By Anne T. T. · Published April 12, 2026 · 8 min read
The RCC number (Creditor Code Register) is the indispensable identifier for any therapist who wishes to bill supplementary insurance in Switzerland. Without this number, your invoices will be systematically refused by insurers, and your patients will not be able to claim reimbursement. Whether you are a naturopath, psychologist, physiotherapist or neuropsychologist, obtaining your RCC number is an unavoidable administrative step when opening your practice. This guide walks you through every step of the process, from the documents to prepare to configuring your billing software.
The RCC number — in German Zahlstellenregister (ZSR) — is a unique identifier assigned to each healthcare provider authorised to bill insurance in Switzerland. It is managed by SASIS SA, a subsidiary of santésuisse (the umbrella association of health insurers).
What is it used for?
RCC number format
The RCC number follows a strict format: one uppercase letter + 6 digits + a dot + 2 digits.
Z123456.60 — complementary medicine therapist
K654321.12 — psychologist
N789012.00 — neuropsychologist
The initial letter corresponds to your canton of practice, and the two digits after the dot identify your speciality or authorisation type.
Depending on your profession and recognition, the RCC number you obtain will be linked to a specific tariff.
1. Complementary medicine therapists (Tarif 590)
Suffixes .60 to .63 are assigned to ASCA or RME recognised therapists. This tariff covers disciplines such as naturopathy, reflexology, shiatsu, acupuncture and osteopathy. Recognition required: ASCA, RME or both. Billing: supplementary insurance only (VVG/LCA). The DataMatrix has been mandatory on every invoice since 2025. For more details, see our complete Tarif 590 guide.
2. Psychologists (Tarifs 581 and 582)
Since July 1, 2022, psychologist-psychotherapists can bill via basic insurance (LAMal, Tarif 581) or accident/disability/military insurance (LAA/LAI/LAM, Tarif 582) under the prescription model. Recognition required: federal psychotherapy title (FSP, ASP or SBAP). Condition: practise under medical prescription (max. 30 sessions, then extension request).
3. Physiotherapists (Tarif 312)
Physiotherapists practise under medical prescription and bill on the basis of Tarif 312, which defines tariff positions for physiotherapy treatments. Recognition required: recognised diploma + cantonal authorisation to practise.
4. Neuropsychologists (Tarif 340)
Tarif 340 covers neuropsychology services (assessments, diagnostics, cognitive rehabilitation). It includes 5 service codes (100.003 to 100.007). Recognition required: FSP specialisation title in neuropsychology. Billing is in points (15.36 points per unit, point value varies by canton).
Before any RCC number application, you must hold a valid recognition from the body corresponding to your profession:
| Profession | Recognition body |
|---|---|
| Complementary therapist | ASCA, RME or both |
| Psychologist-psychotherapist | FSP, ASP or SBAP + federal title |
| Physiotherapist | Cantonal authorisation to practise |
| Neuropsychologist | FSP (neuropsychology specialisation) |
This step can take from a few weeks to several months depending on your background. If you are starting your practice, our article on how to open a therapist practice in Switzerland covers all the administrative steps.
Once you have your recognition, submit your request directly to SASIS SA by email: zsr@sasis.ch
Include in your message:
Documents to prepare:
The processing time is generally 2 to 4 weeks after receipt of your complete file. SASIS will communicate your RCC number by mail or email.
Once you receive your RCC number, configure it in your billing software. The number must appear on every invoice you issue to insurance companies. In Therago, the configuration takes a few clicks in your profile settings. The RCC number is automatically integrated into the correct field of your invoices (Tarif 590, 581/582 or 340), including in the XML file if you transmit invoices electronically.
Incorrect RCC format: the expected format is strict: [A-Z]\d{6}.\d{2}. Common errors: forgetting the dot separator (K654321 instead of K654321.12), swapping letter and digits, or using lowercase letters. An incorrect format causes systematic invoice rejection.
Expired professional recognition: your ASCA or RME recognition must be current. If it expires, your RCC number may be deactivated by SASIS. Renew your recognition before its expiry date, not after.
Not reporting a move: if you change your professional address, you must inform SASIS. An RCC number is linked to a place of practice. In case of an audit, an outdated address can cause problems.
Confusing RCC and GLN: the RCC identifies your right to bill. The GLN (Global Location Number) identifies your place of practice in the healthcare system. These are two distinct numbers, and both are needed to bill correctly. See our article on common Tarif 590 invoice mistakes for more details.
How much does it cost to get an RCC number?
Registration with the SASIS register is free. There is no attribution fee for the RCC number itself. However, the costs related to obtaining your professional recognition (ASCA, RME, FSP) vary by organisation.
Can you have multiple RCC numbers?
Yes. If you practise in multiple cantons or under multiple tariffs (for example Tarif 590 for naturopathy and Tarif 581 for psychotherapy), you can hold multiple RCC numbers. Each number is linked to a place of practice and a specific tariff.
Is my RCC number valid throughout Switzerland?
No, the RCC number is linked to your canton of practice. If you open a practice in another canton, you will need to request a new RCC number for that location. The initial letter may change depending on the canton.
What should I do if my RCC number is deactivated?
If your number is deactivated (expired recognition, reported cessation of activity, etc.), contact SASIS at zsr@sasis.ch enclosing your current recognition certificate and proof of your activity. Reactivation generally takes 1 to 2 weeks.
Obtaining your RCC number is a simple but rigorous process. By preparing your documents in advance and respecting the required format, you can complete the procedure in less than a month. Once your number is obtained, configure it immediately in your billing software to issue compliant invoices from your very first consultation.
If you are looking for a practice management software that natively integrates the RCC number, Tarif 590/581/582/340 billing and the QR-Bill, discover Therago — designed by and for Swiss therapists.
Need to bill insurance? Therago integrates your RCC number and generates compliant invoices.
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