Biel Hospital Center

What Biel Hospital Center does

Biel Hospital Center (Spitalzentrum Biel AG) is a public regional hospital center serving the Biel-Seeland-Berner Jura region in Canton of Bern, Switzerland. Founded in 1415 and incorporated as Spitalzentrum Biel AG in 2002, the hospital is 99% owned by the Canton of Bern with the remaining 1% held by the Stiftung Kinderspital Wildermeth foundation. It operates approximately 2,280 employees across more than 40 professions and serves over 150,000 patients annually through a main Vogelsang campus, the MEDIN outpatient health center at Biel train station, and the dedicated Kinderklinik Wildermeth pediatric clinic.

The hospital delivers a comprehensive acute-care portfolio spanning intensive care, a certified Stroke Unit (first in Canton Bern), SGI-certified ICU, DKG-certified colorectal and prostate cancer centers, a certified breast center, a certified continence and pelvic floor center, neonatal and pediatric services, obstetrics (Baby-Friendly Hospital designation since 1994), and emergency medicine across approximately 20 specialty departments. Patient-facing digital infrastructure includes the Merlin PACS portal for radiological image exchange with referring physicians, the HIN-Gateway for secure health-data communication, and an upcoming eSanita platform for electronic referrals and discharge reporting. Quality is monitored through ANQ national patient surveys, IQM peer review, ISO 9001 (breast center), ISO 17025 (laboratory), and REKOLE cost accounting certifications.

Revenue is generated primarily through Swiss health insurance reimbursement (KVG) for inpatient and outpatient services, supplemented by cantonal subsidies tied to the public service mandate, supplemental insurance upgrades (semi-private/private accommodations), and ancillary services including a public pharmacy, social counseling, chaplaincy, and mediation. Patient acquisition occurs via emergency services, physician referrals, and direct admissions, supported by a dedicated relationship manager and electronic data exchange with the regional referring-physician network. The hospital is also a teaching affiliate of the University of Bern Medical Faculty.

Name

Biel Hospital Center

Legal name

Spitalzentrum Biel AG

Website

https://spitalzentrum-biel.ch

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Biel Hospital Center is a public regional hospital in Canton of Bern, Switzerland, delivering acute care across ~20 specialties to 150,000+ patients annually via a 2,280-employee operation that includes a certified Stroke Unit, ICU, and DKG-certified cancer centers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Hospital Services (Public Regional Hospital)

NAICS

General Medical and Surgical Hospitals (62211), Ambulatory Health Care Services (621), Specialty (except Psychiatric and Substance Abuse) Hospitals (62231)

SIC

Services-General Medical & Surgical Hospitals, Nec (8062), Services-Hospitals (8060)

akta.pro primary industry

Community & Regional General Hospitals (HLAFAAAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Pediatric Specialty Care Centers (e.g., cardiology, oncology, neurology) (HLAFAJAH), Liver & GI Clinical Research (Trials Centers) (HLAKAEAL), Outpatient Endoscopy & GI Procedure Centers (Non-ASC) (HLAFABAL), Cardiovascular / Cath Lab & Electrophysiology Centers (HLAFAIAI)

Keywords

• Acute hospital care
• Outpatient medical services
• Emergency medical services
• Pediatric and obstetric care
• Public health services

Headquarters

HQ city

Bern

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Patient Care Services: As a public hospital under Swiss health law (KVG), SZB generates revenue primarily through billing for medical services to patients, with reimbursement from basic health insurance and supplemental insurance plans. The hospital also receives cantonal subsidies for its public service mandate.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Biel Hospital Center (Spitalzentrum Biel AG) is a public regional center hospital providing integrated acute inpatient and outpatient medical care across approximately 20 specialties. Its portfolio spans a certified Stroke Unit, SGI-certified intensive care, neonatal and pediatric services through the Kinderklinik Wildermeth, obstetrics, DKG-certified oncology centers (colorectal and prostate), a certified Breast Center, a certified Continence and Pelvic Floor Center, and emergency medicine, supplemented by the MEDIN outpatient health center, a public pharmacy, and patient support services.

Product overview

Biel Hospital Center (Spitalzentrum Biel AG) is a public regional hospital providing integrated acute care, outpatient services, and wellness support for the Biel–Seeland–Berner Jura region. The hospital operates a unified portfolio centered on the main Vogelsang campus, supplemented by the MEDIN outpatient health center at Biel train station and the Wildermeth Children's Clinic. Services span acute inpatient care (including intensive care, a Stroke Unit, and emergency department), outpatient clinics across ~20 specialties, a public pharmacy at the main entrance, and patient support services (social counseling, chaplaincy, and mediation). Patient-facing digital services include the Merlin PACS web portal for radiology image access and the HIN-Gateway for secure physician communication. The hospital serves over 150,000 patients annually with approximately 2,280 employees across more than 40 professions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• MEDIN: Health center located at the train station (Bahnhof) offering outpatient medical services.

Products and services

• Acute inpatient and outpatient hospital care (main campus) Inpatient and outpatient acute medical and surgical care across approximately 20 specialties at the main Vogelsang campus in Biel, including the emergency department, intensive care, surgical and medical wards, and specialty centers. Targeted at regional patients, referring physicians and the population of the Biel–Seeland–Berner Jura region.
• MEDIN outpatient health center Outpatient medical center operated by SZB at the Biel train station (Bahnhof), providing outpatient consultations, radiology and integrated follow-up care linked to the main hospital via the Merlin PACS portal. Targeted at the regional population seeking accessible outpatient services without admission.
• Kinderklinik Wildermeth (pediatric and adolescent clinic) Pediatric and adolescent medicine, neonatology, and pediatric surgery within the SZB group, accredited by the University of Bern Medical Faculty. Targeted at children, adolescents and their families in the regional catchment.
• Stroke Unit (SFCNS-certified) Certified interdisciplinary Stroke Unit providing acute stroke care from first symptom through long-term rehabilitation. Targeted at stroke patients in the region.
• Intensive Care Unit (SGI-certified) SGI-certified intensive care medicine treating approximately 1,000 patients per year. Targeted at critically ill adult patients in the region.
• Breast Center Biel-Jura-Seeland (ISO 9001-certified) ISO 9001-certified interdisciplinary breast center for screening, diagnosis, treatment, and aftercare of breast cancer. Targeted at patients with breast conditions in the region.
• Colorectal Cancer Center (DKG-certified) DKG-certified interdisciplinary colorectal cancer center for early detection, diagnosis, treatment, and aftercare of colorectal cancer. Targeted at patients with colorectal cancer in the region.
• Prostate Cancer Center (DKG-certified) DKG-certified prostate cancer center for early detection, diagnosis, and treatment of prostate cancer. Targeted at patients with prostate cancer in the region.
• Continence and Pelvic Floor Center (certified) Certified Continence and Pelvic Floor Center providing interdisciplinary diagnostics and treatment of continence and pelvic floor disorders. Targeted at patients with continence or pelvic floor disorders.
• Public Pharmacy (Öffentliche Apotheke) Public pharmacy at the main entrance of the hospital, open Monday–Friday 8:30am–4:30pm, providing prescription medications, over-the-counter products, wound materials and aids, and counseling for safe and effective use. Positioned at the interface between inpatient and outpatient care to ensure continuity of drug therapy at discharge. Targeted at inpatients, outpatients, hospital visitors, staff and the local community.
• Sozialberatung / Case Management Social counseling and case-management service assisting inpatients with post-discharge planning including rehabilitation, home support, respite care and nursing-home placement. Free of charge and available on request. Targeted at inpatients and their families.
• Hospital Chaplaincy (Spitalseelsorge) Emotional and spiritual support for patients and relatives during hospital stays. Free of charge and available on request. Targeted at inpatients and their families.
• Espace Dialog & Mediation Mediation service focused on patient satisfaction and conflict resolution between patients, relatives and hospital staff. Free of charge. Targeted at patients and their relatives.
• Multimedia Patient Terminal (bedside telephone, radio, television) Each patient bed is equipped with a multimedia device including a telephone with a personal phone number (calls 7am–9pm), radio, and television access. A connection fee of CHF 1 per day is added to the hospital bill. Targeted at inpatients.
• Referring Physician Relationship Management and Electronic Data Exchange (Merlin PACS / HIN-Gateway) Relationship management and electronic data exchange services for referring physicians, including the Merlin PACS web portal for radiological images and reports and HIN-Gateway secure communication, connecting approximately 350 Swiss healthcare institutions. Targeted at external referring physicians and healthcare providers.

Quantifiable outcome

• Patient satisfaction measured through ANQ national patient survey and continuous internal monitoring
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Inselspital / Universitätsspital BerncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupra-regional partnership with University Hospital Bern for specialized medical services and academic collaboration
• Universität Bern, Medizinische FakultätcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTeaching hospital affiliation with medical faculty for medical education and research. SZB serves as teaching hospital for University of Bern medical students.
• Berner Bildungszentrum PflegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for nursing education and professional development programs
• Berner Fachhochschule – Fachbereich GesundheitcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for health sciences education and practical training
• H+ Die Spitäler der SchweizcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of Swiss hospital association representing hospital interests and promoting quality standards
• FMH, Verbindung der Schweizer Ärztinnen und ÄrzteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMembership in Swiss Medical Association for physician professional development and standards
• Réseau BleuminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupra-regional healthcare network partnership
• Réseau de l'ArcminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional healthcare network partnership
• Hôpital du JuraminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCross-border hospital partnership in the Jura region
• Ambulanz Region Biel (ARB)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional ambulance service for emergency patient transport
• Spitex Aare-BielerseecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHome care services partnership for post-discharge patient support
• Spitex Biel-Bienne RegiocoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHome care services for patient follow-up care after hospitalization
• Krebsliga BernminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCancer league partnership for patient support and oncological care coordination
• Selbsthilfe BEminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSelf-help group coordination, awarded 'Self-Help Friendly Hospital' status
• Radio-Onkologiezentrum Biel–Seeland–Berner JuracoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRadiation oncology center partnership for comprehensive cancer treatment
• Medizinisches Zentrum Biel (MZB)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMedical center partnership for integrated outpatient care services
• HIN (Health Info Net)coreTechnology or IntegrationSecure health data exchange network connecting 350 healthcare institutions and 14,000 subscribers for protected communication
• Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute BaselminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTravel medicine partnership for travel health consultations and advice
• PZM Psychiatriezentrum Münsingen AGminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPsychiatric care partnership for mental health services integration
• Universitäre Psychiatrische Dienste Bern (UPD)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPsychiatric services partnership for specialized mental health care referrals

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Lindenhofgruppe Bern: Private hospital group in the Bern region offering acute care across multiple sites. Comparable in service breadth but competing on the private/semi-private insurance side of the same Canton Bern market that SZB serves.
• Spital Emmental: Public regional hospital group serving the Emmental region adjacent to SZB's Biel-Seeland-Berner Jura catchment. Comparable in scale, ownership structure (cantonal), and service breadth as a mid-sized Swiss acute care provider competing for the same regional patient population.
• Hôpital du Jura / Hôpital du Jura bernois: Cross-border public hospital partnership with SZB serving the adjacent Bernese Jura and Canton Jura. Directly comparable regional public hospital in scale and case mix, sharing bilingual and cross-border referral dynamics with SZB.
• Kantonsspital Aarau: Public cantonal hospital in neighboring Canton Aargau, comparable in scale (mid-size acute care) and structure to SZB. Useful peer for understanding the economics of Swiss cantonal public hospitals of similar size and service breadth.
• Spital Thun: Public regional hospital in the Canton Bern network serving the Bernese Oberland. Comparable regional public hospital with similar mid-acuity case mix, teaching affiliations, and cantonal governance structure to SZB.

Broad incumbents

• Swiss Medical Network: Privately owned Swiss hospital group operating multiple acute care facilities across language regions. Competes with SZB for elective procedures and bilingual patient flows, particularly from French-speaking patients in the Jura catchment.
• Centre hospitalier universitaire vaudois (CHUV): University hospital of Canton Vaud and one of Switzerland's two major French-language academic centers. Comparable as a large Swiss public teaching hospital and provides a useful French-language counterpart reference for SZB's bilingual positioning.
• Hirslanden Bern / Hirslanden Group: Switzerland's largest private hospital group, with a Bern presence including Klinik Beau-Site and Salem-Spital. Competes for elective and semi-private volumes in the broader Canton Bern market and offers a private-sector alternative to SZB's public service mandate.
• Inselspital / Universitätsspital Bern: The university hospital of Canton Bern and Switzerland's largest tertiary care center. Direct peer as a Canton Bern public hospital with overlapping service lines; also a formal supra-regional partner of SZB, making it both competitor for complex cases and a referral destination.

Others

• Berner Rehazentrum Heiligenschwendi: Rehabilitation provider in Canton Bern where SZB board member Thomas Straubhaar sits on the foundation council. An adjacent post-acute provider that complements SZB's acute care services for downstream patient flows rather than competing directly.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/szbchb

Compliance20 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles20 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Biel Hospital Center