Poland’s National Health Fund (NFZ) is evaluating whether to cover the costs of steroid profile urine tests, macroprolactin, and inhibin B, with a key decision expected this April.
Diagnostic Tests Under Review
Three diagnostic tests – steroid profile urine analysis, macroprolactin, and inhibin B – have been submitted to the Agency for Health Technology Assessment and Tariffication (AOTMiT) for evaluation and potential inclusion in NFZ funding.
The Transparency Council will review the tests on April 13, 2026, providing an opinion as part of the overall process; however, the final refund decision rests with the Minister of Health.
Patient Access and NFZ Funding
The primary concern for patients is whether these tests will become available through public healthcare. Each service considered for NFZ funding undergoes a formal assessment by AOTMiT, evaluating its effectiveness, safety, and cost.
Test Details: Steroid Profile Urine Analysis
This test, typically performed on a 24-hour urine sample, analyzes multiple steroid hormone metabolites simultaneously, providing doctors with a comprehensive “profile” rather than a single result. It is used when initial tests are inconclusive.
Test Details: Macroprolactin
Performed via blood test, macroprolactin analysis determines whether elevated prolactin levels are due to the active hormone form or macroprolactin. This test often clarifies diagnoses and avoids unnecessary further testing.
Test Details: Inhibin B
Inhibin B is a blood test assessing reproductive system function – ovaries in women, testes in men. It’s part of a broader diagnostic process and doesn’t provide a simple “yes/no” answer.
Key Differences Between the Tests
Steroid Profile Urine: Urine (24-hour collection), used for complex hormonal disorders, analyzes steroid hormone metabolites.
Macroprolactin: Blood, used for elevated prolactin, determines if the result is genuinely abnormal.
Inhibin B: Blood, used in fertility diagnostics, assesses gonadal function.
Referral Process and Availability
These are specialist tests, typically ordered by endocrinologists, gynecologists, or andrologists, and are not routine screening or control tests. If funded by NFZ, access will be limited to patients referred by specialists for specific medical indications.
NFZ Funding Process: A Step-by-Step Approach
The path to NFZ funding involves multiple stages: AOTMiT analysis, Transparency Council opinion, the Agency President’s recommendation, and ultimately, a decision by the Minister of Health. Only after completing this process can a test be added to the guaranteed benefits package.
Impact on Healthcare Facilities
If these tests are included in the NFZ system, medical facilities will be able to bill for them under public healthcare, expanding access beyond private options. Clear referral guidelines will also streamline the diagnostic process for doctors.