Poland will implement a centralized National Health Fund e-registration system in 2026, eliminating local waiting lists and covering all specialist care by 2029.
One National Queue Replacing Local Lists
The most significant change is the elimination of separate waiting lists in each medical facility. Instead, one national registry will be created. This transformation affects how patients access healthcare services across Poland.
Initial Services Covered
Initially, the e-registration requirement applies to specific medical services. The Ministry of Health has outlined which examinations and specialist visits will be included in the system’s first phase.
Expansion Timeline and Full Coverage
The Ministry of Health announces that from August 2026, the list of covered specializations will expand progressively. By the end of 2029, the system will encompass all specialist care (AOS) nationwide.
Access for Patients Without Internet
Traditional booking methods will not disappear for patients without internet access. Registration staff will enter patient data into the central database manually. For internet users, the Internet Patient Account (IKP) remains the most convenient tool for checking or canceling appointments with a single click.
System Effectiveness Demonstrated
The scale of changes is substantial – during one week of the system’s test operation, over 84,000 appointments were scheduled with minimal no-shows. This demonstrates that the centralized system effectively reduces wasted appointment slots.
