Swiss acupuncturist quits over billing system, moves to Sri Lanka

After decades of practising acupuncture, Dr Armin Koch has closed his medical office in Sarnen, canton Obwalden. The 62-year-old physician, known for his dedication to Traditional Chinese Medicine, made the decision following his refusal to adopt Switzerland's new TARDOC billing system. Last week, he and his family left for Sri Lanka, where he will continue his training in acupuncture.

Koch's path to medicine was not a straight one. Initially, he worked as a ski instructor before retraining as a secondary school teacher. Only later did he follow his father's footsteps into medicine, specialising in Traditional Chinese Medicine with a focus on acupuncture. His belief in the body's natural healing abilities shaped his approach, viewing his role as creating the right conditions for recovery.

Over the years, Koch became known for his work with needles—though not always flawlessly. On at least one occasion, a patient discovered a forgotten needle in her hair after treatment. Despite such incidents, his passion for acupuncture never wavered. The introduction of TARDOC, Switzerland's updated tariff system for medical billing, became a turning point. Koch refused to comply with the new regulations, which include revised invoicing procedures and billing standards. Rather than adjust, he chose to shut his practice permanently. With no available data on how TARDOC has affected the number of medical offices nationwide, his case remains an individual response to the system's challenges.

The closure of Koch's practice marks the end of an era for his patients in Sarnen. His departure to Sri Lanka shifts his focus entirely to further acupuncture training. Meanwhile, the TARDOC system continues to roll out, with delays in invoicing and updates still being addressed across Swiss medical practices.