Who this page is for
Complementary therapy, alternative medicine, and therapy practices in Switzerland
Tarif 590 is the nationwide list of outpatient complementary medicine services under Swiss supplementary insurance (VVG). It assigns methods, procedures, and techniques to standardized tariff positions so invoices and reimbursement receipts can be read by patients and insurers.
Important: Tarif 590 is separate from quality labels and cost approvals. Reimbursement can depend on the insurer, supplementary insurance, recognition, method, ZSR number, and correct invoicing.
What Tarif 590 actually regulates
The tariff describes billable complementary medicine services with tariff codes. It does not define the price of a treatment; it standardizes the name and structure of the service.
For practices this matters because wrong or outdated tariff positions can lead to questions, corrections, or rejected reimbursement claims. Practice software must support the current tariff version and transfer invoice data correctly into the reimbursement receipt.
- Tariff positions describe services; reimbursement is reviewed separately.
- The invoice must match method, recognition, and ZSR number.
- Versions can change; the software in use must stay current.
What remains separate from Tarif 590
Professional recognition by EMR, ASCA, NVS/SPAK, or another body remains a separate topic. The same applies to cantonal permission, liability insurance, patient information, and verification of insurance coverage.
The most common mistake is assuming that a correct tariff code automatically means an insurer will pay. In practice insurers may check recognition, method, date, patient data, treatment duration, ZSR number, and the insurance product.
Software setup
Tarif-590-capable practice software must do more than create invoices. Patient data, services, treatment dates, ZSR number, payment information, reimbursement receipt, and QR payment section need to fit together.
Before the first live invoice, the practice checks recognition data, ZSR data, bank details, and tariff positions.
Check before the first Tarif 590 invoice
- Recognition and registered method are current.
- ZSR number and practice details are stored correctly.
- The current Tarif 590 version is available in the software.
- Reimbursement receipt and QR payment section are checked with realistic test data.
- Patients understand that reimbursement depends on their supplementary insurance.
Common mistakes
- Treating Tarif 590 as equivalent to EMR, ASCA, or NVS/SPAK recognition.
- Continuing to use outdated PDF forms or tariff positions.
- Representing multiple locations, methods, or ZSR numbers imprecisely.
- Not testing the reimbursement receipt before the first real invoice.
Practice questions
Is Tarif 590 mandatory for every therapist?
It is the standard used for many outpatient complementary medicine services billed through supplementary insurance. Whether and how it applies to a specific practice depends on method, recognition, insurer, and information from the applicable professional association.
Does Tarif 590 guarantee reimbursement?
No. Tarif 590 standardizes billing. Reimbursement depends on the insurance contract, recognition, method, and insurer review.
Do I also need a ZSR number?
The ZSR number is central in many billing processes. Check directly with SASIS or the responsible body whether your practice needs one and which number is correct.
Set up Tarif 590 in PRAXSYS
In PRAXSYS, services, patient data, QR invoices, and reimbursement receipts can be managed together.
View Tarif 590 softwareRelated topics
Identification
ZSR Number
The ZSR number identifies medical service providers in the Swiss provider register. For billing and insurer communication it must match the practice, activity, and current register status.
Recognition
EMR
EMR is a quality label and directory for empirical medicine. Patients and insurers can use it when checking recognition; invoices still need complete and consistent billing data.
Recognition
ASCA
ASCA is a quality label for complementary medicine. Practices need to keep recognition, continuing education, method, and invoicing clearly separated.
Association and quality
NVS / SPAK
NVS is a professional association for naturopathy and complementary therapy; SPAK is the quality label in the NVS environment. Membership, label, and invoice data must be understood separately.
Payments
QR-Bill
The QR-bill combines readable payment data with the Swiss QR Code. It only becomes reliable when master data, invoices, and payment tracking fit together.
Sources and further reading
Status, responsibilities, and details can change. For binding information, consult the responsible authorities, registries, insurers, associations, and professional advisors.