Swiss doctor closes practice after rejecting new TARDOC billing rules

Dr. Armin Koch, a long-time physician in Sarnen, canton Obwalden, has permanently closed his medical practice. His decision came after decades of blending conventional medicine with acupuncture—a field he deeply believed in. The move follows his refusal to adopt Switzerland's new TARDOC tariff system, which reshaped billing procedures for doctors.

Koch's career path was far from traditional. Before medicine, he worked as a ski instructor and later trained as a secondary school teacher. Eventually, he followed his father's footsteps into the medical profession, though his approach remained unconventional.

For years, he specialised in acupuncture, even travelling to Sri Lanka with his family to deepen his training in Traditional Chinese Medicine. His philosophy treated both conventional and alternative methods as complementary—each offering a different way to support the body's natural healing. Despite his dedication, Koch occasionally faced mishaps, such as needles being left in patients. Yet his commitment never wavered. He saw his role as creating the right conditions for recovery, whether through Western medicine or acupuncture. The final push to retire came when Switzerland introduced the TARDOC tariff system in January 2026. Koch chose not to adapt, leading to the closure of his practice last week.

Koch's departure leaves a gap in Sarnen's medical community, particularly for patients who relied on his acupuncture expertise. While the broader impact of TARDOC on Swiss doctors remains unclear, his case highlights the challenges some practitioners face under new billing regulations. The practice in Obwalden will not reopen.