SBB acquires 49% stake in Helsana subsidiary HMS

Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) is acquiring a 49 percent stake in Health & Medical Service (HMS), a healthcare provider owned by Helsana. Following approval from the European Commission, SBB and Helsana will jointly control the company. The EU Commission noted no competition concerns due to the limited impact within the European Economic Area.

HMS specializes in corporate medical services, including occupational, transport, and insurance medicine, as well as healthcare software solutions. The company operates exclusively within Switzerland. SBB relies heavily on HMS, which performs approximately 12,000 medical examinations and assessments annually for the railway, such as fitness-to-work evaluations for train drivers.

SBB previously outsourced its MedicalService to HMS in 2017 to secure specialized medical expertise. The joint ownership aims to provide a stable long-term foundation for HMS and ensure the availability and quality of medical services essential for safe railway operations. The transaction is expected to be completed by the end of October.