Pay raises for medical examiners. ZUS is opening up to young people and contract doctors.

• On Tuesday (14 October), the government adopted a draft amendment to the Act on the Social Insurance System and certain other acts (deregulation draft).
• It was prepared by the Ministry of Family, Labor and Social Policy
• According to the government, the new regulations will shorten the waiting time for decisions and improve their quality.

The bill, adopted at the last government meeting, aims to streamline and standardize the way ZUS doctors issue decisions and the rules for monitoring sick leave. "The new regulations will shorten the waiting time for decisions and improve their quality. The adopted solutions also provide for transparent procedures and better working conditions for medical examiners, which is intended to address staffing shortages," we read on the Prime Minister's office website.

The project implements the government's deregulation activities - reminds the Chancellery of the Prime Minister.

Under the new regulations, changes are introduced regarding the rules for employing ZUS medical examiners.

• They will be able to work under an employment contract or a service contract.
• Clear rules regarding doctors' remuneration are also being introduced, based on multipliers of the average national salary ( salaries will increase by approximately 25% ).
• More young doctors will also work at ZUS (5 years of work experience will be required, among other things).

Other medical professions are included in the adjudication process.

• Physiotherapists and nurses will be able to adjudicate on specific matters (e.g. rehabilitation or independent living).
• The decision to refer the case to a physiotherapist or nurse will be made by the chief medical examiner.

Organizational changes are introduced in ZUS.

• ZUS rulings will be consolidated in larger units, which will ensure easier access and better patient service.
• ZUS doctors will receive support from medical assistants. This solution will relieve them of administrative tasks.
• A maximum 30-day deadline for issuing a decision will be introduced. This will significantly reduce the waiting time for a decision from medical examiners.

A new model of adjudication

According to the Prime Minister's Office, after the changes, a new adjudication model will be in place.

• Currently, in the first instance the decision is issued by a single person, by a medical examiner, and in the second instance – by a three-person medical commission.
• After the change, both in the first and second instance, one person will adjudicate – but a different person than the one who issued the first ruling.
• The doctor examining the case in the second instance will have to have appropriate specialization and experience.
• People who applied for medical rehabilitation and received a refusal of referral will be able to appeal against this decision to the district court.

The supervision of the President of ZUS over the quality of decisions will be increased.

• It will be possible to reconsider defective decisions. The application of adjudication principles is being standardized in all types of cases handled by medical examiners and independent medical professionals.
• New rules for monitoring sick leave will be in place.

The periods when sickness benefit can be lost have been clarified. These will be:

• gainful employment during sick leave (except for minor activities such as shopping);
• activities that prolong the illness, e.g., strenuous travel during convalescence.

It will be possible to use sick leave in one place and work in another (e.g. for people with two full-time jobs – if the nature of the work allows it).

The new regulations are to enter into force generally on 1 January 2026.

Copyrighted material - reprint rules are specified in the regulations .