The healthcare system (Caisse Nationale de Santé) offers a comprehensive healthcare for all Luxembourg employees and their dependants, including medical care, dentistry, treatment and medicine. It is consultant-led, meaning you have the right to choose your doctor and, in most instances, you can go directly to a doctor who specialises in the treatment you require, e.g. gynaecologist.
You and your employer both contribute the same amount to your healthcare, 2.80% of your normal salary and 2.70% of a bonus or extra payment. Your employer also pays into an accident insurance fund, which covers the employee for accidents during work or on the way to/from work.
If you are ill or have an accident you must notify your employer on the first day of incapacity and let them know when you think you will be able to return to work. If you are incapacitated for more than three days you must have visited and obtained a health form from your doctor (or hospital) by the end of the third day.
The health form must include beginning and end dates of work incapacity, the diagnostic code and the date the official report was drawn up.
The first section (original copy) must be sent, with your social security number, to the following address:
CAISSE NATIONALE DE SANTÉ
A destination du médecin-conseil
L-2979 LUXEMBOURG
Claims must be postmarked to the Caisse Nationale de Santé no later than the close of business of the third working day of incapacity (deadline extended to the next working day if Saturday, Sunday or public holiday).
In the event of extended incapacity your employer will pay your full salary for the remainder of the month of the onset of incapacity and the following three months, from which time payment will be taken over by the Caisse Nationale de Santé.
Sickness benefit (including employer and Caisse Nationale de Santé contributions) lasts for a maximum of 52 consecutive weeks. If after this time the medical control board determines that there is a case of permanent invalidity, you will be entitled to receive an invalidity pension.
When you visit a doctor or dentist you will be required to pay the bill in full (usually at the time of visit). You then send the original bill (keep a copy for your records), with proof of payment, to the Caisse Nationale de Santé, where they will process your bill and reimburse the amount covered directly into your bank account.
Please note: with your first claim you should include details of your bank account (IBAN and BIC code numbers), social security number and contact details.
In general you contribute 0-20% of the cost for a doctor's visit and 0-40% for medicine, depending on the situation. You do not have to include postage on your claim, unless you send it by registered mail, as payment is covered by the Caisse Nationale de Santé.
It is sometimes possible to visit a specialist in another country but it is best to gain agreement, via your doctor, that the Caisse Nationale de Santé will cover the costs before you attend the appointment.
Once registered for social security you and your dependants will receive the following healthcare treatment:
It might be worth considering taking out a supplemental private insurance to cover the percentage of payment which is not covered by the Caisse Nationale de Santé. These payments are normally low in cost and will cover expenses such as a 1st class hospital room, extra dental work or additional coverage for eye care. You should be aware that in some instances you may not be able to submit a claim for the first year of coverage.
Address for sending a claim for reimbursement:
CAISSE NATIONALE DE SANTÉ
Counter number __
L-2972 Luxembourg
Counter numbers are dependent on first two letters of surname:
Counter 1 – Aa-Da
Counter 2 – Db-Gr
Counter 3 – Gs-La
Counter 4 – Lb-Pa
Counter 5 – Pb-Sh
Counter 6 – Si-Zz