Poland’s National Health Fund (NFZ) has imposed limits on diagnostic testing, leading to reduced access and protests from medical professionals.
Budget Cuts Impact Diagnostic Testing
The National Health Fund (NFZ) is cutting budgets for diagnostic tests, including colonoscopies, gastroscopies, MRIs, and CT scans. The Polish medical community is expressing strong opposition to these limitations, citing concerns about patient care.
Dr. Iwona Kania, acting Head of the Communication Department of the Supreme Medical Chamber, stated that hospitals and clinics are already beginning to limit the number of diagnostic tests they perform, directly impacting patient access to care.
How the Limits Work
The NFZ has implemented monthly funding limits for specific tests. For example, a clinic in Malbork may be allocated funding for only 50 colonoscopies in April. While the NFZ will fully cover the cost of the first 50 colonoscopies, it will only cover 60% of the cost for any additional procedures, leaving the clinic to cover the remaining expenses.
This financial pressure is forcing healthcare facilities to restrict the number of tests they schedule to avoid debt.
Concerns from Medical Professionals
Dr. Kania emphasized that doctors want to continue ordering necessary tests, but the actions of hospital administrations, facing budgetary constraints, remain uncertain. She stressed that doctors should be able to treat patients based on medical need, not financial considerations.
Dramatic Reduction in MRI Availability
The changes have resulted in a significant decrease in the number of diagnostic tests performed. One hospital, the Powiat Hospital in Puławy, has seen its monthly MRI capacity reduced from 800-900 to just 100.
Medical Chamber Condemns Restrictions
The Supreme Medical Chamber strongly opposes the measures, arguing they endanger patients and destabilize the healthcare system. They support hospital directors and medical staff who have voiced concerns about the regulations.
The chamber highlights the importance of early and modern diagnostics for effective treatment, warning that short-term cost savings could lead to later diagnoses, more advanced disease stages, and higher treatment costs.
Savings Target and Exemptions
The changes aim to generate savings of approximately 625 million PLN in 2026. However, certain groups are exempt from these limitations, including children and adolescents under 18, oncology patients (with a DiLO card), and screening programs, such as the colorectal cancer screening program.
