Tarif 590 / ASCA Correspondence Table 2026: Which Code to Bill for Which Method?

Every ASCA therapist eventually faces the same question: which Tarif 590 code matches my method? The Tarif 590 / ASCA correspondence table is not intuitive — the same method can have multiple numbers depending on your recognition body, some methods share a code, and annual revisions create traps. In 2026, four codes were removed or merged. This article gives you a complete and up-to-date table, billing rules by therapeutic family, the 2026 changes, and the most common errors to avoid.

How the Tarif 590 structure works

Tarif 590 is the standardised billing system for outpatient complementary medicine services in Switzerland, managed by the complementary medicine insurers group (CONCORDIA, CSS, Groupe Mutuel, Helsana, Sanitas, SWICA, Visana) in collaboration with CAMsuisse. Since 1 January 2022, billing via PDF forms is no longer accepted: only approved software can transmit invoices.

The tariff is organised in five chapters:

Chapter 4 concerns physiotherapists and occupational therapists — it is not detailed here as it does not apply to ASCA therapists.

Position 1200 — Anamnesis / Assessment / Diagnosis deserves special attention: it covers general assessments independent of the method. If your method already includes anamnesis in its description (e.g. osteopathy 1203), you are not obliged to bill it separately — but you can if the initial assessment exceeds the usual scope.

Each therapist may only use codes corresponding to the methods for which they are recognised by ASCA, RME, SPAK or APTN. Your RCC number (format Z123456.60 to Z123456.63 for complementary medicine) must appear on every invoice.

Tarif 590 / ASCA correspondence table 2026 — by therapeutic family

Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine

Massage and bodywork

Reflexology and energy work

Naturopathy, homeopathy, phytotherapy

Body methods and movement

Osteopathy and etiopathy

Sophrology, body psychotherapies and psycho-active methods

Art therapies and creative therapies (federal diploma or OrTra TC Branch Certificate required)

These Chapter 5 codes are reserved for holders of a federal diploma or an OrTra TC Branch Certificate in the corresponding discipline. They cannot be used with a simple method recognition.

"Umbrella" methods (bill according to the recognised sub-method)

Some ASCA numbers are framework methods that group several sub-methods. In this case, you bill according to the sub-method actually practised:

• ASCA 211 — Naturopathy WAM → bill according to recognised sub-method
• ASCA 231 — Naturopathy TCM → bill according to recognised sub-method
• ASCA 232 — Medical massage → bill according to recognised sub-method
• ASCA 234 — Medical massage → bill according to recognised sub-method
• ASCA 249 — Anthroposophic therapies → bill according to recognised sub-method

2026 changes: removed and merged positions

On 1 January 2026, the complementary medicine insurers group made the following changes to Tarif 590:

The changes below are based on the OdA KT and CAMsuisse circulars published in December 2025. Always check the current version at oda-kt.ch.

Positions permanently removed

Positions merged into code 1004 (Acupuncture)

Since 1 January 2026, the following acupuncture variants are grouped under a single code:

Practical consequence: if you practise moxibustion or auricular acupuncture, now use only code 1004. Some outdated software may still display these old codes — check that your billing solution has integrated the 2026 version.

As a reminder, in 2024–2025 no new positions were added: recent revisions have been essentially consolidations.

Common correspondence errors and how to avoid them

Here are the six most common errors found in Tarif 590 invoices:

Also read our article The 5 errors that get your Tarif 590 invoices rejected for a complete list of the most common rejection reasons.

How to verify your code with the supplementary insurer

Each supplementary insurer establishes its own list of reimbursed methods, independently of Tarif 590. The fact that a code exists in Tarif 590 does not guarantee reimbursement — you need:

1. Your method is recognised by your insurer via ASCA, RME, SPAK or APTN
2. The patient's supplementary insurance product specifically covers this method

Helsana, for example, published in January 2026 a list of methods for which it no longer recognises new therapists from 1 January 2026. Other insurers follow a similar policy of gradually closing certain less documented methods.

Recommended steps:

• Log in to your professional space on asca.ch to check the status of your recognitions
• Consult the annual ASCA/insurer recognition list published by OrTra TC
• If in doubt about a specific method, contact the insurer directly before the first consultation

Frequently asked questions

Conclusion

The Tarif 590 / ASCA correspondence table is an essential tool that evolves every year. In 2026, the main change is the merger of all acupuncture variants under the single code 1004, and the removal of codes 1027 (bioresonance) and 1141 (Dorn/Breuss). To remain compliant, it is essential that your billing software integrates these updates automatically.

For more on how Tarif 590 works overall, see our Complete Tarif 590 Guide 2026. To understand how to generate a compliant QR-invoice, read our guide QR-Invoice for Swiss Therapists.

Therago automatically integrates the ASCA 2026 correspondence table, valid positions, and alerts you if you try to use a removed code. Billing is done in a few clicks, with automatic generation of a compliant QR-invoice. Try it free for 30 days.