Osteopaths confused by new law

According to Christian Social People's Party MP Françoise Hetto-Gaasch the new law recognising the legal status of osteopathy in Luxembourg has caused some confusion amongst patients and practitioners alike. To shed some light on the remaining questions, the MP addressed a parliamentary question to the ministry of health and social security services. Hetto-Gaasch got her answer, but it instead of clearing things up, it caused even more confusion amongst osteopaths.

Luxembourg's osteopath association ALDO is glad that the profession finally has a legally recognised status as a health profession. Osteopaths now have until 31 March to hand in their candidature to the ministry of health, in order to be officially approved. This is a first symbolic step, but patients have yet to reap any financial benefits from the new law. ALDO president Jean Bofferding stated that this is unlikely to change in the foreseeable future. Patients still have to pay their osteopath visits, including VAT charges.

The new health minister Etienne Schneider and minister for social security Romain Schneider pointed out that a representative group of osteopaths would need to be created to start negotiations with the national health fund CNS and to form an agreement on patient reimbursement. There is a fair bit of confusion on the side of the osteopathy professionals, who say that they are ready to start discussions with the CNS.

Currently, the national health fund only covers osteopathy appointments if they have been prescribed by a doctor. This is a practice the ALDO association has opposed for a long time. They would prefer that patients without a prescription can also be reimbursed for osteopathy treatments.

According to the two ministers, the government is currently not planning to do more to promote osteopathy. An agreement between osteopaths and the CNS would have to the the next step for all parties involved.