Do you have patients who are unable to work for a longer period and you think that a progressive return to work could, from a therapeutic point of view, help to improve their state of health or promote their recovery?
If so, suggest a progressive return to work for therapeutic reasons (RPTRT).
What is a progressive return to work for therapeutic reasons?
Since 2019, the progressive return to work programme has replaced the former "mi-temps thérapeutique" (therapeutic half-time scheme).
This programme allows patients who are unable to work to progressively return to work during their recovery phase, particularly after a long period of illness.
The aim is to enable patients to return to work smoothly and at their own pace, thereby making a decisive contribution to improving their state of health.
As the attending physician, you are familiar with your patients' situation and can initiate the process for a progressive return to work.
Make a request
How is the request made - who is in charge of what?
1. Medical consultation
As the attending physician, you can submit a request for a progressive return to work if you believe that such a return can have a positive effect on your patient's recovery. After discussing the matter with your patient, you can fill out the standard form entitled "Demande de reprise progressive du travail pour raisons thérapeutiques" (only available in french or german), which is downloadable on the CNS website.
Conditions:
- Your patient must be unable to work at the time of the request to the CNS.
- Your patient must have been unable to work for at least one month in the three months preceding the request.
2. Employer's consent
Once the form has been completed and signed by you and your patient, the latter must ask their employer for consent.
The employer gives his consent by signing the form.
3. Request sent to the CNS for approval
Once the form has been completed and signed by you, your patient and the employer, the request for approval can be sent by the patient by post to the CNS (no stamp required from Luxembourg):
Caisse nationale de santé
Indemnités pécuniaires
L-2980 Luxembourg
Before the patient can begin the progressive return to work, he or they must have received prior authorisation from the CNS, following a favourable opinion from the Social Security Medical Board. The CNS will notify the patient and employer of its decision in writing as soon as possible.
If one of the three parties refuses the request, the request for progressive return is not eligible.
Other questions/ Practical information
Does a medical certificate have to be provided in addition to the standard form?
Yes, for the duration of the return-to-work programme, a medical certificate stating that the patient is unable to work full-time must be provided and the patient is considered to be unable to work from the point of view of labour law.
It is not necessary to provide a new certificate if your patient is unable to work during the programme.
However, any interruption of the incapacity for work brings the programme to an end, such as a legal holiday or an early return to work on a full-time basis (100% of normal working hours under the employment contract).
What percentage of the time can or should my patient go to work during the programme?
There are no fixed rates. Your patient can therefore progressively adapt his return to work to his state of health in order to encourage improvement. It is up to the patient to decide how many hours they can work, based on their needs, and to discuss this with their employer. As soon as the patient is able to return to work on a full-time basis (in accordance with their employment contract), the programme comes to an end.
Do the rules on leaving home in the event of incapacity for work apply during the programme?
No, the rules concerning leaving home in case of illness do not apply during this time.