eTG and tariff 590 current developments in complementary medicine

The path to digitization with tariff 590

Since 2022, Swiss complementary medicine has had to use software for billing in accordance with tariff 590. Since then, therapists have had to digitally record their services and bill them using a machine-readable QR code.

This standardization was an important step towards increasing transparency and efficiency. The electronic recording of services simplifies administration and creates the basis for the next development step.

What is the Electronic Tiers Guarantor (eTG)

The industry is currently working intensively on the introduction of the electronic tier guarantor (eTG). The aim is to enable invoices to be sent directly from practice software to health insurance in the future.

This is intended to eliminate the usual cumbersome submission of paper documents by the patient. The patient remains a payer, but benefits from a significantly faster and easier reimbursement process.

Key points of EtG

• Invoice is sent directly to the insurance company
• Patient receives an electronic copy at the same time as a check
• Paper receipts and manual submission are no longer necessary
• Data protection is maintained through encrypted transmission

Which insurers already support eTG

Major insurers such as SWICA, Sanitas and CSS have either already introduced eTG or have successfully completed pilot projects.

Other providers are working intensively on the implementation and are planning to introduce it by 2025 at the latest. Smaller insurance companies have also recognized the potential of eTG and are preparing for the new digital process.

What therapists need to use EtG

For therapists, EtG does not mean a complicated transition, provided that a number of important requirements are met:

• Using tariff 590 compatible billing software
• connection to a secure transmission system, e.g. via MediData
• Obtaining patient consent to transfer data

Anyone who works with modern software today is usually already prepared or only needs minor adjustments.

Benefits for care providers

With eTG, administrative costs for practices are noticeably reduced. In concrete terms, this means:

• Invoices no longer have to be created, printed or signed manually
• Electronic transmission saves postage, time and reduces sources of error
• Payments arrive faster as patients get reimbursed faster

Smaller practices that have few administrative resources in particular benefit greatly from these simplifications.

Benefits for insured persons

EtG also makes things much easier for patients.

• No more tedious submission of paper receipts
• Faster reimbursement through automated processes
• Better overview thanks to electronic documentation
• High data security through modern encryption techniques

Patients who often use complementary medical services will particularly appreciate the new simplicity.

Looking to the future, decision in spring 2025

An important decision is pending in spring 2025. The complementary medicine insurance team wants to check whether EtG can and should be introduced across the board.

A positive decision would be a big step for alternative and complementary medicine. Not only would billing become more modern, but patient administration as a whole would also be simpler, more efficient and more transparent.

conclusion

The introduction of eTG is a milestone on the road to modern digital complementary medicine in Switzerland. Both therapists and patients benefit from less bureaucracy, more speed and more security. Anyone who prepares now will not only master the coming changes, but will actively benefit from them.