Palliative care
Palliative care is active care for people at the end of life who have a serious, progressive and incurable illness. When no treatment aimed at recovery is possible, palliative care aims to relieve pain, preserve quality of life and offer comprehensive support, taking into account physical, psychological and social needs.
On this page, you will find useful information to help you understand what palliative care is, how to access it and what procedures to follow.
Everything I need to know
- Beneficiaries
- Duration
- Procedures
- Coverage
Who is eligible for palliative care?
I am eligible for palliative care if I have a serious and incurable illness, in an advanced or terminal stage, regardless of the cause. My age or place of residence (at home, in hospital or in a specialised institution) has no bearing on this entitlement.
Access to palliative care does not depend on prior recognition of long-term care needs.
Entitlement is independent and gives me access to both health insurance and long-term care insurance benefits, which are covered by the CNS.
My general practitioner submits the application to the Social Security Medical Board (CMSS) using a specific form consisting of an administrative section and a medical section.
How long does palliative care last?
Entitlement begins on the date set by the CMSS based on the date indicated by the attending physician on the declaration.
I am entitled to 35 days of coverage, which can be renewed if necessary.
My doctor can request one or more extensions, each for 35 days.
Procedures for receiving palliative care
My general practitioner submits a request to establish my entitlement to palliative care. To do this, they fill in a specific form, which consists of two parts:
- an administrative section,
- a medical section.
Once completed, this form is sent in a sealed envelope by my doctor to the CMSS.
What happens next?
Once the request has been approved, I will be notified by post that I am entitled to coverage. My doctor and the healthcare professionals involved will also be informed. The National Health Fund (CNS) will send my doctor a certificate of coverage specifying the start and end dates of my entitlement to palliative care. This certificate of coverage is accompanied by a care booklet, which is given to me by my doctor and will be used by all the providers involved in my care.
What is this booklet for?
The care booklet is an essential tool: it allows all the healthcare professionals involved to communicate with each other, to note down the care, services or assistance I receive, and to ensure smooth coordination.
I must always have this booklet with me, wherever I am (at home, in hospital, in another facility, etc.).
If I change location, my doctor will ensure that the booklet is transferred and remains accessible to the new healthcare professionals.
Coverage of palliative care
Once I am entitled to palliative care, I automatically receive full coverage from both my health insurance and long-term care insurance, both of which are managed by the National Health Fund (Caisse nationale de santé, CNS). I do not need to take any additional steps.
Coverage by health insurance
The acts and services listed in the palliative care nomenclature are covered 100% according to a daily flat rate. This flat rate covers all nursing care and physiotherapy acts listed in the respective nomenclatures for nurses and physiotherapists.
There are two separate daily rates for palliative care, applied depending on where the care is provided. The coverage times are as follows:
- At home: 118 minutes per day — 103 minutes of nursing care and 15 minutes of physiotherapy. This time also includes travel time for caregivers.
- In a care and assistance facility: 105 minutes per day — 90 minutes of nursing care and 15 minutes of physiotherapy.
Coverage by long-term care insurance
Thanks to my certificate of coverage, I also have access to the benefits provided by long-term care insurance, without having to make any additional requests.
This includes:
- 780 minutes per week for essential acts of daily living (e.g. help with washing, dressing, meals, etc.)
- Access to certain assistive technology (such as a medical bed or wheelchair) upon presentation of a medical prescription to the Service Moyens Accessoires (SMA)
Important: home adaptations are not covered by palliative care.
Focus on the forms
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Déclaration en vue de l'obtention de soins palliatifs
Le droit aux soins palliatifs est ouvert sur déclaration présentée par le médecin traitant sur ce formulaire spécial comprenant un volet administratif et un volet médical. La déclaration est à adresser par le médecin traitant signataire du formulaire au Contrôle médical de la sécurité sociale, sous pli fermé. La déclaration est validée par le Contrôle médical de la sécurité sociale.
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Déclaration de prolongation en vue de l'obtention des soins palliatifs
Le droit aux soins palliatifs expire dans le délai de 35 jours à partir de la date de son ouverture. A titre exceptionnel, ce droit peut être prorogé pour une ou plusieurs périodes supplémentaires de 35 jours.
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