Changes to the financing of healthcare services may hit patients sooner than expected. The planned limitation by the National Health Fund (NFZ) on reimbursements for excess services is raising concerns about access to diagnostic tests and specialist consultations in the coming month. “The first quarter hasn’t even ended yet, and the NFZ is already on the brink of insolvency. The government claims that hospitals’ excess services are ‘unfair’. Seriously?” commented Mateusz Morawiecki, former Prime Minister of Poland, on the X platform.
The National Health Fund plans to cover only 40 percent of the costs of services in outpatient specialist care (AOS) performed above contracted limits, instead of the previous 100 percent.
Already this month, the NFZ proposed such settlement rules for procedures including colonoscopy, gastroscopy, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging. These actions have sparked criticism both among the public and the opposition.
Procedures Only Until April?
Moreover, a few days ago, media outlets reported – citing information provided by the spokesperson of the Supreme Medical Chamber, Jakub Kosikowski – that from April, more than a dozen clinics and outpatient centers in Poland will limit patient admissions. The reason is precisely the planned changes in diagnostic settlements by the NFZ. Although only the first quarter of the year is coming to an end, many facilities have already exhausted their NFZ contracts or will do so soon.
“The first quarter hasn’t even ended yet, and the NFZ is already on the brink of insolvency. The government claims that hospitals’ excess services are ‘unfair’. Seriously?” the former Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki reiterated on social media.
“Patient, remember: according to this government, you exist for the NFZ, not the NFZ for you. You fall ill after the limit is exhausted? Tough luck. What matters is that the spreadsheets add up”, the post continues.
In the former head of government’s view, “for those in power, treatment is a business, the patient is a client, and the health of Poles is a cost to be cut.”
Donald Tusk is like Lord Farquaad from Shrek: “Many of you will probably fall ill, but it is a sacrifice I am willing to make.” he added.