Poland Expat Health Insurance
Poland, or officially the Republic of Poland, is a coastal country in Central Europe. To the west Poland is bordered by Germany, to the south lies the Czech Republic and Slovakia, to the east lies Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania, and to the north lies the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave. The capital of Poland, and largest city, is Warsaw. The country has a population of 38.186 million people, which is dispersed over a land area of 312,685 square kilometers, ranking Poland as the 9th largest country in Europe. The local currency is the Zloty (PLN) and the official language is Polish. The climate is for the most part temperate.
Poland has been the only country in Europe not to experience negative GDP growth during the 2008-2009 economic downturn. Poland’s economy suffers due to an inefficient commercial court system, bureaucratic red tape, burdensome tax system, a rigid labor code and widespread corruption. Gross domestic product in 2010 accounted for some US$468.5 billion presenting a per capita earning of US$18,800, and a real growth rate of 3.7 percent. Gross domestic product broken down by sector is composted of agriculture at 4 percent, industry at 32 percent and services at 64 percent of the economy. The labor force consists of 17 million people, the majority of whom are engaged in the services sector. In 2003 it was estimated that 17 percent of the population lived below the international poverty line. The total expenditure on health care services as a percentage of GDP in 2009 was 7.1 percent, giving a total annual per capita expenditure of US$1,359.
Poland Healthcare and Insurance
Management of the Polish health care system lies with the Ministry of Health, the National Health Fund and territorial self-government administrations. The Ministry of Health is responsible for implementing national public health programs, training health care staff, partly funding medical equipment, and monitoring and initiating healthcare standards. The Ministry is also directly responsible for regulation of medical professionals, Medical Emergency services and health resort treatment.
Poland has both private and public health insurance that is funded from a variety of sources. The main source of funding for Poland’s health care system comes from social insurance contributions. Administration of Poland’s national insurance scheme falls under the directive of the National Health Fund (NHF) and its regional branches. The National Health Fund is responsible for planning and purchasing public health services. Health insurance contributions for those that are not covered by the standard scheme, or by national health programs, are gained by taxation through wages by the state. Other forms of funding for the health care system come from direct out-of-pocket payments and per-payment schemes. In 2002, the percentage funding provided to the health care system from private contributions was 27.5 percent.
In 1999 a new three-tier territorial divisional system was put in place to self govern services throughout the country. The system is based on gminas, powiats and voivodships. At each level health authorities assume responsibility for three areas: general strategy and planning, health promotion, and management of public health facilities.
Tertiary medical services are delivered by hospitals, including teaching hospitals and out-patient clinics for diplomats and civil servants. Secondary services are delivered by means of voivodship specialist physicians and integrated hospitals; these facilities carter to both in-patient and out-patient services. Primary care is delivered by at health care management units (ZOZs), this includes most primary care physicians, out-patient departments and general hospital care.
Poland’s health care staff are considered extremely well trained, and healthcare is available to all citizens and registered residents. For foreigners considering moving to Poland without a job, you should be aware that if you wish to obtain a residence permit you will need to prove that you are in possession of private medical insurance. For those moving for employment you will need to register with your local NHF office and provide proof of employment.
It is not uncommon for doctor and medical care staff to take bribes from patients so they can receive faster treatment. For patients referred to rehabilitation clinic they most pay for the cost of food and accommodation themselves. There is a shortage of doctors and nurses in Poland in comparison to other European countries with most doctors located in cities and larger towns. Physicians are the first point of contact in the Polish health care system. Residents register with the Physician of their choice, and have the option of choosing the facility in which they are to be treated should they suffer from an illness.
In the event of an emergency in the home physicians are required to treat patient within the patient’s domicile, rather than having the individual admitted to a hospital. As there are long waiting lists to see doctors in Poland, it is recommended you make an appointment for medical treatment in advance. There are also long waiting lists to see consultants despite the fact that there are more consultants in Poland than GP’s. Consultants operate from health centers throughout the country.
Hospital services are available in large cities and town in Poland; they are divided into different groups depending on the referral. First level referrals are separated into four areas namely: obstetrics and gynecology, internal medicine, surgery, and pediatrics. Second level referrals are in the areas of urology, neurology, cardiology, dermatology and oncology. Third level referrals administer highly skilled treatment by leading medical professionals. Emergency care is administered free to anyone, even those without state health insurance. However, response times to emergency calls can be delayed, and Poland’s emergency services are by no means on par with leading European countries.
There are numerous private clinics in Poland offering both GP and specialist medical services. More people in Poland purchase private medical insurance than any other country in Europe, as there is a general perception that the national health care system suffers from major inadequacies. Dental care is Poland is considered to be among the best in Europe with many people coming to the country solely for the purpose of dental care treatment.
Non-prescription drugs from Poland’s chemists are priced higher than prescription drugs; if you have a prescription for aspirin you will pay less than buying the same product over the counter. Costs incurred for prescriptions are reimbursed by Poland’s national insurance scheme.
Poland Travel Advice
Serious violent crime in Poland is rare, while street crime, including pick pocketing, is common. During credit card transactions ensure you keep an eye on the card as credit card thief is rife. Avoid walking alone at night or in poorly lit areas. Muggings in towns frequented by tourists are not unheard of. Remain vigilant in all tourist areas as you may be targeted by thieves at any time; in particular, be wary at rail way stations and on trains themselves. You are considered to be most at risk when embarking and disembarking from the train.
Over-charging by taxis coming to and from the airport is a common scam and can be avoid by using only registered taxis that have official names and telephone numbers of their company on the side of the vehicle, you will see this beside the occupied/unoccupied light. Taxis that display a crest are not official registered taxis. There have been reports of people having their drinks spiked and their property stolen ensure that you keep an eye on your drink at all times and do not leave it unattended.
Driving can be hazardous as Poland is an east-west transit route for heavy vehicles. Roads are poorly maintained and narrow, even in cities and large towns. You are required to drive with your head lights on at all time. Agricultural vehicles and horse drawn vehicles are common in rural areas, these vehicles move slowly. There were 4,572 road deaths in Poland in 2009 which equates to 12 road deaths per 100,000 people; this is astonishingly high when you consider that there were 3.8 deaths per 100,000 people that same year in the U.K. There is a zero tolerance policy in regards to drink driving in Poland.
Poland Expat Health Insurance
If you are considering visit Poland and wish to know more about the health care options available to you, then call Global Health Insurance today to learn more about your Poland expat health insurance options. Our trained team of professional consultants can assist you in making the right international health insurance choices. Our Poland expat health insurance can be tailored to suit all budgets and medical care need.
Recent Questions / Comments:
| Click Here to Read the Answer | |
| Hi, My mom will be coming from north africa to visit me in the USA and stay for acouple of weeks. Recently she has been having a heavy hand and legs feeling. She has been prescribed a medication that is usualy prescribed for patients with mild parkinson's. I would like to get some second opinion and test(scans) performed on her in the USA. I don't think that she has parkinson's and I would like to confirn this in a center/hospital that I trust. My mom has an inssurance coverage with mutuelle Maroc,which is a partner with SwissLife and AXA. I wonder if she can get an international coverage with your company that will covers specialist evaluation, MRI, and oether scans if necessary. Thank you | |
| Click Here to Read the Answer | |
| Hi, We (Doanldson Europe BVBA in Belgium) are looking for a hosptal & medical insurance for one of our families (family van den Enden) we are relocating to Brockville, Canada. Up till now we haven't found an insurance compay willing to cover the pre-existing condition of Mrs. van den Enden which is bronchial asthma. Would you be able to offer us a solution with an insurance who is willing to cover also the pre-existing condition. Thanks in advance for your reply, Veerle Matthijs | |
| Click Here to Read the Answer | |
| do you have any insurance plan for Ivf treatment? Like if the first attempt is not successful then is there any plan to cover the next attempt? | |
