Doctors

As a general rule, I am free to choose my doctor in Luxembourg, whether they are a general practitioner or a specialist, a practitioner working alone in their practice or a doctor working in a group practice.

There are, of course, acts and treatments that require authorisation from my health insurance fund before they are covered. It is this balance between individual choice and the need for authorisation that forms the basis of my care in Luxembourg.

In Luxembourg, the term 'doctors' (excluding dentists) covers general practitioners and specialists (in cardiology, general surgery, dermatology, gastroenterology, ophthalmology, paediatrics, urology, etc.).

Everything I need to know

Basic definitions and principles

In the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, medicine is practised in a liberal framework.

This means that the vast majority of doctors in Luxembourg work as freelancers. They have their own private practices, or join forces with one or more other doctors in a practice.

The role of doctors

The primary role of doctors is the treatment and prevention of diseases. This is referred to as the provision of primary care, which is mainly provided by general practitioners and specialists in medical practices.

I should choose a general practitioner for myself and a paediatrician and/or general practitioner for my child. I should therefore first contact my general practitioner or paediatrician, who will then refer me to the appropriate specialist. If my usual practitioner is not available, I can contact another doctor, in accordance with the principle of free choice of service provider.

Freedom of choice

This principle of free choice of healthcare provider, in this case the doctor, is fundamental. Except in an emergency (where proximity and speed are generally the criteria to be taken into account), I can also consult a specialist doctor without first going through a general practitioner: I do not need a referral or a prescription from my usual doctor to consult the specialist I want. Furthermore, I have the right to change doctor at any time.

Please note: In hospitals, the choice may often be limited, as the structures and organisations of hospitals only allow healthcare professionals approved by the institution to provide medical care.

Medical specialities

The term 'doctors' (except dentists) includes general practitioners and medical specialists.

The various medical specialities recognised in Luxembourg are defined by a grand-ducal regulation. Examples include cardiology, general surgery, dermatology, gastroenterology, ophthalmology, paediatrics and urology.

See the full list of medical specialities recognised in Luxembourg.

General and compulsory agreements

In order to obtain reimbursement from the CNS for my medical acts such as consultations, visits, medical services and prescriptions, I must consult approved service providers.

The good news is that in Luxembourg, all doctors and dentists authorised to practise there are automatically and compulsorily approved and required to respect the nomenclatures and their tariffs.

Conditions for coverage

How do I go about getting the CNS to cover my medical services? All I have to do is be affiliated to the health insurance scheme and the act/service must be included in the doctors' nomenclature.

Affiliation

I work in Luxembourg, so I am automatically affiliated with the CNS or the relevant public sector fund and can therefore, if the conditions are met, insure my family members to benefit from medical care in the Grand Duchy. As an insured person, I have received a social security card bearing my 13-digit national identification number, which must be presented to healthcare providers.

Acts and services provided for in the nomenclature

In order to receive reimbursement for an act or service provided by a doctor, this act or service must be included in their nomenclature.

I can rest assured!
In everyday life, most treatments are naturally included in the list.
If in doubt, I don't hesitate to ask my doctor or the CNS!

I explore the full list to discover all available medical procedures and services, with clear and transparent pricing.

I am looking for information on nomenclatures in the section NOMENCLATURES AND INVOICES

Within the limits allowed...

There are limits to the coverage of my services.

Some acts must be authorised

Some acts can only be reimbursed after obtaining authorisation or prior authorisation from the National Health Fund (CNS), with the approval of the Social Security Medical Inspectorate (CMSS). These acts are specifically identified in the nomenclature of acts and services of doctors as well as in the statutes of the CNS by the acronyms ACM (authorisation of the required medical check-up) or APCM (prior authorisation of the required medical check-up).

If in doubt, I can always ask my doctor!

Do not exceed the number of consultations or visits permitted by regulations

In order to prevent abuse, the CNS will only cover the following situations with prior authorisation or accepted medical justification:

  • Only one consultation or visit to the general practitioner or specialist doctor of the same medical discipline per 24-hour period, except in the case of intervention by the Emergency Medical Assistance Service (SAMU).
  • A maximum of 2 consultations or visits to the general practitioner or specialist doctor of the same medical discipline per period of 7 days.
  • Only 12 consultations or visits to the general practitioner or specialist doctor of the same medical discipline per semester (6 months), except in the case of consultations or visits provided in long-term geriatric care or in-patient hospital care.

These restrictions do not apply to prescription renewals, injections and serial dressings.

Personal conveniences

In certain situations, doctors or dentists are authorised to invoice a supplementary fee for personal convenience (CP), provided that they have informed me in advance and obtained my consent. Supplementary fees for personal convenience are not covered by the CNS.

Medical emergencies

I should only go to an emergency service of an on-call hospital if I become seriously ill or have an accident, for example if I have an acute injury or fracture. The same applies to my children.

Medical centres ('Maisons médicales' in French)

Medical centres guarantee a replacement service for general practitioners whenever general medical care is needed outside normal opening hours, particularly in the evening, at night, at weekends and on public holidays. During these periods when the doctors' offices are closed, the medical centres provide a replacement service in the form of general medical services.

I should know that these services are not intended for medical emergencies, and in case of an emergency, I dial 112 directly.

In Luxembourg, three on-call medical centres have been set up: in Luxembourg City, Esch-sur-Alzette and Ettelbruck.

The opening hours and exact addresses can be found on the Health Portal.

Paediatric emergencies

When my child becomes seriously ill, I can go to the paediatric medical centre or, as a last resort, the paediatric emergency department. Both are located within the KannerKlinik at the Centre hospitalier du Luxembourg (CHL).

To proceed with the administrative admission of my child, I go to the reception and a nurse specialised in triage and orientation will direct me to the paediatric emergency department or to the paediatric medical centre.

  • The paediatric emergency department is open 24 hours a day, every day.
  • The medical centre offers care by paediatricians, Monday to Friday from 7pm to 10pm throughout the year. Weekends and public holidays from 9am to 9pm.
  • The Paediatric Polyclinic runs the EMERGENCY ROOM 7 days a week from 8 am to 8 pm. It is located on the ground floor of the Kirchberg Hospital.

The paediatric emergency services treat children from birth up to the age of 15.

Methods and rates of coverage

There are three ways of covering my doctors' expenses.

1 - Upfront payment

I usually pay my doctor's fees at the end of the consultation and then apply to the CNS for reimbursement.

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

2 - I benefit from Direct Immediate Payment

If my doctor uses the Direct Immediate Payment (PID) system, I do not need to make any upfront payment. I only pay my personal share.

More about the PID system here

3 - I benefit from third-party payment

This is possible in the context of inpatient treatment in hospital (hospitalisation), if the stay exceeds three days or if the invoice for medical fees per doctor exceeds 100 euros. In this case, the doctor can send the invoices directly to the CNS.

Rates of coverage

Consultations in doctors' surgeries and outpatient treatment in hospitals are covered:

  • at 88% for adults,
  • and at 100% for children and young people under the age of 18.

I am entitled to 100% reimbursement of the costs of inpatient (hospitalisation for at least one night) or semi-inpatient (supervised outpatient) treatment, according to the rates established in the nomenclature. However, this reimbursement does not cover the 66% surcharge for 1st class treatment.

The tariffs for medical acts and services are set according to a table (also known as the nomenclature) agreed between the Association of Doctors and Dentists (AMMD) and the CNS. Doctors are required to comply with this, except for personal conveniences and first-class tariffs.

Rates of coverage are always calculated based on the official tariffs listed in the nomenclature.

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