New NFZ Program in October: Who Gets Free Lung CT Scans

Starting October 1, 2026, the Polish Ministry of Health is introducing a new public lung cancer screening program utilizing free low-dose computed tomography.

New NFZ Program Starting October 1, 2026

Minister of Health introduces a new lung cancer screening program. From October 1, 2026, individuals meeting specific criteria will be able to utilize free low-dose computed tomography financed by the National Health Fund (NFZ). Who will be able to use the program, what conditions must be met, and who will not be qualified for it?

Starting October 1, 2026, the National Health Fund will be able to conclude agreements for the implementation of the new lung cancer screening program. This stems from the Minister of Health’s regulation dated July 14, 2026, published in the Journal of Laws on July 22, 2026. The program has been included in the list of guaranteed benefits within the scope of health programs and specifies who will be able to benefit from free low-dose computed tomography and under what rules. Due to lung cancer, 22,000 people die in Poland every year.

The regulation adds a new item to the list of guaranteed benefits – the lung cancer screening program. This means the service will be financed within the public healthcare system. According to the regulations, agreements for program implementation can be concluded for a period starting no earlier than October 1, 2026.

Eligibility Requirements and Annual Examinations

Qualification for the program will take place during a medical visit. Low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) examinations will be performed every 12 months.

The program provides the possibility of including younger individuals if, in addition to a smoking history, at least one additional risk factor is present.

The program will also include individuals who have completed lung cancer treatment and the five-year monitoring period following the end of therapy.

Additional Risk Factors and Patient Disqualification

Individuals aged 50 to 54 may qualify if additional risk factors give them the right to the examination.

Not everyone will benefit from the program. In specific cases, the NFZ will not qualify the patient.

Post-Tomography Decisions and Anti-Smoking Interventions

After performing the tomography, the patient will receive the result and further recommendations. The regulation provides for three possible scenarios determined by the physician.

Simultaneously, all active smokers covered by the program are to receive an anti-smoking intervention in accordance with current medical knowledge.

Facility Requirements for Equipment and Personnel

The regulation details the requirements regarding personnel and equipment used to implement the program. Examinations may only be performed by facilities equipped with an appropriate computed tomography scanner and personnel experienced in describing chest low-dose computed tomography examinations. Additionally, the use of software enabling automatic detection of lung nodules, evaluation of their volume, and analysis of lesion growth rates will be required.

Legal Basis

Regulation of the Minister of Health of July 14, 2026, amending the regulation on guaranteed benefits in the scope of health programs (Journal of Laws of 2026, item 976).