Blood Prices to Rise in 2027: Will Voluntary Donors Benefit?

Starting in 2027, fees for blood and its components are set to increase in Poland, raising crucial questions about healthcare funding and voluntary donors.

Ministry Prepares New Blood Fees for 2027

From 2027, fees for blood and its components are scheduled to increase. The Ministry of Health has prepared a draft of new rates covering whole blood, plasma, and blood platelets, though many wonder how these changes impact voluntary donors.

Although specific amounts appear in documents for each unit of blood or plasma, voluntary donors do not receive financial compensation for donating blood. This raises the question of who actually pays and when money can legally be legally obtained for blood components in Poland.

Proposed Rates and Cost Adjustments

The draft regulation assumes an increase in most fees effective from January 1, 2027. The Ministry calculates that these will average 5.65 percent higher than in 2026 to offset rising operational costs for blood donation centers, primarily employee wages, inflation, and expenses related to testing, preparation, and storage.

Component price changes include whole blood rising from 348 PLN to 368 PLN, red blood cell concentrate from 234 PLN to 247 PLN, and fresh frozen plasma from 126 PLN to 133 PLN. These adjustments stem from the annual fee update required by the public blood service act.

Financial Burden Falls on Medical Entities

Patients requiring blood transfusions during treatment in the public healthcare system do not bear these fees. The Ministry explicitly indicates that fees are borne by medical entities and subsequently factored into settlements with the National Health Fund.

Consequently, the amounts listed in the draft regulation do not end up in the donor’s pocket. They function strictly as an element of financing the public blood treatment system.

Exceptions to Voluntary Donation Rules

Poland’s blood donation system relies entirely on voluntary and unpaid donations, meaning donors receive no payment for the act of donation itself. However, statutory entitlements are provided to honorary donors.

A rare exception exists where remuneration may be paid for collecting certain blood components intended for purposes other than standard medical treatment, provided separate regulations and agreements allow it. For the average voluntary donor at a Regional Blood Donation Center, remuneration is not granted.

Reasons Behind the Price Increases

Several reasons drive the fee increases according to the project’s justification. A number of regional blood donation centers are experiencing deteriorating financial situations, with eight ending the analyzed period with a net loss.

Without raising these fees, maintaining the safety of the system would become increasingly difficult. The new charges are projected to enter into force on January 1, 2027, pending public consultation and final ministerial signature.