Reimbursed therapeutic treatments ASCA RME — Adriaesthetic Geneva
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Wellness & Insurance · · 9 min read

Reimbursed treatments in Switzerland: the complete ASCA and RME guide

We often believe that caring for our body is a choice. A pleasure we grant ourselves — or postpone. Yet when a treatment touches the nervous system, the circulation, the deep balance of the organism, it ceases to be a luxury. It becomes an act of health. And in Switzerland, your complementary insurance can support you in this.

This guide explains everything you need to know about ASCA and RME certifications — what they mean, which treatments are covered, how to obtain your reimbursement, and how much you can truly save.

ASCA and RME: what are these certifications?

In Switzerland, complementary medicine is governed by two principal certification bodies. Two distinct labels, one shared objective: to guarantee that practising therapists are trained, competent, and held to strict ethical standards.

ASCA — Swiss Foundation for Complementary Medicine. Founded in 1991, ASCA certifies therapists across more than 130 disciplines — from therapeutic massage to reflexology, from lymphatic drainage to aromatherapy. To obtain certification, practitioners must demonstrate recognised training (between 150 and 600 hours depending on the discipline), supervised practice, and a commitment to continuing education.

RME — Register of Empirical Medicine. The RME operates on a similar principle, with sometimes even more demanding requirements regarding training hours. Created in 1999, it is recognised by virtually all Swiss complementary insurers. The two certifications are not mutually exclusive — on the contrary, holding both is a mark of rigour and versatility.

At Adriaesthetic, our team holds both certifications. This means maximum recognition by insurers — and for you, optimised reimbursement.

ASCA and RME are not mere labels. They are the promise of rigorous, trained, responsible care.

Which treatments are reimbursable?

Not all practices qualify. ASCA/RME reimbursement applies to treatments with a therapeutic dimension — those that work on the body holistically, beyond pure aesthetics.

Here are the eligible treatments we offer at Adriaesthetic:

  • Therapeutic and relaxation massage — work on muscular tension, the nervous system, circulation. Therapeutic massage goes beyond relaxation: it addresses postural imbalances, chronic pain, states of deep stress.
  • Manual lymphatic drainage — stimulation of the lymphatic system to promote toxin elimination, reduce oedema, and strengthen immunity. Particularly indicated for heavy legs, water retention, or post-operative support.
  • Plantar reflexology — stimulation of reflex zones in the foot, connected to the body's organs and systems. A holistic approach that acts on the entire organism through the feet.
  • Chi Nei Tsang — deep abdominal massage of Taoist origin. It works on the internal organs, digestion, and emotional tension stored in the belly. A therapeutic treatment that touches both the physical and the emotional.
  • Energetic rebalancing — harmonisation of the body's energy flows. A subtle yet powerful approach working on meridians, chakras, the vital field. Recognised by insurers as complementary therapy.
  • Holistic aromatherapy — therapeutic use of essential oils, through the skin or by inhalation. Each protocol is bespoke, tailored to the needs of body and spirit.

Important: purely aesthetic treatments — HydraFacial, photorejuvenation, cryolipolysis, microblading — are not covered by ASCA/RME reimbursement. However, our rituals that incorporate a therapeutic component may qualify for partial reimbursement on the therapeutic portion.

How much can you save?

The reimbursement rate varies according to your complementary insurance contract. Most cover between 40% and 60% of ASCA/RME certified treatments. Some premium contracts reimburse up to 80%.

Here are concrete examples using Adriaesthetic prices — calculated on a 60% reimbursement basis:

  • Chi Nei Tsang (CHF 120) — reimbursed up to CHF 72, actual cost CHF 48
  • Energetic rebalancing (CHF 150) — reimbursed up to CHF 90, actual cost CHF 60
  • Lymphatic drainage (CHF 120) — reimbursed up to CHF 72, actual cost CHF 48
  • Plantar reflexology (CHF 120) — reimbursed up to CHF 72, actual cost CHF 48
  • Aromatherapy (CHF 110) — reimbursed up to CHF 66, actual cost CHF 44
  • Therapeutic massage (CHF 130) — reimbursed up to CHF 78, actual cost CHF 52

The cure effect. It is over a programme of multiple sessions that the savings become significant. A Therapeutic Reset Cure of 6 Chi Nei Tsang sessions (CHF 720 total) can be reimbursed up to CHF 432. A lymphatic drainage programme of 6 sessions represents the same saving. Long-term therapeutic support becomes fully accessible — without compromising on quality.

Caring for oneself is not a privilege. It is a right your insurance can support.

How to get reimbursed, step by step

The process is simpler than you might imagine. Here is the complete pathway:

  1. Check your coverage. Consult your complementary insurance policy — or call your insurer directly. The question to ask: "Are ASCA and RME treatments covered by my contract, and at what percentage?" Each insurer has its own conditions — reimbursement rate, annual ceiling, number of sessions. Take note of these details.
  2. Book your treatment. Choose a therapeutic treatment at Adriaesthetic. No medical prescription is required for ASCA/RME treatments — this is one of the major advantages of these certifications. You are free to consult whenever you wish.
  3. Receive your therapeutic receipt. After your treatment, we issue a receipt compliant with ASCA and RME requirements. It includes the certified practitioner number, the treatment description, date, price — everything your insurer needs.
  4. Submit to your insurer. Send the receipt to your complementary insurer — by post, online, or via your insurer's app. Reimbursement typically arrives within 2 to 4 weeks.

That is all. No complex administrative procedures, no pre-authorisation, no additional forms. The system is designed to be seamless — provided you consult a certified therapist.

O-LRNIS: the new mandatory certification for laser

Since June 2024, a new regulation governs treatments using laser and intense pulsed light devices in Switzerland: the O-LRNIS (Ordinance on Protection against Non-Ionising Radiation). This certification is now mandatory for any professional practising laser hair removal, photorejuvenation, or other intense light-based treatments.

What does this regulation change for you?

  • Enhanced safety — practitioners must demonstrate specific training in laser physics, dermatology, and risk management. No more institutes performing laser treatments without adequate training.
  • Traceability — every device must be declared, every protocol documented. Treatment parameters are adapted to each skin type according to the Fitzpatrick classification.
  • Sector professionalisation — O-LRNIS distinguishes serious institutes from improvised practices. It is a quality filter that protects clients.

At Adriaesthetic, our team has been O-LRNIS certified since the regulation came into effect. Our laser equipment is compliant, our protocols documented, our training current. We view this not as a constraint, but as a commitment to the safety of every person who entrusts themselves to our care.

Note: laser treatments are not reimbursed through ASCA/RME insurance (they fall under aesthetics, not complementary therapy). However, O-LRNIS certification is an additional mark of seriousness that complements our therapeutic certifications.

All reimbursable treatments at Adriaesthetic

Our vocation is to make therapeutic support accessible. Here, at a glance, are all the treatments your complementary insurance may cover:

Each treatment can be part of an individual programme or one of our therapeutic cures — for sustained support, optimised reimbursement, and results that reach deep.

Not sure where to begin? Would you like to understand which treatments are best suited to your needs — and most advantageous with your coverage? Our personalised consultation is designed precisely for this. A moment of listening, guidance, clarity.

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