New rules are coming. From July 1, it will be easier to get spa treatment and rehabilitation
- The Ministry of Health has decided to significantly simplify the form. The data that must be included in it has been grouped into three basic sections.
- It also expanded the group of specialists authorized to approve referrals for spa treatment in regional branches of the National Health Fund. Previously, only balneologists and specialists in physical medicine or medical rehabilitation could do so.
- The Ministry emphasizes that referrals issued before July 1 will remain valid and will be confirmed according to the current rules.
The previous referral form was met with criticism. It was accused of being too extensive, which meant that more time had to be spent filling it in. According to doctors, the need to fill in, for example, the results of basic tests or to include detailed descriptions of the test in the document was an unnecessary burden .
And although this form of referral required some effort, there was still no shortage of cases of patients being referred to the wrong type of service or referrals being approved for people who did not meet the criteria. In connection with this, the Ministry of Health decided to significantly simplify the form . The data that should be included in it was grouped into three basic sections:
- indications for treatment,
- contraindications,
- significant deviations from the norm.
According to the ministry , from 1 July it will no longer be necessary to enter, for example, blood pressure, pulse, weight or height, as well as detailed descriptions of the correct condition of body systems and the results of standard laboratory tests, provided that there are no irregularities in them . In addition, entering information about spa treatments in the last 3 years is unnecessary, because they are available in the National Health Fund systems, and for the referring physician often difficult to obtain.
As part of the amendment to the regulation , the group of specialists authorized to approve referrals for spa treatment in regional branches of the National Health Fund has also been expanded . Previously, only balneologists and specialists in physical medicine or medical rehabilitation could do so, and now doctors will also be able to:
- internal diseases,
- family medicine,
- rheumatologists,
- orthopedists.
First , however, they will have to complete a specialist course in the basics of balneology . There is a noticeable shortage of balneologists in Poland, most of whom will soon reach retirement age. Allowing other doctors to issue referrals is therefore an attempt to limit the negative effects of too few specialists of this type, but also a way to reduce delays and ensure greater fluidity in the implementation of referrals .
However, the plans to introduce mandatory courses are causing concern to the Supreme Medical Council, which points out the lack of precise information on the program of such training, the minimum number of hours or entities authorized to organize it . According to the Supreme Medical Council, the course program should be unified throughout the country, thanks to which all patients will have equal opportunities for treatment.
Higher prices for sanatorium stays under the National Health Fund until the end of SeptemberCurrently, there is a so-called high season in sanatoriums, valid from May 1 to September 30. It is characterized by higher fees for a stay in a sanatorium on the National Health Fund than in other months .
How much higher the prices are depends on the room standard. In the case of a 21-day stay, a single room with full hygiene and sanitary facilities costs PLN 859.90, which is over PLN 174 more than in the autumn-winter season.
