Poles spent PLN 548.8 million on private health insurance at the end of Q2 2022, according to the data of the Polish Insurance Association (PIU). Health insurance policies were bought by 3.95 million Poles, which means an increase by 11.6% y / y.
“We have been observing an increase in health care spending for several years, but it is being consumed by the costs of fighting the coronavirus and rising costs of medical services, resulting from medical inflation driven by rising prices and staff wage expectations. For this reason, the actual number of benefits and the availability of services in real terms. This translates into a growing health debt. On the other hand, we can see that despite the increase in the cost of living, according to PIU data, only 10% of insurance agents faced customers with the desire to resign or limit health insurance. the last insurance, which Poles are leaving as part of their savings. We can also see that an increasing number of new people are buying at least good and cheap health policies. This is a signal that they see the need to test such a solution,” said Dorota M. Fal, adviser to the management board of PIU.
Current private expenditure on health care increased in 2021 by PLN 5.4 billion (12.5%) compared to 2020 and amounted to PLN 47.4 billion in 2021, which constitutes 1.8% of GDP. Their growth was influenced, among others, by increase in direct household expenditure, which amounted to PLN 33.8 billion, i.e. by 4.1 billion (14%) more than in the previous year. At that time, current public expenditure also increased by 14% and amounted to PLN 125.5 billion. The increase in public expenditure on health care in 2021 increased by PLN 25 billion, i.e. by 21.5%. However, hospitals provided 22% less services in 2021 than in 2020 and 15% less than in 2019.
According to the “Risk Map of Poles” prepared by PIU, 81% of Poles fear cancer, 80% fear loss of fitness, and 76% fear brain damage. 7 out of 10 respondents are afraid of the unavailability of medical care. The same number of respondents stated that they could pay additional health insurance if this amount could be deducted from the tax, it was announced.
“Private health insurance should not be perceived as a competition or a substitute for compulsory health insurance benefits. The target model should combine both solutions that will allow faster and more effective management of the entire diagnostic and treatment process: from planning preventive measures, implementing a healthy lifestyle, through visits. However, in such a model there should be a clear signal from decision-makers and a system of incentives for citizens to invest in their health. This is especially important in a situation where the increase in the cost of medical services will continue to increase. This is a significant barrier for many patients, which will get worse as inflation increases,” added Fal.
Source: PIU and ISBnews
