Swiss health funds to raise premiums

The Swiss health funds are expected to raise premiums in 2010 by between 9% and 20% to maintain the forecast level of reserves of 4% beyond the  end of this year.

The Santesuisse organization will negotiate with the funds to call for  reductions of cost growth from the current 4%-5% down to 2%-3%. Special  health cost control measures are therefore likely this year.

Meanwhile, the largest fund, the Helsana group, has posted a 2008 loss  of 218.0 million Swiss francs ($188.5 million) - its first deficit in  eight years - after problems in capital markets.