On this page, you’ll find our General Terms and Conditions (GTC) and our privacy statement. An important note: OnlineDoctor is not suitable for acute health problems such as severe, sudden-onset symptoms. In life-threatening situations, we explicitly advise you to alert your local emergency services immediately.

These General Terms and Conditions are divided into:  

A: General Terms and Conditions Between OnlineDoctor and Users – Mediation Agreement  

B: General Terms and Conditions between Dermatologists and Users – Treatment Agreement 

C: General Terms and Conditions Between Users, Partners and OnlineDoctor 

 

General Terms and Conditions Between OnlineDoctor and Users – Mediation Agreement  

1.General 

OnlineDoctor AG (“OnlineDoctor”) operates the online mediation platform onlinedoctor.ch (“platform”). Using the platform, private individuals residing in Switzerland (“users”) can have a change in their skin assessed by participating, federally approved dermatologists (“dermatologists”) by providing one of these dermatologists with information about and photos of the affected area of skin via the platform. The dermatologist assesses the affected skin area based on the information and photos and gives a recommendation for action.  

The dermatologists offer the assessment on their own behalf and under their own responsibility.  

OnlineDoctor itself does not provide any assessment, but merely mediates the conclusion of an agreement between a user and one of the participating dermatologists through the platform (“Mediation Agreement”). For this Mediation Agreement, the General Terms and Conditions (“GTC”) in this Section A apply. If a user submits an enquiry to one of the participating dermatologists to assess a skin change, a treatment agreement is concluded between that user and the dermatologist (“Treatment Agreement”). The GTC in Section B apply to this Treatment Agreement. OnlineDoctor does not become a contracting party to the Treatment Agreement.  

2. Functioning of the platform; conclusion of the mediation agreement  

A requirement to use the OnlineDoctor service is that the user has a mobile phone number from a country in the Schengen area. If the user wishes to obtain an assessment, he/she must first verify his/her mobile phone number. He/she then chooses one of the participating dermatologists via the platform. Profiles of participating dermatologists can be viewed on the platform. The profile information also contains details about whether the dermatologist selected can issue electronic prescriptions (“e-prescriptions“) via the platform. After selecting a dermatologist, the user completes the questionnaire, uploads images of the affected skin area to the platform and provides personal details and payment information. The user now has the opportunity to review and accept the GTC and send his/her enquiry for assessment. With the submission of the enquiry, a mediation agreement with OnlineDoctor comes into effect. At the same time, a treatment agreement is concluded with the chosen dermatologist (cf. Section B, Para. 2).  

OnlineDoctor transmits photos and information to the selected dermatologist. The dermatologist will make an assessment based on this information, usually within 48 hours. The user receives an email with a link to the assessment and recommended treatment. The assessment and recommended course of action can only be accessed via a patient login (email address and password) created by the user when creating the case. As an alternative the patient can log in from the login area of the patient account and here the patient can retrieve the exam and the treatment recommendation. 

 If the user has selected a dermatologist who can issue e-prescriptions and this is medically necessary, the assessment will also contain an e-prescription. The e-prescription consists of a PDF file with a QR code that the user can collect via his/her smartphone in a pharmacy in Switzerland. The OnlineDoctor website has an overview for users of pharmacies that already have the technical infrastructure to fill e-prescriptions. 

3. Remuneration 

For each assessment, the user pays a flat rate of CHF 55 (incl. VAT). This flat-rate payment includes (i) the mediation fee that the user owes to OnlineDoctor for the use of the platform and the mediation of a dermatologist and (ii) the case fee that the user owes to the dermatologist for making an assessment. The flat-rate payment is due upon conclusion of the treatment agreement, i.e. with submission of the enquiry to a dermatologist for assessment. OnlineDoctor collects the flat-rate payment by credit card, Twint or PostFinance Card as the user chooses, retains the mediation fee and forwards the case fee to the dermatologist, who has previously authorised OnlineDoctor to collect the case fee. The flat rate must still be paid even if the dermatologist cannot make an assessment due to low photo quality.  

4. Archiving and storage 

It is the user’s sole responsibility to archive photos, other health data and the dermatologist’s assessment if the user so desires. The assessment and recommended course of action are permanently available in the patient account and can be exported from there and saved on your own system. 

5. Data protection 

OnlineDoctor collects and processes the patient’s data on behalf of the selected dermatologist. With regard to data protection, OnlineDoctor’s privacy statement applies. The statement can be accessed here [Link]. The health data entered into OnlineDoctor will be used by the selected dermatologist to create a recommendation for action. The user’s payment details are used for billing. All the data collected as part of the registration and during use are processed in anonymised form for the operation of OnlineDoctor and for the purpose of documenting medical symptoms. These data are processed exclusively by OnlineDoctor and not disclosed to third parties. These data also form the basis for statistical assessments that are performed with aggregated data. The symptoms entered by the user are not assessed in a personalised manner. The user gives his/her consent for the processing of his/her data to this extent. 

The user acknowledges the privacy statement. By accepting these GTC, the user also agrees to the terms of the privacy statement.  

6. Liability 

OnlineDoctor excludes its liability (including liability for its auxiliary personnel, employees, suppliers and subcontractors) for all claims arising out of or in connection with the platform (including contractual and non-contractual claims) to the fullest extent permitted by law, in particular for damages due to transmission errors, technical defects, interruptions or faults. Interruption-free or error-free operation of the platform is not guaranteed. 

OnlineDoctor is not liable for claims arising from or in connection with the treatment agreement; in particular, OnlineDoctor is not liable for any damages caused by the dermatologist’s assessment of the affected skin area.  

7. Final provisions 

Rights and obligations under the agreement between OnlineDoctor and the user may be assigned and transferred to a third party by OnlineDoctor at any time. The user is entitled to this right only with the written consent of OnlineDoctor. 

Any amendment or supplement to these GTC agreed between OnlineDoctor and the user must be made in writing. This also applies to the above requirement regarding the written form. 

8. Jurisdiction and applicable law 

Subject to mandatory place of jurisdiction, all matters arising out of or in connection with the GTC or the platform are the responsibility of the courts that have jurisdiction over OnlineDoctor’s registered office. Swiss law applies (with the exception of the conflict of laws rule). 

Version of: 1 June 2025 

B: General Terms and Conditions Between Users and Dermatologists – Treatment Agreement 

1.General 

OnlineDoctor AG (“OnlineDoctor”) operates the online mediation platform onlinedoctor.ch (“platform”). Using the platform, private individuals residing in Switzerland (“users”) can have a change in their skin assessed by participating, federally approved dermatologists (“dermatologists”) by providing one of these dermatologists with information about and photos of the affected area of skin via the platform. The dermatologist assesses the affected skin area based on the information and photos and gives a recommendation for action.  

The dermatologists offer the assessment on their own behalf and under their own responsibility. OnlineDoctor itself does not provide any assessment, but merely mediates the conclusion of an agreement between a user and one of the participating dermatologists (“Mediation Agreement”). For the Mediation Agreement, the General Terms and Conditions (“GTC”) in Section A apply. If a user submits an enquiry via the platform to one of the participating dermatologists to assess a skin change, a treatment agreement is concluded between that user and the dermatologist (“Treatment Agreement”). The GTC in this Section B apply to this Treatment Agreement. OnlineDoctor does not become a contracting party to the Treatment Agreement.  

2. Conclusion of the treatment agreement  

The treatment agreement between the user and the dermatologist comes into effect when the user sends the enquiry via the platform to the dermatologist for the evaluation of a skin change.  

3. Scope of service  

The dermatologist will, based on the photos and health data uploaded to the platform, usually make a specialist diagnosis of the affected skin area within 48 hours and will recommend a course of action (e.g. dermatologist treatment required / not required). The user receives an email with a link to the assessment and recommended treatment. The assessment and recommended course of action can only be accessed via a patient login (email address and password) created by the user when creating the case. As an alternative the patient can log in from the login area of the patient account and here the patient can retrieve the exam and the treatment recommendation.  

Where this is medically necessary in the specific case and the dermatologist, according to his/her profile information, is able to issue e-prescriptions via the platform, the assessment will also contain an e-prescription for the medication the user needs to treat his/her skin problem. The user can download the e-prescription and collect it in a pharmacy of his/her choice.  

The specialist assessment is based solely on the information and photos of the affected skin area that the user sends to the dermatologist via the platform. It is the user’s responsibility to ensure that the uploaded photos and submitted health data are up-to-date, accurate and complete. The user is responsible for the consequences of outdated, incorrect or incomplete photos or data. 

The user acknowledges that the platform is not suitable for the systematic observation of skin changes (no “monitoring”). The service provided by the dermatologist is limited to a one-time recommendation for action, on a case-by-case basis. Moreover, the dermatologist is not obligated to take any further measures.  

4. Remuneration  

For each assessment, the user pays a flat rate of CHF 55 (incl. VAT). This flat-rate payment includes (i) the mediation fee that the user owes to OnlineDoctor for the use of the platform and the mediation of a dermatologist and (ii) the case fee that the user owes to the dermatologist for making an assessment. The flat-rate payment is due upon conclusion of the treatment agreement, i.e. with submission of the enquiry to a dermatologist for assessment. OnlineDoctor collects the flat-rate payment by credit card, Twint or PostFinance Card as the user chooses, retains the mediation fee and forwards the case fee to the dermatologist, who has previously authorised OnlineDoctor to collect the case fee. The flat rate must still be paid even if the dermatologist cannot make an assessment due to low photo quality. 

5. Data protection 

With regard to data protection, OnlineDoctor’s privacy statement applies. The statement can be accessed here [Link]. The user acknowledges the privacy statement. By accepting these GTC, the user also agrees to the terms of the privacy statement.  

6. Liability  

The dermatologist excludes his/her liability for all claims arising out of or in connection with the treatment agreement (including contractual and non-contractual claims) to the maximum extent permitted by law.  

The user acknowledges that the dermatological assessment depends on the accuracy, quality and completeness of the uploaded photos and submitted health data. An initial assessment through the platform does not replace a face-to-face consultation with a doctor. Assessment via the platform is not an emergency system. It is not suitable for people who require urgent medical supervision or immediate medical procedures.  

7. Final provisions 

Any amendment or supplement to these GTC agreed between the dermatologist and the user must be made in writing. This also applies to the above requirement regarding the written form.  

8. Jurisdiction and applicable law 

Swiss law applies (with the exception of the conflict of laws rule). 

Version of: 1 June 2025 

C: General Terms and Conditions Between Users and Partners 

CSS patients as part of the pilot project 

The “teledermatology” pilot project does not affect either basic health insurance or any alternative insurance models. For users, in particular those with what is known as an alternative insurance model (special form of insurance) to basic health insurance, the provisions of the (respective) insurance product apply and are independent of the information and recommendation for treatment from OnlineDoctor. If treatment is provided without a referral or without the knowledge of the doctor or telemedicine centre, (the) treatment costs cannot (generally) be refunded. In life-threatening situations, the emergency services should be contacted directly. The doctor and the telemedicine centre should then be informed promptly (in accordance with the regulatory provisions of the insurance product).  

Alternative CSS insurance models include: Profit, FIRST MED, GP insurance, health practice insurance, Callmed, FIRST CALL. The regulations for the alternative insurance models are available on www.css.ch. 

 

The health data entered into OnlineDoctor are used by the chosen dermatologist to make a recommendation for action. All data collected as part of the registration and during use are processed in anonymised form for the operation of OnlineDoctor and for the purpose of documenting medical symptoms. These data are processed exclusively by OnlineDoctor and not disclosed to third parties. These data also form the basis for statistical assessments that are performed with aggregated data. The symptoms entered by the user are not assessed in a personalised manner. The user gives his/her consent for the processing of his/her data to this extent.  

Version of: 1 June 2025