TARDOC 2026 – Understanding Your Medical Bills

a { text-decoration: none; color: #464feb; } tr th, tr td { border: 1px solid #e6e6e6; } tr th { background-color: #f5f5f5; }

As of 1 January 2026, the billing system for outpatient medical services in Switzerland has changed.
The TARMED tariff has been replaced by a new national tariff called TARDOC, complemented by outpatient flat-rate packages.

This change applies to all physicians in Switzerland, including those billing under LAMal, and it has a direct impact on the presentation and content of your medical bills.

At UNSMIS, we have implemented a clear framework to protect you, make invoices easier to understand, and ensure that only medically justified expenses are reimbursed.

 

Why a new tariff?

The TARMED tariff no longer adequately reflected current outpatient medical practice.

The new TARDOC tariff was designed to:

  • describe medical services more precisely,
  • improve transparency and readability of invoices,
  • limit the use of vague, generic billing items,
  • harmonize billing practices nationwide.

In parallel, certain outpatient treatments are now billed using outpatient flat-rate packages, which group several services related to the same treatment into one overall amount.

 

What changes on your invoices

Before (TARMED)

  • Billing often based on 5‑minute increments
  • Use of generic positions (e.g., “999”)
  • Invoices sometimes difficult to understand

From 2026 (TARDOC and outpatient flat-rate packages)

  • More detailed and better‑defined services
  • Billing per procedure or per minute for some services
  • Introduction of outpatient flat‑rate packages
  • Removal of non‑specific generic positions

👉 Your invoices may therefore look different — sometimes more detailed — but they are designed to be clearer and more transparent.

 

How to read a TARDOC medical invoice

You will find the following information on your invoices:

1. The provider

  • Name of the doctor or medical practice
  • GLN number

2. The patient

  • Your name
  • Date(s) of treatment

3. The billed services

  • Services from the official TARDOC catalogue, or
  • Outpatient flat-rate package when applicable

4. Tariff points

The amount depends on:

  • the number of tariff points,
  • multiplied by the point value applied by the doctor.

5. Total amount

  • Amount billed
  • Amount covered by UNSMIS
  • Any remaining amount at your expense

 

Tariff point value: important reference points

The tariff point value is set at the cantonal level and constitutes the standard reference for billing.

Indicative values:

  • Geneva: CHF 0.94 or CHF 0.96
  • Vaud: CHF 0.94

UNSMIS position

UNSMIS expects physicians to apply the cantonal TARDOC point value as a priority.
To protect insured members, and in the absence of LAMal tariff protection, UNSMIS accepts a maximum point value of CHF 1.00 in Geneva, as a coverage ceiling, not as a reference value.

 

What UNSMIS covers

For outpatient treatments performed from 01.01.2026 onward, UNSMIS covers:

  • only services included in the official TARDOC catalogue,
  • officially recognized outpatient flat‑rate packages.

UNSMIS no longer covers:

  • former TARMED positions,
  • generic positions (e.g., 999),
  • services not compliant with the TARDOC framework.

 

Your role as an insured member: a key part of the process

You are the first person who knows:

  • what treatment was performed,
  • how much time you spent at the medical practice.

You are therefore the first line of defense to:

  • detect possible errors,
  • avoid excessive billing,
  • ensure that only medically justified expenses are reimbursed.

Your vigilance directly contributes to cost control and the sustainability of your insurance coverage.

 

If you have doubts about an invoice: good practices

If an invoice seems unclear or excessive:

  1. Do not pay it immediately.
  2. Compare it with your recollection of the treatment (services, duration).
  3. Consult UNSMIS guides and explanatory documents.
  4. Contact UNSMIS for verification.
  5. If necessary, contact your doctor for explanations or a corrected invoice.

Our teams are available to assist you.

 

How UNSMIS supports you

To facilitate the transition to TARDOC, UNSMIS has implemented:

  • comprehensive staff training,
  • proactive communication for insured members,
  • information sessions (in person and via Microsoft Teams),