Hospitals across Poland have begun postponing elective and cancer surgeries as the National Health Fund fails to meet payment obligations for months.
Hospitals Impose Limits on Surgeries
The spokesperson of the Polish Medical Association, Jakub Kosikowski, said hospitals are now self-imposing limits on elective procedures because the National Health Fund has not paid for several months.
He emphasized that cancer patients are especially affected, with many surgeries postponed to next year.
Kosikowski noted that without adequate financial cushion, hospitals cannot continue financing treatments, and those with sufficient funds will proceed without delay.
National Health Fund Adds 3.5 Billion Zloty to 2024 Budget
At the end of last month, the NFZ announced a 3.5 bn zloty increase in its 2024 financial plan, thanks to higher state budget allocation requested by Health Minister Jolanta Sobierańska‑Grenda.
The total budget contribution for this year now exceeds 31 bn zloty.
The fund also plans to ensure service availability in Łódź and Silesia through agreements with medical providers, and to cover excess payments for unrestricted services, drugs in pharmaceutical programs, and chemotherapy.
Further Funding Negotiations in Progress
The NFZ said talks continue with the ministries of Health and Finance about further increasing the fund’s budget within the year.
It added that about 1 bn zloty from bonds will soon be transferred to the fund on the Prime Minister’s directive.
In 2023, the NFZ was expected to spend over 183.6 bn zloty on medical certificates, while the budget contribution had been 18.3 bn zloty.