On Friday 14 August, the mediator appointed for the negotiations between the Luxembourg Association of Doctors and Dentists (AMMD) and the National Health Fund (CNS) declared a non-conciliation.
In their statement, the CNS said it was disappointing that no agreement had been struck, but that nothing would change for the people insured with CNS. When the current agreement runs out in two months' time, a Grand Ducal regulation will come into play, ensuring no interruption to the care offered to patients, and reimbursement will continue as normal.
"In practical terms: consultations will proceed under the same conditions as before, and there is no reason to fear any interruption in healthcare coverage or reimbursements by health insurance solely due to the decision announced by the AMMD", the CNS wrote.
The CNS also said it was open for constructive dialogue with the doctors association on any issues required. Those in the medical profession have every right to consider their working conditions and the evolution of the healthcare system, as well as making demands, according to the fund.
The statement also clarified that while some topics of discussion in recent months fall under the scope of the agreement with the CNS, such as administrative management, others, such as the organisation of the outpatient sector, or autonomy over doctors' fees, concern the healthcare and social security systems, and are therefore matters to be considered by the government.
The CNS added that their insistence on adhering to the legal framework did not correlate to unwillingness to negotiate.
