Introduction

The introduction of compulsory health insurance for civil servants and public employees dates back to 1951.

Since the end of the 19th century, workers in particular had joined together in reciprocal and associations to provide financial compensation for their families who were affected by illness or accidents at work. For this reason, the government passed a law on 31 July 1901 that provided for the introduction of compulsory health insurance for manual workers and employees who received only a very small salary. Over the years, the insurance also became compulsory for workers who were in private employment relation. In addition, the benefits of health insurance were also extended to the family members.

In the explanatory memorandum of the 1951 draft law, which initiated the introduction of further compulsory health insurance funds, including the fund for civil servants and public employees, it was explicitly pointed out that workers who were already compulsorily insured due to 1901 law, found this insurance to be an absolute necessity for everyone. Moreover, compulsory insurance was strongly requested by the civil servants and their associations, as medical care had improved substantially over the century, but had also become more costly. The government thus granted the request of the general association of civil servants and the subsequent request of the association of municipal civil servants to introduce an health insurance coverage for these professional groups. Furthermore, the legislator considered the possibility, within the financial possibilities of the health insurance funds, of insuring family members free of charge.

Today the Heath Insurance Fund for Civil Servants and Public Employees is managed by a Council of administration composed of six delegates for public employees appointed by the Chamber of Civil Servants and Employees and six delegates of the employers appointed by the government. The President and Vice-president are elected alternately for a period of five years by the delegates of the employees and the delegates of the government.

The Health Insurance Fund is responsible for the reimbursement of medical services paid in advance by the insured and for the payment of the funeral allowance. A person who feels disadvantaged by a decision of the administration may submit an objection to the President of the Council of administration. The objection is to be reviewed by the members of the Council, who also informs the insured person of the other legal means of appeal available to him/her.

The CMFEP provides social security of the general population of civil servants including 40.000 active workers, 22.000 family members and 13.000 retirees. The administrative headquarters and offices have been located in Luxemburg City since 1952.

The CMFEP is a public institution with its own civil legal personality, subject to the supervision of the Minister of Social Security, which is exercised through the General Inspectorate of Social Security (Inspection générale de la sécurité sociale - IGSS).

A Council of administration composed as follows manages the CMFEP:

• six delegates for public employees, appointed by the members of the Chamber of Civil Servants and Employees of the Public Sector
• six delegates of the employers, appointed by the Government.

The missions of the Council of administration are defined in article 49 of the social security law (Code de la sécurité sociale CSS). These include:

• to establish the budget for the administrative expenses of the Fund
• to establish the rules for the operation of the Fund
• to take case-by-case decisions, without prejudice of the article 51, paragraph 2 regarding benefits provided by the Fund with the exception of                decisions regarding benefits covered by the National Health Fund (Caisse nationale de santé - CNS)
• to manage the real property assets of the Fund
• to take decisions regarding the personnel of the CMFEP

The current composition of the Council of administration: