TARDOC is coming – what healthcare administrators need to know now

A new tariff is shaking up day-to-day clinic operations.

TARDOC is currently the number one topic of conversation in many practices, often squeezed in between phone calls or hashed out over coffee breaks. “What does this mean for us?” or “So do we have to completely overhaul our billing practices?” are questions that come up more and more.

In this edition of the newsletter, we’ll discuss the most important questions and answers surrounding the new TARDOC tariff to give you the best possible overview.

What is TARDOC and why is it being introduced?

TARDOC is the new medical tariff in Switzerland. The goal is to replace the outdated TARMED tariff, which has been used for over 20 years and no longer aligns with today’s clinical processes.

TARDOC was developed by the Swiss Medical Association (FMH) and curafutura in order to make medical services more transparent, fair and relevant to actual medical practice.

In short, the aim of the new tariff is to reflect how medicine actually works today – with modern instrumentation, new treatment methods and a clear-eyed view of the work that medical teams do.

When does TARDOC go into effect?

TARDOC will be launched on 1 January 2026.

Beginning 10 November 2025, users of our Axenita medical practice software will be able to apply the new tariff to their day-to-day work and begin familiarizing themselves with the new tariff structure.

What specifically will change for healthcare administrators?

For you as an administrator, the main thing that will change is the way services are recorded.

New tariff items will be described in greater detail and will more precisely reflect activities like assistance, preparation, technical support and administrative tasks.

That means you will have to provide more detail when documenting what you do; but at the same time, it also means that your work as an administrator will be more visible and assessed more fairly.

New tariff items – more clarity and structure

TARDOC places more emphasis on time, difficulty and responsibility in evaluating services.

The new structure eliminates or simplifies many old, unclear items from TARMED, introducing new flat rates and clearly defined technical services.

The result will be a better overview – even if it may initially take some getting used to.

Please note: negotiations and updates to the flat rates are still ongoing. For this reason, please consult https://oaat-otma.ch/ to stay up to date.

Will TARDOC better reflect the work that administrators do?

Yes – that’s one of the key goals of TARDOC.

The new system will yield a more detailed record of the technical, organizational and communications work that administrators do.

Not only will it generate greater understanding for your work – it will also demonstrate the critical role you play in clinic operations.

Support for the transition

A variety of associations offer many training opportunities, webinars and checklists. One example is the tariff browser from FMH and the Ärztekasse company.

Did you know that this tool can show you TARDOC items based on your current TARMED items?

And did you know that, while the tool shows you equivalent TARDOC items, it does not identify new billable items?

A number of different companies can help you with exactly these questions so that you can do more than just prevent a loss to your practice – you will also learn how to optimize your invoicing and make it efficient. 

TARDOC and medical practice software

The software you use in your practice will be adapted to display and invoice the new tariff items correctly.

That will mean a few updates and adjustments at first.

Contact your clinic’s software provider early to learn how the switch will play out and whether you will be able to apply TARDOC even before the tariff is officially launched on 1 January 2026.

If you use our Axenita medical practice software, you will be able to apply TARDOC beginning mid-November 2025 (precise date is still to be announced).

Teamwork

The same maxim applies to physicians and administrators alike: TARDOC works best when everyone works as a team.

Recording and documenting information correctly are going to be everyone’s job.

The more clearly services are allocated, the smoother invoicing will be and the more fairly work will be assessed.

How can you get ready?

• Read information from associations to stay up to date. TARDOC will continue to be updated routinely, and new release notes will be published on a regular basis. A good address for keeping informed is https://oaat-otma.ch/
• Attend webinars and trainings.
• Discuss new procedures with your team.
• Practice with sample invoices to feel more comfortable.

The more familiar you are with the structure, the easier it will be for you to get started.

Initial experience in pilot clinics

Initial test clinics have found that TARDOC is more modern and relevant to practice work, but it requires more precise entries.

Numerous administrators have reported that, after a brief period of adjusting to the system, they had a better understanding of how services are assessed, which improves transparency and motivation in the team.

In summary: the change is worth it.

Even if switching to TARDOC takes some effort at the beginning, it’s a step in the right direction.

The system is a more realistic, fair and clear reflection of the work done in clinical settings. And most importantly, the critical role that administrators play is more visible than ever before.

So don’t worry, be curious, stay informed and join us each step of the way.

After all, if you’re well prepared, you’ll benefit the most from the new system.