Weko closes preliminary investigation against Santésuisse
Under pressure from the secretariat of the Competition Commission (ComCo), the health insurance association cancels an agreement regarding customer advertising. The Competition Commission then closed the preliminary investigation.
In June 2011, Santésuisse implemented an agreement in the area of compulsory health insurance. It provided for the waiver of call center services, the reduction of compensation for brokers and intermediaries and the definition of quality requirements. While the regulation of quality requirements does not pose a problem under antitrust law, the analysis of the other two measures revealed indications of a possible restriction of competition.
According to a press release issued on Monday, the ComCo Secretariat is of the opinion that health insurers must have access to information. Only in this way can customers benefit from the best offers when choosing their health insurer and effective competition be maintained, as provided for by law.
According to the Competition Commission, a coordinated reduction in advertising and information for policyholders could have had a negative impact on premiums and market transparency. This would also have been contrary to the principles of the Health Insurance Act (KVG).
As Santésuisse canceled the agreement, the preliminary investigation could now be discontinued without consequences.
