Author
Every person living in Switzerland, including rejected asylum seekers, must be insured against illness,[1] and therefore has access to the basic health system.
Cantons may limit the choice of insurers and of physicians and hospitals for asylum seekers and temporarily admitted persons.
Apart from this restriction, the basic insurance and the covered treatments do not depend on the status but on the needs. Mental health problems are also covered if a psychiatrist (not psychologist) is involved; however, there are limited capacities for adequate treatment in some fields.
Specialised treatment for victims of torture or traumatised beneficiaries or people with mental health problems is available, but the capacity is way too small. There is not only a lack of specialised psychiatrists but the number of interpreters and funding for interpretation for this purpose are insufficient. Especially intercultural interpretation would be needed for specialised treatment of mental health problems.
Language barriers are relevant for any kind of health care, including problems to fill out the paperwork.
[1] Article 3 Health Insurance Act (HIA).