The medical equipment required to provide these services is typically restricted to use in hospitals and licenced surgeries, a requirement not met by the facility in Esch-sur-Alzette. Consequently, patients may not be entitled to reimbursements from the National Health Fund (CNS).
Despite this, the CNS has displayed some leniency in recent months, as the surgery in question has engaged in negotiations with the Centre Hospitalier Emile Mayrisch (CHEM) to potentially obtain the necessary permits.
Following an in-depth analysis, the CNS identified discrepancies in at least 24 mammogram bills, where additional costs labelled as “personal convenience” were included, which the CNS argues to be incoherent or non-existent.
Minister Deprez highlighted the inconsistency, noting that patients often find themselves receiving reduced reimbursements, sometimes missing out on amounts ranging from €50 to €120, due to these unauthorised surcharges not covered by CNS regulations.
However, the issue does not appear to be a simple billing mistake. The CNS has already notified the equipment operators, Hygie Group, that such surcharges mustn’t be billed. In response, Hygie Group is said to have replied that the group has to do it to remain profitable.
Hygie Group declined RTL’s request for comments.
Deprez currently has no safety concerns regarding patients. All the equipment under scrutiny has undergone thorough inspection and approval by the National Health Directorate.
Deprez characterised the situation as “administrative abuse,” emphasising that patient safety remains uncompromised. “As long as patients’ health isn’t at risk, we’ll continue monitoring until CHEM has definitively decided that they want nothing to do with them,” she stated. “Should that happen, we’ll explore more stringent measures, but we would have to check with the judicial services to see what means we have based on the law.”
Hygie Group claims that patients are informed upfront about additional costs.
The Oversight Committee will ultimately determine the legality of billing these high surcharges, following a recent referral by the CNS. However, Deprez already stated that this could at most lead to sanctions or fines against Hygie Group. In theory, the surgery could simply pass these on to patients in the form of new surcharges.
Dr René Metz, Director General of Esch-sur-Alzette hospital, confirmed previous discussions between CHEM and Hygie Group in 2023. “We asked them to make us a proposal on what this collaboration could look like, including the financial aspects. And we’re still waiting for a response,” he stated. Dr Metz stressed that any collaboration must align with the hospital’s requirements.
It already appears evident that Hygie Group, which is backed by a finance company, is challenging Luxembourg’s pricing model in favour of a two-tier medical system.
The group also plans to expand its operations in Luxembourg, including into the Hollerich area, as evidenced by advertising materials and recruitment offers displayed prominently on a premises along Route d’Esch.
Full report by RTL Télé (in Luxembourgish)
