“Will my health insurance cover EMS training?” It’s one of the questions we hear most often at the studio. The good news: yes, it often can, as long as you have the right supplementary insurance and train in a recognised studio. SHAPE, our EMS studio in Les Acacias, is QualiTOP certified. Here is how reimbursement works, how much you can get back and what steps to take.
Basic insurance (LAMal) does not cover EMS training in a studio
First things first: Switzerland’s compulsory basic health insurance (LAMal) does not cover fitness memberships or EMS sessions in a studio. It covers a closed list of medical services defined by law, and sports training, even for prevention, is not on that list.
Reimbursement therefore goes through your supplementary insurance, usually outpatient supplementary cover or a “health account” / “health promotion” benefit offered by your health insurer.
QualiTOP: the label that opens the door to reimbursement
QualiTOP is a Swiss quality label awarded to fitness and exercise centres. It checks, among other things, the quality of supervision, coaches’ qualifications, hygiene and safety. Many health insurers require it before contributing to a membership: no recognised label, no reimbursement.
SHAPE has earned QualiTOP certification. In practice, this means your EMS membership with us can be partly covered by your supplementary insurance, provided your insurer recognises the QualiTOP label.
How much can you get back?
The amount depends on your insurer and your policy. Insurers generally work in two ways:
- A percentage of the membership, usually between 50% and 75%;
- With an annual cap, generally ranging from a few hundred francs to around CHF 500 per calendar year, sometimes more depending on the plan.
For example, CSS covers 50% of the cost of a recognised fitness membership or classes, up to CHF 500 per year, for policyholders with the relevant supplementary cover. Other insurers reimburse 75% with a lower cap.
Example: if your insurer reimburses 50% up to CHF 500 per year and your annual membership costs CHF 1,000, you get CHF 500 back. Your membership effectively costs you half price.
These amounts change from year to year and from policy to policy: always check the exact terms with your health insurer.
Which insurers accept QualiTOP?
Most major Swiss health insurers contribute to fitness costs through their supplementary plans, and many recognise QualiTOP, sometimes alongside other labels such as Fitness-Guide or Qualicert. Each insurer keeps its own list of recognised providers and sets its own conditions.
The easiest way: call your insurer or check your online customer account and ask these three questions:
- Does my supplementary insurance contribute to fitness or exercise memberships?
- Is the QualiTOP label recognised?
- What is the percentage and the annual cap?
How to get reimbursed: step by step
- Check your cover with your insurer (see the questions above).
- Take out your membership at SHAPE. Insurers generally reimburse memberships (six-monthly or annual depending on the insurer), rarely single sessions.
- Ask us for your certificate: an invoice or receipt in the insured person’s name, showing the membership period and our QualiTOP certification.
- Send the document to your insurer via their app, your online account or by post.
Our team is used to these formalities: just ask us for the documents you need.
Good to know before you start
- Don’t take out supplementary insurance just for fitness. The annual premium often exceeds the amount reimbursed. But if you already have supplementary cover, it would be a shame not to use it.
- The cap is often shared across all your prevention activities (fitness, classes, yoga…). If you already use it elsewhere, there may be less left for EMS training.
- Keep your receipts and send them within the relevant calendar year: some insurers have reimbursement deadlines.
Why choose a certified EMS studio?
Beyond reimbursement, the QualiTOP label is a mark of quality. EMS is an intense training method: it should be done with qualified supervision, an assessment before the first session and respect for contraindications. At SHAPE, every 25-minute session is supervised by a qualified coach, using wireless technology and tracking your progress with body composition analysis.
Want to know more about our method? Discover EMS training in Geneva at SHAPE.
FAQ: EMS training and health insurance
Is EMS training covered by health insurance in Switzerland?
Not by basic insurance (LAMal). However, many supplementary insurance plans reimburse part of the membership if the studio holds a recognised label such as QualiTOP, which SHAPE does.
How much can my insurer reimburse?
Usually between 50% and 75% of the membership, with an annual cap generally ranging from a few hundred francs to around CHF 500. The exact amount depends on your insurer and your policy.
Are single sessions reimbursed?
Rarely. Most insurers reimburse memberships (often six-monthly or annual). Check your insurer’s conditions before choosing your plan.
What document do I need to send to my insurer?
An invoice or receipt in your name, showing the membership period and the studio’s QualiTOP certification. We provide it on request.
Where is SHAPE?
Rue du Grand-Bureau 12, 1227 Les Acacias (Geneva), a few minutes from Pont-Rouge and Carouge.
Try EMS training for free
Before committing, come and try EMS training at SHAPE: your trial session is free. We’ll use it to discuss your goals and answer your questions about reimbursement.
The SHAPE team
