Health insurance
Health care in Poland is based mainly on the state system, whose condition is getting worse every year. If we care about a decent medical standard, if we do not wish to wait for about two years for a medical treatment or surgery, health insurance is a good solution. Insurance companies provide easy access to ambulatory treatment,as well as to complex hospital treatment. They also offer assistance services to help locate the nearest medical facility or pharmacy.
- Health insurance gives us access to specialists and medical treatment as specified in a contract, without having to queue. Waiting time for admission to the doctor is exactly specified in the insurance contract.
- The insurance contract also contains a list of medical doctors and a list of all types of treatments which you are entitled to benefit from.
Health insurance is offered in Poland by several insurers in the form of life insurance as well as non-life insurance. Health insurance products are quite complex. Therefore, before you decide on signing the contract, read the terms and conditions of the insurance. Decide also whether you need a policy that ensures outpatient services only, or whether you want insurance containing a full-service hospital. You need to note the number of medical partners the insurer cooperates with. The greater number of cooperating medical institutions, the better for the customer. Then you have a choice when it comes to use of medical services in a convenient time and place.
- Read carefully the insurance contract. Check the list of medical treatments,the insurance entitles you to use
- Health insurance still is not a bulk product in Poland therefore it is offered by only a few insurers
After a waiting period (usually a couple of months) you can easily use every medical service offered by a particular insurer. You must remember that health insurance (in contrast to the majority of insurance contracts) often has to be paid monthly rather than annually.
- Remember that the medical insurance premium is paid per month and not per annum
- In the course of the contract (except for a waiting period), we can easily access medical assistance in the field specified in the contract
Let us remember that the insurer's role is to provide an access to benefits within the period specified in the contract. If the contract states that you have to wait for the treatment up to several days, this means that you will not wait any longer. Of course, insurance company will always try to provide an access to benefits as soon as possible. If you need medical help, just call the insurer’s helpline and find out where the most convinient medical facility is. Sometimes you only need to call the medical facility - the cost of benefits is covered by the insurer.
Call the insurer
The insurer will inform you immediately about a place where you can find a medical doctor you need.
Call the medical institution
It is often enough to make an appointment directly at a medical facility. You will be enrolled for a visit when necessary information is completed: the policy number and the name of the insurer.
Settlement details
Most settlements are made in a cashless form. You also have the right to choose a doctor who does not cooperate with your insurer. In that case, the basis for the settlement is a bill or an invoice.