularly with the IV and for longer therapy series, the clinic obtains a cost approval (Kostengutsprache) from the insurer before treatment begins: a written confirmation that the costs will be covered.

At Nextherapy we handle this administrative process completely for you. We work with your physician, submit the necessary documentation, and bill your insurer directly. In most cases, therapy can begin within days of approval.

Does robotic therapy cost extra?

For you as a patient: no. At Nextherapy you pay no surcharge and no private top-up for the use of robotics. We bill our complete clinical programme, including all of our more than twenty robotic and technology systems such as the Lokomat, directly to your insurer, at the correct tariff points designated for robot-assisted therapy.

This is possible because technology is not an add-on at our clinics but the core of the therapy itself: it enables far more movement repetitions per session than purely manual treatment, and it is precisely this intensity that drives neuroplasticity and, with it, recovery.

Frequent questions from daily practice

Do I need a referral? For insurance coverage, yes: a prescription from your family doctor or a specialist is sufficient. We are happy to help you obtain one.

How many sessions are covered? A prescription typically covers a series of therapy sessions; for chronic neurological conditions, follow-up prescriptions are standard and well accepted. Your physician and our clinical team align the scope with your goals.

What if I am unsure which insurer is responsible? That is exactly what our free pre-assessment is for: we clarify responsibility with you before any costs arise.