Medical devices

This page provides service providers with all the information they need about coverage for medical devices, including insulin pumps, special dressings, wheelchairs and other equipment.

You will find the reimbursement criteria applied by the CNS, the types of devices covered, the steps to follow to obtain coverage, and the conditions of use and dispensing for each device.

Everything you need to know

Need a wheelchair, special equipment or a medical device?

This guide provides essential information on medical devices: their definition, the various lists on which they are included, and how they are covered by the CNS.

What are they?

  • A medical device is any apparatus, instrument or material used to treat an illness or injury or to improve certain bodily functions.
  • Several lists, such as Appendix A of the CNS statutes, list the medical devices and supplies that may be covered.
  • In most cases, the CNS covers all or part of the costs. Before purchasing or renting any equipment, it is recommended that you check the procedure to follow to ensure that the costs are covered.
Consultation of the positive list

Lists of supported equipment or products

There are six different lists of equipment or products.

File B1 — Minor medical products

These mainly include special dressings, syringes and needles, catheters, products for urinary incontinence, blood and urine tests, blood glucose meters, insulin pumps, inhalers, walking sticks and crutches, lower limb/upper limb or spinal supports, wigs, ocular prostheses, breast prostheses and accessories, diapers for children with incontinence, etc.

File B1 contains the complete list with prices and reimbursement rates.

File B2 — ‘Larger’ products

These are mainly supplies that are only provided on a rental basis (with a rental contract), including:

  • Oxygen therapy equipment for use outside hospitals
  • Anti-bedsore cushions and mattresses
  • Walking sticks with 3 or more legs, walking frames with or without wheels
  • Wheelchairs
  • Patient lifts
  • Feeding tubes
  • Motorised adjustable beds and bed bases
  • Cardio-respiratory monitoring — Monitoring of children at risk of sudden death

Medical devices on list B2 are generally rented by the Service Moyens Accessoires (SMA), usually as part of a long-term care insurance file. The rental fee is either set in list B2 or based on a quote. The reimbursement rate is listed and is generally 100%.

The B2 file contains the complete list with prices and reimbursement rates.

File B2

File B3 — Hearing aids

This list includes all hearing aids, ear moulds and accessories, as well as the respective package and reimbursement rate.

More practical information about coverage conditions, preliminary steps, renewal deadlines and coverage terms and conditions can be found on our ‘Hearing aids’ page.

File B3 contains the complete list with prices and coverage rates.

File B3

File B4 — Devices for respiratory pathologies

This list includes medical devices for laryngectomees and for tracheostomy patients or people with other respiratory conditions.

File B4

File B5 — Medical nutrition products

This list includes medical nutrition products, in particular special baby milks, gluten-free products, protein-free products, etc.

Medical nutrition products for babies or children

If special nutrition products are required for children, the insured person can contact their paediatrician directly, who will take the necessary steps.

Gluten-free products

These products are covered as medical nutrition products up to a maximum amount of €276.75 per six months.

Conditions of coverage

To apply for the six-monthly allowance for the purchase of gluten-free products, the person concerned must submit an application to the CNS. The application must be accompanied by a medical diagnosis of coeliac disease.

Certificate of coverage

The medical prescription must be sent to the following address:

Caisse nationale de santé

Service Autorisations médicaments, dispositifs médicaux, orthopédie et transport

L—2980 Luxembourg.

If the application is approved, the applicant will receive a certificate of coverage, which they must send to their health insurance fund together with the invoice for the gluten-free products. It is essential to have the certificate of coverage BEFORE purchasing the products.

Reimbursement request

To request reimbursement, you must submit detailed and paid invoices, excluding receipts, TOGETHER with the certificate of coverage. These invoices must clearly indicate the exact nature of the products and their brand names.

File B5

File B7 — List of medical devices requiring hospital prescription for extra-hospital treatment

This list includes medical devices that can only be dispensed on prescription by hospitals for treatment outside the hospital sector. The hospital is responsible for everything.

File B7

How and at what rate is reimbursement made?

For a medical device to be covered by the CNS, a medical prescription is required. In general, the prescribing doctor is familiar with the necessary conditions and formalities, as well as the procedure for obtaining prior authorisation if necessary.

Prescriptions for devices listed in lists B1 or B2 must be used within the deadline specified by the doctor or, if no deadline is specified, within three months of the date of the prescription.

Some medical devices require prior authorisation in order to be covered.

Devices not listed in lists B

Devices, appliances or supplies that are not included in the B lists of the CNS statutes are unfortunately not covered by health insurance.

Method of delivery and coverage rates

Most devices listed in the B lists must be purchased. The list in which each device appears specifies, for each supply or group of supplies, the reference price or applicable sale price, as well as the associated coverage rate.

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