To be eligible for reimbursement from the CNS or the competent public sector fund, all services provided by a psychotherapist must be prescribed by a doctor, certifying that there is no medical contraindication to psychotherapy.
Acts and services covered
Psychotherapists in Luxembourg may provide the following services covered by health insurance:
- Introductory psychotherapy (SP01)
- Supportive psychotherapy (SP02)
- Extended supportive psychotherapy (SP03)
In line with the descriptions of these acts, the treatment is structured and the acts/services follow one another.
Conditions for coverage
Medical prescription
Services provided by psychotherapists are only covered by health insurance if prescribed by a doctor.
With their medical prescription, doctors certify that there is no medical contraindication to psychotherapy, that the mental or behavioural disorder has no somatic origin, or that it is being treated, and that psychotherapeutic treatment is appropriate.
SP01 - Prior or subsequent prescription
For the introductory psychotherapy session (SP01), the medical prescription does not need to be issued before the session is started.
The insured may receive one to three sessions of introductory psychotherapy without a medical prescription issued prior to services provided. However, a medical prescription is required and must be issued within 90 days of the first session of introductory psychotherapy for which reimbursement is claimed.
SP02 and SP03 - Prior prescription only
For supportive psychotherapy (SP02) and extended supportive psychotherapy (SP03), a doctor's prescription must be issued before the start of the sessions.
Start of treatment
Unless otherwise specified by the doctor, medical prescriptions for services of psychotherapists may only be reimbursed by health insurance if the treatment is started within 90 days of the prescription's issue date.
Cumulation of acts
Only one act of the nomenclature (SP01, SP02 or SP03) can be used per day.
Limitations
1. Limitations over time
Coverage of psychotherapy is limited in time:
- Every 5 years, up to 3 acts SP01 (introductory psychotherapy) and up to 24 acts SP02 (supportive psychotherapy)
- Every 10 years, up to 120 acts SP03 (extended supportive psychotherapy)
The 5-year and 10-year periods are calculated from the issue date of the medical prescription resulting in the coverage of an introductory psychotherapy session (SP01), which marks the beginning of the treatment.
Practical example
Medical prescription for SP01 issued on 15.05.2023. This date is the treatment's starting date.
The insured person claims reimbursement for the SP01 session(s) following the prescription which certifies that there are no contraindications.
From this moment on, the periods for limitation of coverage in time begin.
The insured is therefore entitled to reimbursement of:
- up to 3 acts SP01 during the period 14.02.2023 - 14.05.2028 (5 years + 90 days before the date of the prescription)
Explanation: The medical prescription for SP01 does not have to be issued in advance, but at the latest within 90 days after the SP01 session. Therefore, this period of 90 days before the prescription date must be taken into account: 15.05.2023 - 90 days = 14.02.2023. - up to 24 acts SP02 during the period 15.05.2023 - 14.05.2028 (5 years)
- up to 120 acts SP03 during the period 15.05.2023 - 14.05.2033 (10 years)
2. Limitations per prescription
The first medical prescription covers a maximum of 27 sessions:
- 3 sessions of introductory psychotherapy (SP01), and
- 24 sessions of supportive psychotherapy (SP02).
Thereafter, a new medical prescription is required for each 24 sessions of extended supportive psychotherapy (SP03).
The prescriptions must comply with the criteria listed above (see "Medical prescription").
Coverage of costs
Method of payment
Upfront payment
The psychotherapist issues one or several invoices showing the total amount to be paid, i.e. the part to be covered by health insurance and the part to be paid by the insured person. After payment, the insured submits a reimbursement request to their competent health fund (CNS or public sector sickness fund) for reimbursement of the portion covered by health insurance.
The insured person sends a reimbursement claim to the competent health insurance fund, including:
- the psychotherapist's invoice(s). These invoices must be paid and receipted and bear the insured person's 13-digit identification number, surname and first name.
- the original medical prescription, to be sent together with the first submission of invoices associated with the prescription.
Reimbursement rates
Acts and services listed in the nomenclature of psychotherapists are reimbursed at a rate of:
- 70% for adults;
- 100% for insureds who have not reached the age of 18 on the date the medical prescription is issued.
FAQ - Psychotherapy sessions abroad
Can I get psychotherapy abroad?
Yes, you can obtain psychotherapy from a psychotherapist in an EU country, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland. Conditions and reimbursement rates are the same as if you were seeing a psychotherapist in Luxembourg.
Please note: If you are a cross-border worker and you consult a psychotherapist in your country of residence, the health insurance fund in your country of residence is responsible for any reimbursement. Please send your request to the competent fund in your country of residence.
I am a cross-border worker, can I get psychotherapy in my country of residence?
According to European legislation, for cross-border workers, the health insurance fund of the country of residence is responsible for covering healthcare provided in that country. Please contact the competent fund in your country of residence.
Can I claim reimbursement for psychotherapy in Luxembourg on the basis of a medical prescription issued by a doctor abroad?
Yes, the medical prescription can be issued by a doctor established in an EU country, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland. It must meet the set criteria (see "Medical prescription").
Are teleconsultations covered?
No. Teleconsultations, whether in Luxembourg or abroad, are not covered because they are not included in the nomenclature of psychotherapists.
What is the difference between a psychologist, a psychotherapist and a psychiatrist in Luxembourg?
In everyday life, the terms psychologist, psychiatrist and psychotherapist are often used as synonyms, but they are three different professions.
- A psychologist is a person who holds at least a master's degree in psychology and who is active in the fields of counselling, coaching, training and/or diagnosis.
- A psychiatrist is a doctor who has specialised in psychiatry. Unlike a psychologist, a psychiatrist has a basic medical degree and is therefore allowed to prescribe medication.
- A psychotherapist is a psychologist or psychiatrist who has undergone further training in psychotherapy. Not all psychologists or psychiatrists are also psychotherapists. Article 1 of the Luxembourg law of 14 July 2015 on psychotherapists precisely defines the profession of psychotherapist.
Source: Website of ALEP - Association Luxembourgeoise des Etudiants en Psychologie
The CNS :
- does NOT cover sessions with a psychologist
- covers sessions with a psychiatrist (see our page "Doctors")
- covers sessions with a psychotherapist (since 1 February 2023)