Hospitalisation, cures and rehabilitation

Starting hospital treatment, a thermal/therapeutic cure or rehabilitation is to embark on an inner and physical journey, a courageous step towards healing and reconstruction. Here I can find all the information available on how to be covered by my health insurance:

  • in the National Centre for Functional Re-education and Rehabilitation (CNRFR),
  • in a hospital for geriatric rehabilitation,
  • in the Château de Colpach Rehabilitation Centre for physical and post-oncological rehabilitation.

To help me focus entirely on my recovery, this section explains how costs are covered depending on the type of treatment

Everything I need to know

I click on the tab that interests me:

  • Hospital care: Everything I need to know about coverage for outpatient or inpatient hospital care in Luxembourg.
  • Cures: Everything I need to know about coverage for thermal or therapeutic cures.
  • Rehabilitation: Everything I need to know about coverage at the National Centre for Functional Re-education and Rehabilitation (CNRFR), as well as geriatric rehabilitation and physical and post-oncological rehabilitation.

In a nutshell

Being admitted to hospital is often a crucial moment. As soon as I am admitted, several aspects, particularly the way in which costs will be covered, need to be taken into account. To help me focus entirely on my recovery, I can find out here how costs are covered for my hospital care in Luxembourg.

  • Can I choose my hospital?
  • Inpatient or outpatient stay: what is the difference?
  • Services reimbursed and supplements payable by me
  • What are the methods and rates of reimbursement?

What definitions should I know?

Hospitals in Luxembourg

Good to know: except in cases of emergency admission, I am free to choose my hospital as well as my doctor from the staff present in the establishment.

Luxembourg has 4 hospitals, several specialised hospitals, and various other specialised establishments and centres.

I click here to access the list of hospitals and specialised centres

Outpatient or inpatient care?

If the care I need allows it, I can be admitted to and discharged from hospital on the same day (for a simple surgical procedure, for example). This is known as AMBULATORY or OUTPATIENT treatment. As with a consultation in a doctor's surgery, in a day hospital, I am free to leave the establishment at my own responsibility. However, if the medical team considers that discharge presents a medical risk, I will be informed and will have to sign a discharge form (discharge certificate against medical advice).

INPATIENT treatment generally involves a longer hospital stay or at least one night in hospital. I go to the hospital under the responsibility of a doctor authorised by the establishment, who records the date and time of my admission. At the end of my treatment, the attending doctor sets the date of my discharge.

What services are covered?

My outpatient or inpatient hospital treatment, as well as my stay in hospital in a standard room, are fully covered.

A standard room includes one or more sinks, a toilet, a shower and an electronic nurse call system.

The doctors involved in my care bill their services according to the official list of medical acts and services, known as the nomenclature. Coverage of these medical fees depends on whether my treatment is outpatient or inpatient.

My child is hospitalised...

If my child is under 14, the CNS covers the provision of a bed for me as an accompanying person. My catering costs are not covered.

Please note! If several surgical procedures are performed during the same hospitalisation, the costs will only be covered if the most important procedure itself  is covered by health insurance.

I am informed by the hospital of the financial conditions of my stay, including the amounts I am responsible for paying.

Which services are not covered?

Treatment not covered by health insurance

In general, services that are not provided for by the legal framework are not covered.

This may be accommodation, i.e. the stay after completion of treatment while waiting for a place to become available in a retirement home, or cosmetic surgery (except with authorisation from the Social Security Medical Board and except for complications caused by the first treatment).

Amounts payable by me in a standard room

If I stay in a standard room, I must pay a contribution of €25.50 per day of hospitalisation started, up to a maximum of 30 days per calendar year. This does not apply to the stay of children and young people under the age of 18, or to the first 12 days of hospitalisation during childbirth.

If I receive treatment at a day hospital, I will have to pay a contribution of €12.75 per day (children and young people under the age of 18 are not concerned). Specific rules apply to treatment in a psychiatric day hospital.

Various supplements (personal convenience/single room)

I have to pay various supplements for personal convenience or a single room (‘1st class room’). These supplements are not covered by health insurance.

Personal convenience services

  • Telephone, TV, internet access, etc.

Stay in a single room

My stay in a single room incurs the following costs:

  • a daily supplement invoiced according to the comfort of the room;
  • a 66% increase in medical fees: the doctor or other doctors involved (anaesthetist, etc.) are entitled to apply a rate increased by 66% compared to the official rates applied for medical acts and services in a standard room.

Good to know: The 66% increase in medical fees cannot be applied if I am hospitalised in a private room for medical reasons.

Medical acts performed in the operating room may also be subject to a 66% surcharge if the private room is only occupied within 48 hours of the surgical procedure or discharge from the intensive care unit.

How and how much will I be reimbursed?

Method of payment

Hospital services are covered 100%

If my hospital treatment is covered by health insurance, the invoice for hospital costs is sent directly by the hospital to the CNS.

Medical fees are to be paid to the doctor

Each doctor consulted at the hospital issues their own invoice, which I must pay and then send to the CNS for reimbursement. However, if my stay exceeds three days or if the invoice for medical fees is more than €100, the doctor can send the invoice directly to the CNS.

The CNS explains how I can request a refund in its section REIMBURSEMENT IN PRACTICE

Coverage rates

For outpatient treatment, doctors' fees are covered at:

  • 88% for adult patients;
  • 100% for patients under 18 years of age.

For inpatient or outpatient treatment at the day hospital, fees are covered at 100% of the rates of the nomenclature of acts and services of doctors.

The 66% increase in medical fees for treatment in a private room is not covered.

In a nutshell

Being able to benefit from coverage for my spa or therapeutic treatment can be an important step in the treatment of various conditions. Understanding the administrative procedures, reimbursements and the different stages of coverage is crucial.

My state of health requires a spa or therapeutic treatment...

  • Under what conditions and to what extent will it be covered by health insurance?
  • What formalities do I need to complete?
  • Where can I undergo a thermal or therapeutic treatment in Luxembourg?
  • What are the conditions for coverage for a treatment abroad?

The CNS answers my questions.

What are the procedures and conditions for coverage?

In Luxembourg, I can have a cure or therapeutic treatment at the Mondorf-les-Bains Thermal Centre. Prior authorisation from the CNS is required for my treatment to be covered by health insurance.

My preliminary procedures

  1. I request a written recommendation from my doctor.
  2. I make an appointment with a doctor practising at the Mondorf-les-Bains Thermal Centre.
  3. During the consultation, the doctor analyses the merits of the request by noting the specific condition(s) justifying the treatment.
  4. If they consider the cure necessary, they send an application for authorisation to the CNS.
  5. If the application is authorised, I receive a certificate of coverage which is valid for one year.

Thus, if I do not start my cure within this deadline, a new application and authorisation are necessary.

Physical conditions to be met according to the treatment requested

For certain treatments, the statutes of the CNS impose specific physical conditions. I refer to the list of cure treatments subject to conditions.

I am consulting the conditions of coverage for the lympho-venous stasis thermal cure (T180)

Coverage is provided only in the case of complicated venous insufficiency or lymphoedema.

I am consulting the conditions of coverage for thermal cures for morbid obesity (T190 for inpatient treatment, T192 for outpatient treatment)

This treatment is covered if I present either:

  • A body mass index (BMI) greater than 35,

or

  • A body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30 in association with at least one of the following criteria:
    • Diabetes mellitus with HbA1c > 7%;
    • Treatment-resistant hypertension defined as a blood pressure of more than 140/90 mmHg, despite one year of treatment with three antihypertensive drugs taken simultaneously;
    • Sleep apnoea syndrome confirmed by a polysomnographic examination performed in a hospital with a sleep laboratory;
    • Android body type (waist size exceeding 88 cm for women and 102 cm for men)
    • Cardiological history (documented coronary artery disease/cardiomyopathy).

Please note! As part of a stationary obesity treatment programme, lunch and dinner must be taken at the spa centre.

Am I entitled to several courses of treatment in the same year?

In principle, I am only entitled to coverage for one course of treatment of the same nature per year, with each new course of treatment having to be requested at least 12 months after the end of the previous course of treatment.

If I interrupt my course of treatment without a valid reason, it will not be covered.

Please note! Outpatient treatment for cervical and shoulder pain or lower back pain (back, neck, shoulder), as well as treatment for morbid obesity, are subject to special conditions:

I am consulting the coverage conditions for the treatment of back, neck and shoulder pain

Outpatient treatment for back, neck or shoulder pain (T200, T203 and T206) is to be carried out over a cycle of 24 sessions to be completed within 6 months, except in the case of interruption for medical reasons certified by the attending physician and accepted by the CNS.

The deadline for waiting between two courses of treatment is set at 24 months. However, a new course of treatment for shoulder pain (T206) may be covered without delay to treat the second shoulder.

Maintenance sessions (up to 2 per month) are covered provided that a cycle of 24 sessions of initial treatment has been authorised and carried out previously.

I am consulting the conditions of coverage for the treatment of morbid obesity

The number of courses for morbid obesity is limited to two per insured. However, fourteen reinforcement modules are covered within 18 months from the end of the morbid obesity course.

How is coverage handled?

The method of coverage

A cure treatment that I receive at the thermal centre in Mondorf-les-Bains is covered by the third-party payment system: I therefore only pay my personal share (the percentage not covered by health insurance).

Please note! My treatment, which was interrupted without valid reason, is not covered.

The coverage rate

Most cure treatments (packages or individual treatments) authorised by health insurance are covered at a rate of 80%.

The loco-regional natural fango treatments (T260) and global natural fango treatments (T261) are covered at a rate of 70%.

Are my accommodation costs covered?

The health insurance scheme will contribute to the cost of my stay by means of a daily flat rate of €61.39 paid per night actually spent in a hotel or other establishment offering hotel services in the municipality of Mondorf. The establishment chosen must either have official authorisation to accommodate guests or be approved by the CNS.

Please note! Accommodation (tent, caravan, furnished or unfurnished room) with a private individual is not covered.

Coverage of accommodation costs ends at the same time as the actual treatment, in particular when it ends at the weekend or on the eve of a public holiday.

If I live in Mondorf-les-Bains, health insurance will pay me a daily lump sum of €17.94 upon presentation of the paid invoices during the period of the cure.

I must pay the invoice of the accommodation establishment and then send it to the CNS for payment of the daily allowance.

Important! To be valid, the invoice must be dated and issued in my name, and must indicate the number of nights and the start and end dates of the stay.

The CNS explains how I can request a refund in its section entitled REIMBURSEMENT IN PRACTICE.

I am undergoing treatment abroad

A cure abroad will only be covered if the specific care required does not allow for treatment in Luxembourg.

What are the formalities?

  1. I make an appointment with my doctor.
  2. The doctor completes and provides medical reasons for the prior authorisation for transfer abroad.
  3. The prior authorisation must be given by the CNS before the start of the planned treatment.
  4. In the event of a favourable opinion, the CNS issues an authorisation for coverage of treatment abroad (S2).
The CNS explains to me how my doctor can submit a request for prior authorisation under the heading ‘Planned care abroad’

Coverage, reimbursement and remaining costs

My accommodation costs

S2 authorisations do not include accommodation costs such as the cost of renting an apartment, for which I must pay the invoice. If I submit this dated invoice in my name, the CNS will reimburse me up to the amounts defined in its official statutes.

If I am accompanying a cure patient under the age of 18

If the treatment is approved by the CNS, my accommodation costs will be covered by health insurance upon express request and up to the amount provided for in the CNS statutes.

I am responsible for travel expenses, which are not reimbursed.

In which countries can I undergo a cure or therapeutic treatment?

Provided that the conditions are met, the CNS will cover the cost of a cure/therapeutic treatment in:

  • A member country of the European Union;
  • Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Switzerland;
  • In a country with which the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg has a bilateral convention or authorisation in terms of social security (Bosnia-Herzegovina, Cape Verde, Morocco, Montenegro, Serbia, Tunisia, Turkey)

Important! The establishment offering the treatment must be approved by the country of stay.

I'd like to find out more about scheduled treatment abroad here

In a nutshell

Starting a rehabilitation programme is like embarking on an inner and physical journey, a courageous procedure towards healing and reconstruction. In this section, I can find all the information about my coverage.

In the context of a chronic or serious illness such as cancer, after major surgical operation or an accident, I need to regain my autonomy and improve my physical abilities.

The CNS guides me through the various centres and treatments covered by health insurance, according to my situation:

  • National Centre for Functional Re-education and Rehabilitation (CNRFR);
  • Geriatric rehabilitation;
  • Physical and Post-oncological Rehabilitation.

For both care and accommodation expenses, I benefit from the third-party payment system.

How is my treatment in CNRFR covered?

  1. My doctor writes a referral for a consultation at the CNRFR.
  2. Following the consultation, the CNRFR informs me of its decision.
  3. Coverage is the same as for hospitalisation.

Authorisation from the CNS is not required for a stay at the CNRFR, but my health insurance affiliation must be in order.

Coverage of costs is the same as for hospitalisation.

Coverage

As the CNRFR is a hospital, the costs of the services provided are billed directly to the CNS (via third-party payment) and I do not have to pay anything upfront.

The same applies to accommodation costs.

Find out more about coverage in hospitals in Luxembourg by clicking on the tab '1 - Hospital treatment' above.

How does my geriatric rehabilitation coverage work?

To be covered for geriatric rehabilitation, I must have valid health insurance.

Admission and coverage vary depending on the type of treatment required:

My coverage for outpatient geriatric rehabilitation

My outpatient geriatric rehabilitation treatment must follow a hospital treatment lasting at least seven days during the previous year.

It can last for a maximum of two months. No extension can be given.

Before my rehabilitation starts, my doctor must send a request for authorisation, along with a detailed medical report, to the CNS.

My coverage for inpatient geriatric rehabilitation

My doctor must request authorisation for my rehabilitation, which in this case must not be requested before the start of rehabilitation, but must reach the CNS no later than three working days after my admission to hospital.

The maximum duration covered is 90 days. However, two extensions of up to 30 days each may be requested and granted in advance.

Method of coverage

Service costs are billed directly to the CNS through third-party payment, meaning I don't have to pay anything upfront.

This also applies to accommodation costs.

What happens during my physical and post-cancer rehabilitation at Colpach Castle?

My admission to physical and post-cancer rehabilitation at Colpach Castle takes place in one of two separate centres:

  • The National Physical Rehabilitation Service (SNRP) treats people who need rehabilitation after an acute or disabling medical or surgical condition.
  • The National Post-Cancer Rehabilitation Service (SNRPO) treats people with functional impairments following cancer or a health event related to cancer.

To be eligible for coverage at Colpach Castle, I must have valid health insurance.

Admission formalities and coverage

  1. The hospital specialist or my GP submits the admission request to the doctor in charge of the relevant national rehabilitation service.
  2. Once accepted, the detailed request is sent by the Centre to the CNS.
  3. The CNS checks whether I have already undergone rehabilitation at Colpach during the current year and how many days it lasted. If applicable, it issues an authorisation before the start of rehabilitation. The certificate of coverage is sent to the Château de Colpach Rehabilitation Centre with a copy to my GP.

Requirements

My application is only admissible under the following conditions:

  • According to the attending physician's certificate, I have functional limitations, comorbidities or a general deterioration in my condition attributable to cancer or resulting from the therapy I have undergone;
  • My clinical condition is stable;
  • For cancer, the requested rehabilitation must start within three months of the end of acute cancer treatment.

Duration of treatment

The duration of coverage varies depending on my state of health and the estimated degree of rehabilitation.

The treatment lasts a minimum of 5 days, but the CNS covers a maximum period of:

  • 30 days per calendar year and per health event for inpatient treatment, or
  • 10 days per case and per year for outpatient treatment.

Beyond 10 or 30 days per calendar year, rehabilitation may only be authorised if the doctor has ticked on the application form that it is a different condition.

Method of coverage

Service costs are billed directly to the health fund through third-party payment, meaning I don't have to pay anything upfront.

This also applies to accommodation costs.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

If I am a cross-border worker, what about coverage for hospital care, cure or rehabilitation?

As a cross-border worker, if my children or I receive hospital care, treatment, or rehabilitation in our country of residence, coverage will be provided solely by our local health fund, according to that country’s rules and rates.

If I need hospital treatment or a cure abroad, how will my coverage be handled?

Scheduled medical care abroad is medical care that can be planned in advance and does not require immediate intervention.

I will consult the SCHEDULED CARE ABROAD page to find out what procedures to follow before and after my scheduled treatment abroad.

I'd like to find out more about scheduled treatment abroad here

During a temporary stay abroad, I needed medical treatment. How will the costs be covered?

Necessary medical treatment during a temporary stay abroad is defined as healthcare that cannot be postponed until I return to my home country without risking worsening my state of health.

I can visit the NON-SCHEDULED CARE ABROAD page to find out about the procedures to be followed before and after my treatment abroad.

I'd like to find out more about unplanned treatment abroad here

Contact us

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