I was at a Dermatologist in a Dermatology practice in Zurich and just received the bill. Apparently, it is correct and compliant with the billing rules. The appointment was for a mole check. The doctor asked a couple of questions, then proceeded to examine the moles and finally explained when the next visit shall be. The moles were all inconspicuous and no tests, further appointments etc. were necessary. The whole thing took 20 minutes as is confirmed by the bill. The doctor examined the moles by eye using a Dermatoscope. The latter likely costs around CHF 2’000 or less according to a quick google search and is therefore entirely irrelevant for the cost of the service as it can be used hundreds or even thousands of times. The only other device/consumable used was a paper cover for the examination bed. Essentially, I received 20 minutes of a Dermatologist’s time. Now, to the issue. The bill is CHF 200, consisting of the following items (rounded, slightly simplified and ignoring a position of CHF 20 not relevant here): Examination using the Dermatoscope: CHF 50 Dermatological examination: CHF 50 Time for the consultation: CHF 80 First of all, these three positions are the same. I paid for the doctor’s time with the 3. position, so I don’t see any justification for 1. and 2. Even if we assume that 1. is justified as well, 2. is literally exactly the same thing. Now, let’s check what this means for the Dermatologist. He makes CHF 600 an hour in revenue (not profit) while being paid by a social security insurance. I would like to compare this number. A state-mandated criminal defense attorney in Zurich makes CHF 220 an hour (also revenue, not profit). He is paid by the government (taxes instead of social security) and also has to pay for the rooms he uses, for IT equipent, a secretary etc. I really fail to see how it makes sense that a doctor, who is paid by a social security insurance, which is already at or rather over it’s limit, can make such insane amounts of money at the expense of the general public. Dermatology very likely isn’t the only overpaid specialty but two wrongs (or rather numerous wrongs) don’t make a right. I certainly know where I would begin to control health insurance spending. submitted by /u/Queasy_Map17
Originally posted by u/Queasy_Map17 on r/Switzerland