How to get medical care and health insurance

All citizens and foreign workers are covered by the social health care system in Luxembourg. The services are either available for free or can be reimbursed after the care has been provided. Up to 90% of medical services can be covered by the state insurance system.

How to get medical care

• All employed citizens are obliged to pay social insurance contributions. The contribution sum is divided equally between the employers and the employees. The tax is automatically subtracted from the wages along with other social taxes. Money goes to the CNS (National Health Fund) or the Caisse de Maladie. Such payment entitles people to receive health care.
• Self-employed people and entrepreneurs pay contributions on their own. The amount of the contribution depends on the employment and the person's occupation.
• Retired and non-working people pay contributions from their allowances.

• Family members (spouses, partners, relatives) — can be co-insured with the family member who is paying the insurance fees.
• Children up to the age of 29 are insured alongside the parent who pays the insurance contributions. From the age of 30, the co-insurance option is available only with the CNS' approval and if the person (child) is studying for a university degree.

What is included in the coverage of the state health insurance

The list is quite impressive:

• laboratory tests;
• treatment by physicians;
• treatment by general practitioners;
• prescription medications;
• hospitalization;
• inpatient care;
• rehabilitation;
• pregnancy and childbirth expenses;
• basic dental treatment;
• vision and hearing aids (glasses, contact lenses, etc.);
• paramedical services;
• preventive measures (contraception, vaccinations);
• transplantation;
• prosthetics;
• psychiatric care;
• homeopathy.
  

The costs of medications are reimbursed from 40% to 100%, according to the medication. You can find a list of reimbursable medications on the CNS website.

Normally, the doctor will inform the patient about the amount that can be reimbursed. Afterward, the CNS will decide how much the patient is paying for the treatment on their own and how much will be reimbursed.

How to get health insurance in Luxembourg

In order to do so, you will have to register at the Social Security Center (CCSS) and obtain a CNS card. It is a double-sided social security card with a 13-digit national identification number. Every time you go to the hospital, to a doctor's appointment, or to buy medicine at the pharmacy, you will have to show your CNS card.

The front side contains the necessary information about the insured person and grants the right to health care in Luxembourg.

The reverse side (EHIC — European Health Insurance Card) provides health insurance coverage throughout Luxembourg, Switzerland, and Macedonia, as well as the EU and EEA countries (Norway, Liechtenstein, Iceland).

• For salaried workers, your employer will issue the card. The card application must be filled out within 8 days of the start date of the employment contract.
• If you are self-employed, you will need to register with the CNS yourself.

What documents are needed to obtain a CNS-card

• Proof of identity (passport, ID card, etc.);
• Proof of residence (e.g. utility bill receipt);
• Residence permit in Luxembourg;
• Document confirming your employment (contract).

Where to obtain a CNS-card

You must follow this link and register with MyGuichet.lu to apply.You will need to specify in the application form:

• your CCSS membership status;
• the exact purpose of the meeting request;
• date and time for the meeting.

The card will be ready and sent to your mailing address within three weeks.

Documents for reimbursement by wire transfer

You must provide the documents listed below:

• Original receipts, invoices, and any payment documents
• Payment confirmation. Proof of payment is considered to be:
  • the «pour acquit le» indication, followed by the doctor's or provider's signature and the date of payment;
  • the stamp or signature of the financial institution indicating «payé (paid)», «pour acquit (to receive)», «virement exécuté (transfer completed)», etc;
  • the bank account notice («avis de débit bancaire»).
• Foreign bank documents (e.g. statements) can only be accepted if they include the date of payment, account number, and confirmation that the payment has been made.

• Bank account number. The first time you contact the CNS for reimbursement, you must give your bank account number (IBAN and BIC codes). Don't forget to enclose your bank statement (relevé d'identité bancaire). The bank can issue this document for you.

• National Identification Number. The inquiry must contain the name, address, and 13-digit identification number of the insured person.

If the residence address has been changed drastically the CNS must be notified about it. But if the person moves within Luxembourg, there is no need to inform the company.

How to get your money back

You can do this by post. You must send the originals of all documents for medical services provided by the doctor or other expenses by mail to the CNS.

Address:

CNS – Service Remboursements nationaux

L-2980 Luxembourg

Tél. (+352) 2757 — 4260

The refund will come within three weeks. The money will be transferred to your bank account and you will receive a notice in the mail.

If you received medical care outside of Luxembourg, the refund is considered in each individual case. The CNS will only start the reimbursement process after it has received notification from the country where the medical care was provided.

Social care

Social aid is available to the unemployed and low-income residents of Luxembourg. If the resident does not have insurance, the Social Welfare Office takes care of the expenses related to disability, illness, medical intervention, age-related illnesses, or hospitalization. In order to receive the allowance, you have to contact the local Social Security Administration in your commune.

How to get social aid

Most of the time, you have to be present in person. But in exceptional cases, you can ask for assistance by phone.

In-person

You have to visit the local social services office in your commune and make a verbal request for assistance. The application can be submitted in paper form or sent to an e-mail address.

By phone

This method can be used due to limited mobility or specific personal circumstances of the applicant. The Welfare Officer will invite the applicant to the office or will come to the applicant's home to process the application.

The Social Security Administration will conduct a background check to get a complete picture of the situation. The verifications are conducted to assess the applicant's situation and suggest possible improvements.

All the results of the social security check, the information provided by the applicant, and all documents are kept in an individual social security file in the applicant's name.

When all documents are available, Social Security proceeds with the application. Records are made in the application register and sent to the administrative board of the Social Security Administration for further review.

Application review period

A decision on social assistance will be made within 25 working days from the date of application.

Each decision is either delivered to the applicant by mail or delivered in person. A receipt must be signed by the applicant when delivered in person.

In urgent cases, the decision is made immediately, depending on the applicant's situation. A social audit may be conducted later.

Why do you need private health insurance

Additional private health insurance is used to cover costs that are not included in public health insurance.

A private insurance policy covers costly medical expenses like:

• dentist treatment;
• medical treatment and services by an ophthalmologist;
• hospitalization;
• various medical services outside of Luxembourg.

It is a good option in case of unforeseen medical expenses in a foreign country or in case of emergency hospitalization.

How does it work

The insurance company enters a contract with a medical facility and includes certain types of care in it.

If you need services that are not covered by the agreement, you will have to pay for them yourself and then ask your insurance company for reimbursement.

Medical care details in Luxembourg

Women's Health

You can consult a gynecologist under the public health insurance program.

Most of the costs associated with pregnancy, prenatal care, childbirth, and postpartum care are covered by state health insurance.

Women in their 50s and 70s can be examined for breast cancer with the national screening program.

Emergency medical care

The ambulance phone number is 112.

Treatment is free, even if you do not have insurance.