ABOUT THIS EDITION
Dear Insured Member,
We are delighted to present the November edition of the bimonthly UNSMIS newsletter!
In this issue we will discuss the following:
- Optical Care
- Reproductive Health – Maternity
- How To Contact Us
The newsletter will be sent to insured members via email, will be published on the website and will appear as a pop-up window on the eClaims Portal.
We hope you find this newsletter helpful.
Kind regards,
The UNSMIS Team
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This article provides a comprehensive overview of the reimbursement policies for optical care services. Before purchasing eyeglasses, lenses, or undergoing optical treatments or surgeries, it is essential to understand that reimbursement rules may vary significantly. Please refer to the details below:
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- Attention: for temporary staff with contracts of less than 3 months, optical care is excluded.
Eyeglasses & Lenses
Corrective eyeglasses (including contact lenses, bifocal or trifocal lenses or progressive lenses or any other corrective lens) are covered if they are certified as necessary by an oculist, ophthalmologist, optician, or optometrist.
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Optical Credits
Optical care is reimbursed at 80%, up to the number of credits available at the time of the purchase. Credit balances are updated at the beginning of each year.
Cross-border internet purchases are also eligible for reimbursement.
If the diopter is indicated on the invoice, no prescription is required. If the diopter is not indicated on the invoice, the prescription must indicate it. Failure to provide the diopter will result in the reimbursement being rejected.
You may also purchase multiple pairs of glasses up to the optical credits available.
It is imperative to note that expenses will always erode the credit of the ongoing year first (the year when the expenses were incurred). Should this be insufficient, any carry over credits from the previous year will be further eroded.
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You may check your up-to-date optical credit balance on the eClaims portal and in the UNSMIS mobile app.
The optical credit balance applies to the reimbursement of purchases for eyeglasses and lenses. Optical examinations and surgeries fall under different regulations.
Eye Surgeries
Cataract surgery is reimbursed at 90%, up to CHF 2,500 per eye. Additional costs for special lenses are covered from the available optical credit balance.
Femtosecond laser cataract surgery is also covered, with an additional reimbursable amount of CHF 1,500. Prior authorization from the Medical Adviser is required.
Refractive laser surgery of the cornea is reimbursed at 90%, with a lifetime ceiling of CHF 2,000 per eye. Prior authorization is not required for this procedure. Please note: refractive surgery for presbyopia is not reimbursable.
Intravitreal injections are reimbursed at 80%, with a ceiling of CHF 500 for the physician’s fees.
The Supplementary Plan does not apply to eye surgeries.
Visual Impairment:
Canes, smart canes, Braille printers, screen readers, and any technology-based devices that assist in the reading and mobility of a legally recognized blind or visually impaired individual, are reimbursed at a rate of 80%, with a balance of CHF 3,500 for a five-year period, which may also be used to cover repair costs. The Supplementary Plan is not applicable.
While prior authorization of the Medical Adviser is not necessary for the purchase of canes and smart canes, it is required for Braille printers and other technology-based devices.
To obtain prior authorization from UNSMIS’s Medical Adviser, proof must be submitted that the insured member is legally recognized as blind or visually impaired.
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REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH - MATERNITY
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What Is Covered During Maternity?
UNSMIS offers comprehensive coverage from prenatal visits to delivery and postnatal care to support our members during maternity. Please find below detailed guidance on the reimbursement process of medical costs at each stage.
Prenatal Care
Pregnancy is a time that often involves a variety of medical check-ups, tests, and supportive care to ensure the well-being of both the expectant mother and the baby. During pregnancy, the following tests and examinations are reimbursed at an 80% rate:
- Gynecological examinations
- Ultrasounds
- Obstetrician fees
In some cases, additional tests such as genetic analyses may be required. These are considered for reimbursement only if medically justified and authorized in advance by the Medical Adviser.
For further details about the reimbursement of genetic tests, please see benefit 26 – Genetic tests in our Rules.
UNSMIS also provides coverage for supportive services that play an important role in preparing for childbirth and ensuring proper care during and after pregnancy. With a valid medical prescription, the following services are also reimbursable:
- Preparation for birth/delivery classes
- Classes must be given by a recognized nurse or midwife in the relevant jurisdiction.
- Costs are reimbursed up to a total of CHF 200.
- Midwifery visits
- Nursing care
Since midwives are recognized medical professionals, their fees are reimbursable with a valid prescription. However, doula services are only eligible for reimbursement if the doula is a registered nurse.
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Delivery
UNSMIS provides reimbursement for delivery-related costs, whether the birth takes place in a medical facility or at home. The level of reimbursement depends on the setting and the type of medical professional involved.
Hospital or Clinic Delivery:
When delivery occurs in a hospital or clinic setting—whether vaginal or caesarean—the costs are reimbursed at a 90% rate with the application of the Supplementary Plan. This coverage also extends to the professional fees of the obstetrician, anaesthetist, and midwife during the hospital stay. These fees are likewise reimbursed at the same rate of 90%.
Any stay in a clinic or a hospital follows the same reimbursement methodology, requirements and limitations described in our rules about Hospitalization. Before proceeding with hospitalization, we recommend verifying whether the fees are consistent with usual, reasonable and customary pricing in the region.
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You may send a quote in advance to unsmis@un.org, allowing our team to review it.
Home deliveries are also recognized under UNSMIS coverage. When attended by a midwife, nurse, or physician, costs related to a home delivery are reimbursed at 80%.
Postnatal Care
Following childbirth, UNSMIS provides coverage for a range of postnatal care services to support the health and well-being of both the mother and the newborn.
- Midwife or nurse visits
A maximum of six postnatal sessions or home visits by a midwife or nurse are reimbursed at 80%, provided that the stay in the medical establishment does not exceed six days. To be eligible, the midwife must be a recognized healthcare professional in the concerned jurisdiction. These visits can be particularly beneficial for follow-up examinations, breastfeeding support, and general maternal and infant care.
- Breast pump purchase
The cost of purchasing a breast pump is reimbursed at 80%, up to CHF 200, upon presentation of a valid medical prescription issued prior to the purchase.
By covering these essential services, UNSMIS seeks to ease the transition to parenthood and promote the recovery and health of mothers and infants during the crucial postnatal period.
Therapy support for post-partum depression would be covered in accordance with the reimbursement rules governing Behavioral and Mental Health Care. For more information, please refer to the dedicated section of the Internal Rules as well as the May 2025 newsletter.
UNSMIS also provides comprehensive coverage for IVF treatment. Please refer to our Internal Rules as well as our newsletter from January 2025 for detailed information on reproductive health. |
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In-person Meeting
We welcome you Monday to Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Client Support Center (CSC), situated on Level 1 of Building H of the Palais des Nations. Click here to view an enlarged map of the location. If you need more details on how to access Building H, please click here.
Please note that our office will be closed on:
- Thursday, 25 December
- Thursday, 1 January
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ITU members
We welcome ITU members every second Monday, between 8:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., at ITU premises. Members are invited to book an appointment online via the ITU intranet page.
WMO members
We welcome WMO members every second Monday, between 8:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., at WMO premises. Members are invited to book an appointment online through the platform shared by Human Resources colleagues via email prior to our visits.
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Email
Insured members may also contact us via email at unsmis@un.org.
Teams Meeting
You can book an appointment online through your eClaims account. For more information, do not hesitate to visit our dedicated page on online appointment booking.
Phone
You may call us directly by phone at +41(0)22.917.9999 (option 1) every weekday—Monday to Friday—from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
eClaims Portal/UNSMIS Mobile App
We recommend submitting your claims online, either through our eClaims Portal (https://eclaims.unog.ch/ ) or our UNSMIS Mobile App available to download from the App Store and Google Play, by simply searching for “UNSMIS”. For further details, please visit: https://medical-insurance.unog.ch/en/e-claims-and-mobile-app
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Regular Mail:
If you need to send paper documents or are asked for our mailing address, please use:
UNSMIS
Avenue de la Paix, 8-14
1211 Genève 2
Suisse
Please note: We strongly encourage online claim submissions and advise against using postal mail unless specifically requested.
We look forward to connecting with you through any of our communication channels.
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