Laboratories

I need medical laboratory tests!

Whether it's to assess symptoms, monitor health parameters or gain key insights into my well-being, medical laboratory tests play an important role in diagnosis and medical coverage.

On this page, the CNS explains how acts and services provided by clinical biology and medical analysis laboratories are covered.

Everything I need to know

 

Under what conditions are my medical laboratory tests covered?

Choice of laboratory

Unless it's an emergency or I am being admitted to hospital, the sample can be taken and analysed at any laboratory in Luxembourg. I simply need to present my doctor's prescription at the laboratory of my choice.

Doctor's prescription

I must present a prior medical prescription from my doctor in order to be entitled to coverage of my medical laboratory tests.

The prescription is valid for two months from its date of issue, unless my doctor specified otherwise on the prescription.

If it requires several samples, the last one may be taken up to six months after the date of issue of the prescription.

I receive a medical prescription from my doctor based outside Luxembourg

In this case, I ensure that the prescription is detailed and indicates exactly which values are to be analysed.

Are there any limitations on coverage?

Medical justification

For certain acts, my doctor must indicate a medical justification on my prescription. A common example is vitamin D testing. A simple prescription without medical justification will not be covered by the CNS.

Rules on accumulation and maximum coverage

For certain tests, the nomenclature provides for accumulation rules or a maximum number of acts. Thus, certain acts cannot be accumulated for coverage: if they are prescribed at the same time, coverage will be limited by the accumulation rules.

For other tests, there is a maximum number of acts that can be covered. A common example is infectious disease serology tests: a maximum of 12 acts per prescription can be covered. For an initial pregnancy check-up, the maximum number of acts covered can be increased to 16.

Blood test at home

If the sample is taken at my home, travel expenses will only be covered if my doctor has specified on the prescription that it is medically necessary to take the sample at home.

Laboratory tests that my doctor can perform directly in their medical practice

Certain routine tests can be performed by my doctor in their practice. These may include a partial urine test using a test strip or a smear test with direct testing, for example to diagnose tonsillitis.

I consult the list of laboratory tests that doctors can perform in their medical practice.

How does coverage work in Luxembourg?

Method of payment

Tests are usually invoiced directly by the laboratory to the CNS via third-party payment. Third-party payment only applies if I present a medical prescription and my social security card at the time of sampling.

Without a prior medical prescription, laboratory tests are entirely at my expense.

If I have paid in advance for tests that could have been reimbursed (for example, if I forgot my card), I must send the original invoice, proof of payment and the original prescription to my health insurance fund in order to be reimbursed.

If my prescription includes tests that are not or only partially covered by third-party payment (cumulative limits, ceilings or acts not included in the list), the laboratory must inform me of my options. If I decide to have these tests done, I must pay for them myself at the laboratory, which will issue an invoice detailing what is covered by the CNS and what remains at my expense. For acts not included in the nomenclature, if I have authorisation from the CNS, the third-party payment system may still apply.

Coverage rate

Laboratory acts are covered at 100% of the tariffs set in the nomenclature of acts and services provided by medical analysis and clinical biology laboratories.

How does coverage work abroad?

There are various scenarios: I click on the one that applies to me.

I am undergoing tests during a medical examination at a doctor's office

This test will only be covered by the CNS if it appears on the list of medical tests that the doctor can perform in their practice (see the LIMITATIONS tab).

I decide to go abroad for laboratory tests

When I decide to have medical tests done in a laboratory based abroad, I pay the invoices directly and then ask my health insurance fund for reimbursement.

I send the original invoice, with the proof of payment and the original medical prescription, to receive reimbursement according to the rates and tariffs applicable in Luxembourg. If I have an S2 form or if the treatment becomes necessary during a temporary stay abroad (in Europe or Switzerland), reimbursement is based on local rates and tariffs.

If the prescription includes acts or services that are not included in the laboratory's nomenclature, they will not be reimbursed unless I have requested prior authorisation or specific authorisation.

My analysis was carried out at the initiative of a Luxembourg hospital

Tests carried out during hospital treatment, whether during a consultation or an inpatient stay, are covered by the hospital budget. If the hospital laboratory cannot perform the requested test, it will send it to another laboratory in Luxembourg or abroad. In general, the hospital covers the costs, so I do not have to pay anything.

If I ever receive an invoice and have already requested reimbursement from the CNS, the invoice will be returned to me. I can then request reimbursement directly from the hospital.

My analysis is carried out during a consultation at a foreign hospital

It will be reimbursed to me based on the LABO flat rate set out in Appendix K of the CNS statutes.

As a cross-border worker, my analysis is carried out in my country of residence

The health insurance fund in my country of residence is responsible for covering the cost of medical tests carried out in that country.

Payment method for tests carried out abroad

For medical laboratory tests carried out abroad, I generally pay the laboratory invoice. I then request reimbursement by sending:

  • The original invoice, duly paid;
  • The original medical prescription issued beforehand;
  • A bank identity statement (=relevé d'identité bancaire) if this is my first request for reimbursement.

I make sure to include my 13-digit national identification number and send my request to the following address:

CNS – International Reimbursements
L—2980 Luxembourg

Good to know: if I send my letter from Luxembourg, I do not need to put a stamp on the envelope.

Coverage rate for tests carried out abroad

Laboratory acts are covered at 100% of the tariffs set in the nomenclature of acts and services provided by medical analysis and clinical biology laboratories.

Please note: The coverage tariff always refers to the tariffs applicable in Luxembourg. If I am reimbursed according to Luxembourg rates and an act costs €50 abroad but only €20 in Luxembourg, I will be reimbursed 100% of the €20 provided for in the Luxembourg nomenclature for this act specifically.

Human genetics and anatomical pathology analyses in Luxembourg

Luxembourg has a unique diagnostic centre in the field of human genetics and anatomical pathology: the National Health Laboratory (LNS) (law of 8 March 2018).

As a result, this field is excluded from the authorisation procedure for acts not included in the nomenclature of medical analysis and clinical biology laboratories.

For example: non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) for trisomy 21.

Applications should be sent directly to the National Health Laboratory.

Human genetics and anatomical pathology tests abroad

Under the 'GENET' package in Appendix K of the CNS statutes, the CNS will reimburse me upon presentation of:

  • An original, detailed invoice;
  • A detailed medical prescription explaining the reason for the test. For example: testing for genetic abnormalities, family member already affected by cancer, etc.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

If I am a cross-border worker, what about coverage for medical tests and clinical biology carried out by a laboratory?

If I am a cross-border worker and receive medical care in my country of residence, services will be reimbursed exclusively by my local fund, in accordance with the rates, tariffs and conditions in force in that country.

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