Allianz Care, CSS, Visana and Zur Rose Group in ground-breaking digital healthcare platform partnership

Zurich, 13 November 2020 – For the first time in Switzerland, partners from different areas of healthcare will join forces to establish an integrated digital healthcare platform*⁾

Officially launching in the Swiss market in Q2 2021, the platform will provide Swiss residents with interactive and straightforward access to healthcare. The platform is open to all players in the healthcare sector – insurers, doctors, hospitals, pharmacies and other providers – and aims to deliver higher-quality treatment and more efficient processes. Initial financing for the establishment of a new independent company to create the platform is being provided by the partners, Allianz Care, CSS, Visana and Zur Rose Group.  

The independent company sets a new benchmark in Swiss healthcare, laying the foundations for digitally-supported, integrated care across Switzerland. The platform supports clients in organizing their personal healthcare at all stages of treatment. Patients have access to individually-tailored, quality-assured healthcare services with a single click. These are available round the clock on a smartphone app. For example, once users respond to quick and easy-to-answer general questions on health, they can use a digital symptom checker for an initial diagnosis in the event of illness, request medical support, arrange a doctor’s appointment, order medication or access additional services.

An open and neutral platform
CSS and Visana will offer their members use of the platform along with their insurance solutions. It is also open to all other Swiss health insurers. At the same time, the platform is geared to the needs of service providers, who are actively involved in its further development. For example, the swiss physician network MediX is planning to use the platform in the future, as stated by its President, Dr. med. Felix Huber: “This undertaking stands out from other initiatives, as it proactively integrates the perspectives of physicians in the development and detailing of the platform”. For the first time, physicians will have a simple, structured, digital interaction with patients and other players along the treatment pathway. By enabling improved treatment and process efficiency, this new digital customer interface aims to lower healthcare costs and, by extension, premiums.

The platform will be developed to the highest standards of data protection and security. Healthcare data is stored in a secure environment, independently from insurance companies, where the insured decides who has access to what data. Some of the technology that runs the platform will be newly developed, with the Zur Rose Group contributing its extensive expertise as a technology provider in building up e-healthcare ecosystems.

Market entry, with an initial service offering is planned for Q2 2021.

*) Completion and market entry are subject to approval by the relevant competition authorities

Contact:
Martin Arnold, Communicators AG
Direct line +41 44 455 56 82 | email: martin.arnold@communicators.ch

About the companies providing funding

Allianz Care

Allianz Care provides international health, life and disability cover and services to a wide range of customers, including multinational companies, intergovernmental organizations and private individuals and families. Our mission is to ensure that customers have access to quality healthcare through our support, care and commitment to go the extra mile. We are a truly global health partner ensuring fast and simple access to the best advice, treatment and value for our customers. Allianz Care is the international health brand of Allianz Partners, a world leader in B2B2C insurance and assistance, offering global solutions that span international health and life, travel insurance, automotive and assistance. For more information see allianzcare.com.

CSS

CSS Group was founded in 1899 and is based in Lucerne. The company can look back on a rich heritage and insures 1.78 million people; premiums of around CHF 6.52 billion make it one of Switzerland’s leading health and property insurers. CSS is the market leader in basic insurance, having earned the trust of 1.385 million people. With over 100 agencies across Switzerland and some 2,700 employees, it is in close touch with its insured members. CSS provides its customers with information that offers guidance and support when making decision on matters of health. For further information please see css.ch.

Visana Group

The Visana Group is one of the largest Swiss health and accident insurers. It offers mandatory health insurance under the Health Insurance Act (HIA), supplementary and non-life insurance under the Insurance Policies Act (IPA) and accident insurance under the Accident Insurance Act (AIA). Visana insures private customers (individuals and families) as well as corporate clients (companies, public institutions and associations). For the latter, it offers wage loss and accident insurance. In total, the Visana Group has around 846,000 private customers. Of these, 631,800 have their basic insurance with Visana. In addition, there are 16,000 corporate clients. The Visana Group employs roughly 1,390 people at its head office in Bern and in some 60 offices all across Switzerland, two-thirds of them female. Premiums amount to CHF 3.5 billion. For further information please see visana.ch.

Zur Rose Group

The Swiss Zur Rose Group is Europe’s largest e-commerce pharmacy and one of the leading medical wholesalers in Switzerland. With its business model it provides high-quality, safe and cost-effective pharmaceutical care. It is also characterized by the continuous further development of digital services in the field of drug management using AI-supported applications and new technology. Zur Rose is furthermore actively driving ahead its positioning as a comprehensive provider of healthcare services. By creating a digital healthcare platform – the Zur Rose ecosystem – it networks products and digital services from qualified providers. For further information please see zurrosegroup.com.