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Healthcare in Luxembourg
European medicine is considered to be one of the best in the world with professional doctors and medical costs covered by insurance for residents of EU. This article reveals the state of healthcare in Luxembourg and tells you more about how residents are being treated.
The Grand Duchy seems to spend very little on health care. Thus, Luxembourg is ranked 114th in terms of GDP spending on it, which means 5.5%. But here it is actually a good sign.
The significant measuring index is presented by Bloomberg Global Health Index. This ranking is based on data from WHO, the UN Population Division and the World Bank and covers 169 countries. The result is composed of a set of figures. It considers life expectancy, access to clean water and health care, anti-smoking and anti-obesity measures and the environment. Luxembourg ranks 11th among the healthiest countries of the world in 2022. The average value of healthcare spending per capita comes to just 5,203 euros for about 20 years (from 2000 to 2019) here.
Thus, the quality of the health care services provided in the Grand Duchy is more than ok. All citizens have free access to the public health system. It includes public health centres and hospitals, pharmacies, patient care services. You can ask for help in private medical offices. Also, they are overwhelmingly accredited by the National Health Fund (CNS).
Why Luxembourg has it all?
There are many reasons why a national healthcare system can be successful and rank highly among countries worldwide. We'll tell you the most important ones, which you need to keep in mind.
CNS
In Luxembourg, everyone pays health insurance fees to the National Health Fund, including employees, employers, and self-employed persons. Even pensioners and the unemployed pay fees from their benefits. And these payments are transferred to CNS. They come to 80–90% of the total healthcare expenses. Medical assistance is accessible – on average, residents have to pay up to 20% per therapist and up to 20% for prescription drugs.
Coverage
National health insurance covers a wide range of medical treatments, from tests and prescription drugs to prostheses, transplants and psychiatric treatment.
Free choice
Patients are free to choose their doctor and hospital. The healthcare insurance system also provides for this.
Children coverage
Children are provided with medical care under their parents’ or guardians’ insurance. And this is so until the child is 29.
Private doctors
Primary health care in Luxembourg is provided by private doctors, the majority of whom work individually in their offices.
Physicians
There is a well-developed network of physicians accredited by CNS. But before treatment, the patient must make sure that the doctor works as part of the national healthcare program. Otherwise, you can spend extra money on treatment.
Finance
The Ministry of Health schedules the work of the hospital and pharmaceutical sectors, and co-finances national health programs.
Quality
The Ministry of Social Welfare monitors the quality of healthcare services financed by the state.
Which European country has the best healthcare in 2024
Read articleTaking care of women's health
All major hospitals in the Grand Duchy have a maternity ward, a department of obstetrics and gynaecology. There are many initiatives in the country for regular checks and supporting of women's health and motherhood too.
Pregnancy and birth
A woman can get advice from the following specialists:
- a physician,
- a gynaecologist,
- a specialist in the maternity welfare center,
- at the family health center and family planning centers.
If a woman is going to give birth for the first time, she will be advised not to give birth at home. Under Luxembourg law, obstetricians must not deliver babies at home when it is the first child. However, these restriction does not apply to subsequent births, and you can rely on an obstetrician’s expert assistance.
Most of the costs for pregnancy are covered by national health insurance. But the insurance does not cover home births.
The CHL Central Hospital even allows giving waterbirths. There is a special room in the maternity ward.
Moreover, expectant mothers can enroll in courses for pregnant women. They will be taught the basics of childcare and prepared for childbirth there.
Emergency for pregnant women
There are at least two clinics for emergency medical care for pregnant women.
- MATERNITÉ 2, rue Federspiel, L-1512 Luxembourg Gynecology: +352 4411-11 Obstetrics: +352 4411-3204
- KLINIK BOHLER 5, rue Edward Steichen, L-2540 Luxembourg +352263331
Postpartum care
Mothers and babies are usually discharged from hospitals after three days. However, if the birth was an outpatient or the new mother wants to be discharged, she can be released earlier. The newborns and their parents are entitled to the obstetrician’s assistance. The assistance is a minimum of 3 doctor’s visits.
When the birth certificate is brought to the maternity ward, a woman is discharged. It is usually received by the father. To obtain the document, the baby must be registered. This generally takes three days after the birth. However, this period is determined by the maternity hospital, which discharges the mother and her baby.
The law prohibits carrying babies in arms. Before the discharge from the maternity hospital, the staff will clarify how you will carry your baby and whether you have a special chair for it.
Abortion option
Emergency contraception is available with no prescription.
Artificial termination of pregnancy is allowed on medical indications. Or within 12 weeks after conception. After this period, you can have the abortion only if doctors determine a danger to the mother or the baby.
Taking care of children’s health
Children under 29 are covered by the insurance plan of their parents who make payments. Since the age of 30, co-insurance can be available only if CNS permits this and if the child goes into higher education.
Vaccination
It is not mandatory to vaccinate children after a certain age. But you can vaccinate a child free of charge against hepatitis B, rubella, diphtheria, poliomyelitis, tetanus, mumps and measles.
You can call a doctor for a home visit. But you should keep in mind that doctors visit patients only at certain times of the day.
Emergency services for under 14 year olds
You can get emergency medical help in children’s hospitals. They take care of both babies and children of any other age, up to 14.
- HÔPITAUX ROBERT SCHUMAN 5, rue Edward Steichen L-2540 Luxembourg Emergency calls: +35224685540
- KANNER KLINIK 4, rue Ernest Barblé L-1210 Luxembourg Emergency calls: +352 4411-6148 sec.poliped@chl.lu
The website offers materials that can be useful to persons who care about their well-being.
- the directory of medical specialists;
- information on the authorization of doctors and other healthcare workers;
- reports on relevant health issues;
- various medical publications;
- healthcare news and an events calendar;
- information on diseases, medical tests and procedures;
- data on reimbursement of healthcare costs;
- healthcare laws;
- campaigns of the Ministry of Health and advice on health promotion and disease prevention.
The Portal of the Ministry of Health makes medical care more accessible to the country. It helps to find skilled experts and provides important information on health matters.
Emergency aid in Luxembourg
If you have a medical emergency, you should remember the difference between a life-threatening situation and a less serious medical concern. A normal ambulance costs around 120 euros. An ambulance with a doctor costs around 270 euros.
📍Luxembourg
CENTRE HOSPITALIER DE LUXEMBOURG (CHL) 4, rue Ernest Barblé L-1210 Luxembourg (+352) 44 11 11 Emergency calls: 4411-2132 AND HÔPITAL KIRCHBERG 9, rue Edward Steichen L-2540 Luxembourg Emergency calls: +35224681
📍Ettelbruck
CENTRE HOSPITALIER DU NORD ETTELBRUCK 120, avenue Salentiny L-9080 Ettelbruck +352 8166-1
📍Dudelange
POLICLINIQUE DUDELANGE Rue de l’Hôpital L-3488 Dudelange +352 57 11-1 Emergency calls: 5711 73400
How healthcare is provided on weekends and holidays?
If you fall ill at the weekend, you will get help. The Grand Duchy has created maisons medicales and opened numerous pharmacies staffed by highly qualified specialists. These are special centres that provide non-emergency treatment when other medical services are closed.
Hospital and pharmacy signs
Hospitals in Luxembourg are easy to find: you can see the letter H on a blue background on the building’s face. The list of clinics and hospitals.
You can identify a pharmacy by the green cross. Their open hours are scheduled like those of stores, but there is always a duty pharmacist on weekends and after hours. They are responsible for dispensing drugs, so they may ask about symptoms even if you have a prescription from a doctor. The map of duty pharmacies.
If you need emergency aid, you should call an ambulance (112). In case of general ailments, you can get help from maisons medicales from 20:00 to 7:00 on weekdays and from 8:00 to 19:00 on weekends.
There are three such health-care centers in the Grand Duchy
In Luxembourg
Address: 59 Rue Michel Welter, L-2730
In Esch-sur-Alzette
Address: 70 Rue Emily Mayrisch, L-4240
In Ettelbruck
Address: 110 Lucien Avenue Salentiny, L-9080
The Portal of the Ministry of Health makes medical care more accessible to the country. It helps to find skilled experts and provides important information on health matters.
It offers
- the directory of medical specialists
- information on the authorization of doctors and other healthcare workers
- reports on relevant health issues
- various medical publications
- healthcare news and an events calendar
- information on diseases, medical tests and procedures
- data on reimbursement of healthcare costs
- healthcare laws
- campaigns of the Ministry of Health and advice on health promotion and disease prevention
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How is health care financed in Luxembourg?
Healthcare in Luxembourg is financed by the National Health Fund (CNS) with contributions from employees, employers, the self-employed, pensioners and the unemployed. This system covers 80-90% of healthcare costs, with patients typically paying up to 20% for services and prescription drugs.
Which health services are covered by the national health insurance in Luxembourg?
The national health insurance in Luxembourg covers a wide range of services, including tests, prescription drugs, prostheses, transplants, psychiatric treatment and primary care by private doctors. It also provides for free choice of doctors and hospitals.
What special health care provisions are there for children in Luxembourg?
Children in Luxembourg are covered under their parents' insurance until the age of 29. They receive comprehensive care, including emergency services, and vaccinations are optional but free for diseases such as hepatitis B, rubella and measles. Emergency services for children under 14 are available in special hospitals.
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Source: worldpopulationreview.com, sante.public.lu, insure.travel,
We took photos from these sources: Online Marketing on Unsplash
Authors: Daria
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