Euraxess Poland 
Services Incoming Health/Medical Care
| Health/ Medical care - Strona 3 |
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Strona 3 z 4
Medical servicesThe health insurance system in Poland is based on the principles of equal treatment and equal access to healthcare services. Healthcare services financed by public funds are available to persons covered by national health insurance on a compulsory or voluntary basis. This means that the insured who pay their contributions by a fixed date each month have free access to medical services listed in the relevant legislation. The main institution responsible for the management of public funds for health care, and the pillar of the entire health insurance system, is the National Health Fund (Narodowy Fundusz Zdrowia, NFZ). The national health policy is the responsibility of the Ministry of Health. Institutions providing medical services Free medical services are provided to the insured only in healthcare institutions, both public and private, which have concluded a contract with the National Health Fund. Such institutions are normally marked with the logo of the Fund. Detailed information about the contracted institutions may be obtained from the voivodship office of the National Health Fund. You should know that Poland has an extensive network of private healthcare centres, including hospitals, and medical doctors represnting a wide variety of specialisations. Specialist medical services In Poland a medical doctor providing primary health care (general practitioner) is commonly called “a first-contact doctor” (lekarz pierwszego kontaktu) in Poland. This is because you need to obtain a referral from your general practitioner in order to have access to more specialised medical services, e.g. hospital treatment, medical rehabilitation or treatment in a spa resort. Such a referral is not required in the event of emergency or for services provided by some specialist medical doctors, including an ophthalmologist, oncologist, dermatologist, gynaecologist or psychiatrist. Dental services (dentysta) A range of free dental services provided to an insured person is rather limited. Only children and young people of up to 18 years of age and pregnant women are covered by better arrangements. Moreover, you should remember that only basic dental materials are financed by public funds, and thus you need to pay for any better products used in treatment yourself. As a result, most Poles choose private dental services.
Pharmacies (apteka) Medicines are available only in pharmacies. Some medicines can be obtained only on the basis of a prescription (recepta) given by an authorised medical doctor; please remember that most prescriptions are valid only for 14 days. The rates charged for medicines vary as some of them are reimbursed from public funds. In the case of reimbursed medicines, patients pay a flat-rate amount or only a specific portion of the price. Some pharmacies are open 24 hours, but can make an additional charge for selling medicines during the night. Emergency The National Medical Rescue System has been established in order to provide aid in the event of emergency – when any delay might result in health damage or loss of life. Insured persons have access to medical rescue services guaranteed by the relevant legislation. In order to call for an ambulance, you should dial the ambulance service number 999, accessible throughout the country, or the emergency number 112. |
