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EUROPEAN COMMISSION

EU vaccine passports must prevent ‘discrimination’: European Commission

Europeans may be able to travel more freely this summer with a proposed new vaccination passport. But the European Commission urges caution and calls for certificates to be free from 'discrimination'.

Published: 13 March 2021 12:38 CET
EU vaccine passports must prevent 'discrimination': European Commission
(Photo by Damien MEYER / AFP)

The so-called “digital green pass” provides proof that a person has been vaccinated – or test results if they haven’t received their doses yet. The plans have been laid in a bid to open up travel and help flailing economies.

“The aim is to gradually enable them to move safely in the European Union or abroad – for work or tourism,” Commission chief, Ursula von der Leyen, tweeted.

However, in a draft document seen by Reuters, any future certificate must be free from discriminating information, such as whether people have been tested or have recovered.

The digital certificates are eagerly awaited by many countries in Europe, who rely on tourism and are hoping for an opening up this summer.

READ ALSO: Italy approves Covid-tested flights from US to Milan

But the European Commission clashed with some countries, including Germany, which claimed that vaccinations are not mandatory nor available to those who want it.

Angela Merkel told German newspaper Allgemeine Zeitung: “First, it must actually be clearly resolved that vaccinated people are no longer infectious.”

“As long as the number of those who have been vaccinated is still so much smaller than the number who are waiting for vaccination, the state should not treat the two groups differently.”

READ ALSO: ‘Green pass’: European Commission to propose EU-wide vaccine passports for summer

President Macron also voiced concerns about the fairness of vaccine passports for young people at a virtual meeting of the member states.

Contained in the draft document, which aims to “facilitate free movement” during the pandemic, is a clause that states proof of vaccination should not discriminate against those who either refuse or are unable to access the doses, according to Reuters.

Photo: Johan Nilsson/TT

READ ALSO: EXPLAINED: What does France’s ‘vaccine passport’ trial mean for travel in 2021?

What does this mean for those people who fall into this category? Can they still have a ‘Covid passport?

It’s still not clear and will come down to member states to decide how they enforce such a certificate – whether travel restrictions are lifted for those vaccinated is up to each country.

The news comes as pressure mounts for EU leaders amid criticisms of slow vaccine rollouts – it’s expected more answers come when they will discuss the proposal later in March.

Member comments

  2. It would be wonderful to have access to vaccine, so that we – those of us up sh.&t street – can contribute to the economy again….or at least have access to the Neustarthilfe if we can’t be vaccinated for another 6+ months.

    The situation is fast becoming ridiculous.

    So many people – who receive a monthly salary – are planning their next holidays. They aren’t always following the guidelines because they have nothing to lose (financially) and are selfish (morally).

  3. I respect Macron’s concerns, but my worry is exactly the opposite. I don’t mind seeing a small handful of older people get to move around and go on vacation a few months sooner while I stay at home; after all, the lockdown can be especially hard on them and they have less time to lose. But once most people are vaccinated, then the passport itself is a form a discrimination, and I fear that the few who remain will be marginalized – people like my relatives who have severe allergies and have been advised by medical professionals that it is not safe for them to receive the vaccine. I think we have to step away from the hysteria and remember that a vaccine is meant to establish herd immunity, and that as long as it does, it’s not necessary for every person to be vaccinated. I have travelled extensively in the EU and never once was I asked to prove my history of vaccination against small pox, polio or other diseases much deadlier than COVID19.

  4. Perhaps it would also be a good idea to include prior vaccinations against measles, TB, smallpox etc rather than just Covid-19, on any digital passport. In principle it is a good idea, but needs an element of diplomacy and long-term understanding if it is to really gain traction with the populations of Europe, or anywhere else for that matter.

  5. What about our healthcare privacy? What else can the powers that be demand of us? None of these jabs have been tested long term and we have no way of knowing the long term affects. So many have caused some serious side effects. If you are young and want children, I would be leery of any o9f theses jabs. If you have a history of blood clots in your family, be leery of Astro-Zeneca. I believe all contain aborted fetal tissue. Be informed.

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HEALTH

EXPLAINED: Which Swiss health insurance deductible makes most sense?

If you are a foreigner, understanding Switzerland’s health insurance system may not be easy. And figuring out which ‘out of pocket’ option you should choose can be a real brain twister.

Published: 12 May 2023 11:49 CEST
EXPLAINED: Which Swiss health insurance deductible makes most sense?

If you come from a European, or any other country with a nationalised health care service, then you will find Switzerland’s scheme vastly different.

The same applies to the United States as well. 

Even if you do understand the basics of the Swiss system, including the difference between the obligatory insurance — KVG in German, and LaMal in French and Italian — and the complementary policies, you may still have trouble wrapping your head around the out-of-pocket expenses (the so-called franchise) that you will have to pay yourself.

The deductible

It is not unusual for various policies, such as car or home insurance, to include a deductible — the amount you will have to pay yourself before the insurance starts covering incurred costs. But it is usually a fixed amount, determined by the insurance company.

Not so with the Swiss health insurance.

When you take out a policy, you will have to choose the amount of your annual franchise — ranging from the lowest, 300 francs, to the highest, which is 2,500 francs. (There are various other amounts in between as well, but these two are the most common).

Whichever amount you choose, you will have to pay it yourself before you can claim benefits from the insurance provider.

Highest versus lowest

At first glimpse, the 300-franc deductible is a more attractive option, because it means you will reach the franchise threshold quicker.

However, opting for this amount means that your monthly premiums will be quite a bit higher than if you choose the highest deductible, that is, 2,500 francs.

As an example, if you select the latter option, your monthly premium may be 300 francs or even less. With the former one, it could go up to 450 francs or more. (Keep in mind, though, that this is only a rough estimate of costs; the actual amount depends on your age and your canton of residence).

READ ALSO: Why do Swiss healthcare premiums vary so much per canton?

These amounts, by the way, apply to adults only. For children up to the age of 18, they go from 100 to 600 francs a month.

So which amount should you choose?

The rule is: the higher the deductible, the cheaper the premiums, and vice-versa.

However, before you base your decision on this statement alone, there are two important things to take into account: your health and finances.

People who are young and healthy, and who never or rarely get sick, visit doctors, take medications, or need medical treatments in general, most commonly choose the highest franchise, which means they will be paying lower premiums.

On the other hand, if you are older (which implies, statistically, that you are more likely to seek medical help), or if you have chronic health problems requiring medications and frequent doctor visits, then you are better off with the lower franchise.

That’s the health factor. In terms of finances, having the high deductible means that if all of a sudden you need medical help, you will have to pay 2,500 francs out of your own pocket before insurance steps in.

Which deductible you choose will depend on health and money. Photo: Claudio Schwarz on Unsplash

But that is not all.

Before you do the math to calculate which deductible makes most sense to you, also consider the cost of co-insurance.

What exactly is this?

It is the money you pay out of pocket towards health insurance costs — 10 percent in total.

In other words, after you use up your franchise, you still have to pay 10 percent of the cost for medical treatment (though different rules apply to children, accidents, and maternity).

The co-insurance cost is capped at 700 francs a year, meaning that even if you have frequent, and costly, medical procedures, you will not be charged the 10-percent co-pay after you reach the 700-franc mark.

So when you sit down to figure out which franchise makes most financial sense for you, this is the thing to remember:

If you choose the highest, that is, the 2,500-franc deductible, add to it the 700-franc co-insurance cost. This means that on top of your monthly premiums, you should put aside 3,200 francs a year per adult, to be used toward health costs.

Conversely, if you have a 300-franc deductible, and add the 700-franc co-pay, then you should have 1,000 francs available each year to pay for out-of-pocket medical expenses.

When can you change your deductible — if you decide to do so?

You can switch to a lower deductible at the beginning of the calendar year.

However, you must inform your health insurer of the change in writing by November 30th of the previous year.

The same applies to a higher deductible — it will take effect at the beginning of the calendar year. Here, the deadline for informing the insurance provider is December 31st.

If you don’t notify the insurers of either change by those dates, it will be assumed that your current deductible remains as is.

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