Coordination of benefits
Coordination of benefits determines how multiple social insurance schemes interact to prevent gaps, overlaps and excessive compensation.
In Swiss social insurance, one event may trigger claims under several schemes, such as accident insurance, disability insurance, occupational pensions and health insurance. Coordination rules allocate responsibility, determine priority of benefits, prevent overcompensation and regulate recourse between insurers. They also address timing issues, advance payments and reimbursement when the competent insurer is uncertain. International coordination adds rules on applicable legislation, aggregation of periods and export of benefits. Practical outcomes depend on the insured risk, employment status, residence and the type of benefit claimed.