Intermediation in the healthcare system: the example of Switzerland

Abstract

The paper analyzes the situation of intermediaries and their business models in the Swiss health system. Various intermediary roles are positioned within the value-added chain of the healthcare system. Particular attention is paid to cost-benefit relationships of intermediation for partners of the intermediary and for the intermediary itself. With regard to the connection between healthcare providers and health insurers, three intermediaries – namely the Trust Centers, Medidata, and H-Net – are featured in greater detail and studied in terms of differences of their business and revenue model.