Coverage of healthcare expenses
Coverage of Medical Expenses in Luxembourg
Are you moving to Luxembourg and wondering about reimbursement for your medical expenses?
The Luxembourg healthcare system is based on a simple principle: partial or full coverage of medical care, provided you are enrolled in social security.
Here’s what you need to know to understand your reimbursements and avoid unpleasant surprises.
How Medical Expenses Are Reimbursed
Third-party payment and advance payment for healthcare
Direct billing is becoming widespread in healthcare services. Whereas in the past you had to pay the full amount of medical expenses to healthcare providers upon presentation of the bill, this is increasingly less common today.
However, if you do not have direct billing, you can request reimbursement of costs from the national health insurance funds upon presentation of paid invoices.
The national health insurance funds cover all or part of the costs based on certain criteria. Any supplemental health insurance plans the patient may have may or may not cover the remaining balance of the bill.
Mandatory Registration with the CCSS
In order for the national health insurance funds to cover your healthcare costs, you must first register with the Common Social Security Center.
Only once you are registered will you be able to obtain full or partial reimbursement of your medical and healthcare expenses. The health insurance fund to which you are affiliated will only reimburse you upon presentation of proof of payment.
The National Health Fund (CNS) is the health insurance provider for private-sector employees. The CMFEP is the insurance provider for those working in the Luxembourg public sector.
These two health funds allow the insured person and their dependents to receive full or partial reimbursement for medical expenses, medications, hospitalizations, tests, and medical care, etc.
Reimbursement of Medical Expenses and Fee Invoices
To be eligible for full or partial reimbursement, medical expenses and fee invoices must be related to a doctor’s visit, dental expenses, hospital costs, etc. Purchases of medications and other products dispensed at pharmacies are also covered in full or in part by health insurance funds upon presentation of a doctor’s prescription. This also applies to vaccinations, which are free for those under 18.
Health insurance funds reimburse these medical expenses based on fee statements and invoices issued by healthcare providers. However,these providers must comply with all legal and professional obligations required in Luxembourg.
Medical expenses are reimbursed in part or in full, according to a list of procedures and a published reimbursement rate schedule issued by the Luxembourg National Health Fund (CNS) and the supplementary health insurance funds.
Through their MyGuichet.lu member portal, each insured person can track their medical expense reimbursements in detail. Statements are available online, allowing for quick verification of covered amounts and processing dates.
It is also possible to enable digital document delivery (eDelivery) to receive reimbursement statements and certificates directly in PDF format in a secure portal. This solution provides continuous access to documents, reduces delivery times, and simplifies personal archiving.
Are you a cross-border worker? Visit this page to learn about the specifics related to your status.
Direct Billing: Do You Have to Pay Medical Expenses Upfront?
The third-party payment system allows you to avoid paying all or part of your medical expenses upfront when visiting a doctor, purchasing medication, or receiving medical treatment in Luxembourg. Thanks to this system, you can have your costs covered directly by the National Health Fund (CNS) or the relevant health insurance provider without having to pay the full amount upfront.
How does direct billing work?
In practice:
- You present your health insurance card to the healthcare provider.
- The CNS pays the provider directly for the reimbursable portion.
- You pay only the portion not reimbursed by the health insurance fund.
This system is becoming increasingly common, particularly:
- At pharmacies for prescription medications
- During hospital stays
- For routine medical procedures
- At the dentist.
However, you may still need to pay upfront for certain doctors or specialists.
The portion not covered by health insurance may be covered by your supplemental health insurance.
How do you get reimbursed for upfront medical expenses?
If you have paid medical expenses out of pocket, you can submit a reimbursement request to your health insurance provider.
Documents required for reimbursement
To ensure your request is processed quickly, please include:
- The original paid invoice
- Proof of payment if you did not pay on-site (e.g., bank transfer)
- Your 13-digit social security number
- Your bank account information if this is your first reimbursement request.
In some cases, you must also submit:
- A doctor’s order for lab tests, X-rays, physical therapy, or other specialized procedures
- Additional documents requested by the CNS.
Prescriptions must generally be less than 2 months old at the time of the appointment.
Reimbursement for Medications
Prescribed medicationsare covered directly at the pharmacy through the third-party payment system. You only pay the portion not reimbursed by the health insurance fund.
The reimbursement rate depends on:
- The therapeutic benefit of the medication
- Its official classification by the CNS.
What medical services are covered?
The CNS and health insurance funds cover most of the following medical expenses:
- Visits to generalpractitioners and specialists
- Hospitalizations and surgical procedures
- Dental care (with certain limitations)
- Medical tests and diagnostic procedures
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation as prescribed
- Prescription medications
Certain treatments are covered at a higher level:
- Children’s care: speech therapy, psychomotor therapy, specific medical follow-up
- Vaccinations included in the official schedule
- Certain long-term or chronic treatments
Care that is not reimbursed or only partially covered
Not all care is covered by the CNS. Certain so-called “non-conventional” practices remain your responsibility:
- Osteopathy
- Naturopathy
- Consultations with a mental health specialist, excluding medical prescriptions
- Acupuncture (outside of specific circumstances).
Similarly, optical and dental expenses are not well reimbursed by national health insurance plans.
For these services, supplemental health insurance may cover all or part of the costs.
Track your reimbursements online
Through your personal account on MyGuichet.lu, you can:
- View your reimbursements in detail
- Access your statements and summaries
- Enable electronic document delivery (eDelivery) for secure and fast tracking
Reimbursement amounts and limits
Reimbursements are based on the official rates set by the CNS. Some key points:
- Reimbursements never exceed the legal rates
- Some treatments are reimbursed at 100%, others partially
- Caps may apply for vision care, dental care, and certain specific procedures
Examples:
- Two dental cleanings reimbursed per year
- Glasses and contact lenses are partially covered
- Sick leave covered for up to 78 weeks
Healthcare Abroad: What Are the Rules?
Before traveling abroad, we recommend that you contact your health insurance provider to find out about any reimbursement procedures
In the event of emergency medical care abroad, a distinction must be made between European Union countries and Switzerland on the one hand, and other destinations on the other.
European Union and Switzerland
In the European Union and Switzerland, emergency medical care is theoretically reimbursed based on the European Health Insurance Card and according to the rules of the country of stay.
Outside the European Union
In other countries, you will be required to pay all costs upfront and check with your health insurance provider upon your return regarding any potential reimbursement.
In all cases:
- Request detailed, paid invoices, written if possible in one of the common European languages (French, German, English).
- Choose accredited and recognized providers to facilitate reimbursement, rather than a private practitioner.
- Contact your health insurance provider before your departure to find out the exact terms and conditions
Special case for cross-border workers
Cross-border workers can receive medical care:
- In their country of residence
- Or in Luxembourg
Reimbursement depends on where you receive care and which health insurance provider is responsible.
Read our full article on the specifics of healthcare for cross-border workers.
Should you purchase supplemental health insurance?
It’s important to know that the CNS and CMFEP do not fully reimburse healthcare costs, medical expenses, and medications. Taking out supplemental health insurance allows you to:
- Reduce out-of-pocket costs
- Improve reimbursement rates for dental, vision, hospitalization, and certain specific treatments
- Access care not covered by the CNS
This insurance is not mandatory but is strongly recommended, especially for families and individuals who require regular medical care.
For a monthly premium, this coverage will cover the difference and maximize your reimbursement rate for medical expenses.
Key Takeaways
The Luxembourg healthcare system is efficient but operates on a partial reimbursement basis. To manage your expenses:
- Check your enrollment status as soon as you arrive
- Keep all your receipts
- Plan for non-reimbursable costs
- Consider supplemental health insurance to supplement your reimbursements. Supplemental health insurance is not mandatory in Luxembourg. However , it can be a very good investment against life’s unexpected events. Don’t hesitate to request quotes from several companies.
Learn more about health insurance services.
Understand the insurance system in Luxembourg to protect your assets and loved ones.
Want to reduce your healthcare costs? Opt for a healthy diet, as recommended by the Slow Food Grand Duchy convivium.
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