How to Get Your Bills Reimbursed by CNS – Luxembourg’s Healthcare System

Healthcare in Luxembourg is covered by the Caisse Nationale de Santé (CNS). Chances are that as an expat, if you are employed you are normally affiliated to the ‘Private Employees Health Office’ (Caisse de Maladie des Employés Privés) unless you work for the Luxembourg state.

Once your employer has registered you, a form is sent to you by the CCSS requesting details of all family members and dependents so they can be included on the social security insurance. A social security card (Carte de Sécurité Sociale- CCSS) is then issued to the insured and each dependent by post. This card must be taken with you to any medical visits to ensure reimbursement is carried out seamlessly.

If you are self-employed, you will first have to register with the CCSS to gain access to CNS.

Who and What Are Covered

In Luxembourg, the following persons can be covered primary insured, regardless of whether he or she is from an EU Member state or not:

• The spouse or partner (civil union, known as PACS)
• A child who is either:
  • legitimate,
  • legitimated,
  • natural,
  • adopted or
  • taken in on a long-term basis in the household

Most medical and hospital care as well as medication is covered, but some drugs may require prior authorization from the CNS or its Medical Board (CMSS). Doctors and dentists must comply with rates fixed by the CNS. Reimbursement for doctors is 100% for children under 18 years and 88% for adults.

Some medical services are not covered by the CNS (e.g. purely cosmetic surgery). For these procedures, the hospital costs incurred are not covered either.

Hospital costs such as beds are directly covered by the CNS, adults over 18 years need to pay a cost of 10-20 EUR/night. The CNS does not cover the cost of a private room.

Getting Reimbursed by the CNS

As I had no hospital admission, all I had to do was submit my paid medical expenses as a reimbursement request in an envelope and send it to:

Caisse Nationale de Santé – Service Virements, 125 Route d’Esch L-1471 Luxembourg

As I was applying for reimbursement the first time, I also had to include my full name, address, 13-digit identification number and my bank details. Three weeks later, I was delighted to see that my expenses had been reimbursed.

Despite being new to the city, in the end I was pleasantly surprised by how seamlessly it all worked out with the CNS.