In response to newly approved collective agreements, the Association of Doctors and Dentists (AMMD) voiced strong concerns over the CNS’s decision, particularly given the fund’s current financial situation. From the AMMD’s perspective, it is contradictory that, despite what they see as insufficient revenue, the CNS is increasing its spending through new collective agreements in favour of hospital staff – while excluding doctors.
Now, the Association of Liberal Physiotherapists (ALK) has also criticised the agreement reached with hospital staff, questioning why the CNS appears to have the necessary funds to raise hospital salaries but not to adjust payments for self-employed physiotherapists. According to ALK, independent physiotherapists are particularly affected by rising operating costs, including rent and energy bills, and therefore rely on fair compensation to sustain their practices.
In physiotherapy, a universal third-party payment system is in place, meaning patients only pay their share while the remainder is billed directly to the CNS. The tariffs are negotiated every two years and are based on two elements: a base value known as the key letter rate (valeur lettre clé) and a coefficient that varies depending on the type of treatment.
Current disagreements revolve around this base value, which is set at 44.
Speaking to RTL, ALK president Patrick Obertin explained that the proposed adjustment corresponds to a 2.68% increase, reflecting the average salary rise in Luxembourg. He stated that this increase is justified and not arbitrarily chosen.
While there is no strict rule in CNS regulations that guarantees such an increase, Obertin said it represents a standard point of negotiation between representatives of the physiotherapists and the CNS.
As talks have stalled, the dispute has now entered a mediation process. ALK expressed frustration at the perceived inconsistency: if funds are limited, they argue, they should be limited for everyone.
The association emphasised that the issue is “not about envy” over pay rises for hospital nurses or staff, but about fairness. They feel they are repeatedly told there is no money for them – while seeing other sectors benefit from financial updates.
Currently, a physiotherapy session costs between €42 and €52. If the proposed adjustment were accepted, the increase for patients would amount to around 40 cents per treatment.
Around 1,900 self-employed physiotherapists are affected by these ongoing tariff negotiations.
