If approved by the competent public health authorities of the country of purchase, upon prescription, pharmaceutical products are reimbursable at a rate of 80%. For details on vaccines, please see the section ‘Vaccination’.
Homeopathic and phytotherapeutic products are also covered at a rate of 80%; however, an annual ceiling of CHF 1,500.- is applied.
Parapharmaceutical products are reimbursable only on recommendation by the Medical Adviser, following an accident.
Medication purchased online is only reimbursed if bought on a website of the country of residence or of work of the member. Online cross-border purchases are not reimbursable.
Pursuant to paragraph 7(g) in Rule VIII of the Internal Rules, no benefits are paid in respect of medication purchased without a prescription, pharmaceutical products not covered or not deemed to be reimbursable under the criteria laid down by the competent health authorities of the country of purchase.
 

For expensive medicine that costs at least CHF 500.- per month for a consecutive duration of at least three months, prior authorization of the Medical Adviser must be requested. Failure to submit a request for authorization in advance will result in reimbursement at only 80%, without the application of the Supplementary Plan.
Medicinal weight loss treatments are also covered under this category. Prior authorization is always required and may be granted on the basis of a valid prescription issued by an endocrinologist, indicating the patient’s height, weight, body mass index (BMI), and any comorbidities.
 

Vaccines recommended by WHO and local authorities are covered at an 80% rate, with the exception of flu and COVID-19 vaccines, which are reimbursed by UNSMIS at a 100% rate, regardless of the cost of the vaccine. However, UNSMIS reserves the right—as is the case with all medical expenses—to request further information on or refuse invoices that significantly exceed reasonable and customary pricing for a given type of treatment or medication in a given country.
Prescription is not required for the reimbursement of WHO’s Routine Immunization recommendations.  The list of these vaccines is available on WHO’s website.
If you require a vaccine that is not included in this list, kindly ask your doctor to provide a referral or prescription and attach it to your claim.
For information regarding specific vaccines required due to appointment, reassignment, mission travels to a new duty station, please contact your organization.