Referral guide by specialty
Short and checked: whether a medical prescription is needed and who pays. Cantonal information applies to the canton of Aargau.
Please choose a canton and a specialty to see the information.
Speech therapy
Prescription needed?
For basic insurance, yes: a medical prescription is required.
In Aargau, from kindergarten onwards, the local school authority assigns therapy with the parents’ consent.
Who pays?
Basic insurance only for disorders caused by a neurological or phoniatric condition.
In Aargau, before kindergarten, the early special education services are responsible. Services in recognised outpatient centres are free for parents.
Good to know
After 60 one-hour sessions within one year, continuation requires a reasoned report to the health insurer’s medical adviser. The prescribing doctor also reports on progress at least once a year.
At most twelve sessions per prescription, the first within eight weeks. Further sessions need a new prescription.
Sources: Health Care Benefits Ordinance (Fedlex, German)Canton of Aargau: speech therapy at school (German)Canton of Aargau: outpatient services for children (German)
Show specialists in the directory
Occupational therapy
Prescription needed?
Yes, a medical prescription is required.
Who pays?
Basic insurance if therapy helps with everyday independence in a physical illness or is part of psychiatric treatment.
Invalidity insurance for a recognised congenital condition before age 20.
Good to know
After 36 sessions, continuation requires a reasoned report to the health insurer’s medical adviser. If an invalidity insurance therapy continues beyond the 20th birthday, the health insurer covers it under this rule.
At most nine sessions per prescription, the first within eight weeks.
Sources: Health Care Benefits Ordinance (Fedlex, German)Leaflet 4.01 Invalidity insurance benefits (German)
Show specialists in the directory
Psychotherapy
Prescription needed?
Yes, psychological psychotherapy requires a medical prescription. Doctors with a postgraduate title in paediatrics, among others, may prescribe it.
Who pays?
Basic insurance if there is a medical prescription and the psychotherapist is approved.
Good to know
For crisis intervention or short-term therapy after a new diagnosis of a serious illness or in a life-threatening situation, any doctor may prescribe, then for at most ten sessions.
At most 15 sessions per prescription. Before they run out, the psychotherapist reports to the prescribing doctor.
If prescribed by a paediatrician, continuing after 30 sessions also requires a case assessment by a psychiatrist.
Sources: Health Care Benefits Ordinance (Fedlex, German)Federal Office of Public Health: psychological psychotherapy (German)
Show specialists in the directory
Physiotherapy
Prescription needed?
Yes, a medical prescription is required.
Who pays?
Basic insurance with a medical prescription.
Invalidity insurance for a recognised congenital condition before age 20.
Good to know
After 36 sessions, continuation requires a reasoned report to the health insurer’s medical adviser. Basic insurance covers hippotherapy for, among others, cerebral palsy and trisomy 21.
At most nine sessions per prescription, the first within five weeks.
Sources: Health Care Benefits Ordinance (Fedlex, German)Leaflet 4.01 Invalidity insurance benefits (German)
Show specialists in the directory
Psychomotor therapy
Prescription needed?
In Aargau, yes: a referral by a doctor is required.
Who pays?
In Aargau, free of charge if a recognised outpatient centre provides the therapy.
Good to know
Usually starts no earlier than kindergarten and ends at the latest when compulsory school ends.
Sources: Canton of Aargau: psychomotor therapy (German)
Show specialists in the directory
Special needs education
Prescription needed?
In Aargau, the head of the early education service decides on admission with the parents’ consent.
Who pays?
In Aargau, the canton and municipalities. Free for parents with recognised providers.
Good to know
Early special education usually takes place at home and ends at the latest two years after starting school.
Sources: Canton of Aargau: outpatient services for children (German)
Show specialists in the directory
Nutrition counselling
Prescription needed?
Yes, a medical prescription or referral is required.
Who pays?
Basic insurance for certain illnesses, such as metabolic or digestive diseases, malnutrition or food allergies.
Good to know
After twelve sessions, continuation requires a reasoned proposal to the health insurer’s medical adviser. For overweight and obesity it is also covered within a structured multiprofessional therapy for children and adolescents.
At most six sessions per prescription. The prescription can be renewed.
Sources: Health Care Benefits Ordinance (Fedlex, German)
Show specialists in the directory
Breastfeeding counselling
Prescription needed?
The ordinance does not list a medical prescription as a requirement.
Who pays?
Basic insurance for at most three sessions, without deductible or co-payment.
Good to know
In the 56 days after birth, basic insurance also covers up to 10 home visits by the midwife, up to 16 after a first birth, preterm birth, multiple birth or caesarean section.
It is covered if given by midwives or nurses specially trained in breastfeeding counselling.
Sources: Health Care Benefits Ordinance (Fedlex, German)Federal Health Insurance Act (Fedlex, German)
Show specialists in the directory
For orientation only, without guarantee, as of 30 October 2026. The insurer or the responsible office decides on cost coverage in each case. For children, basic insurance charges no deductible, and half the maximum co-payment applies. Federal Health Insurance Act (Fedlex, German)
Kinderwegweiser