Insurance – EHIC

General information concerning access to health care during a temporary stay in Poland

 

 

An EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) gives you the right to access state-provided healthcare during a temporary stay in another EU country, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland. How does it work in Poland?

If you are entitled to healthcare on the basis of EU regulations on coordination of social security systems, then during a temporary stay in Poland you have the right to healthcare benefits in kind that are necessary for medical reasons and are provided by healthcare providers who are contracted for the provision of such services by the Polish National Health Fund (NFZ). A logo of the Polish National Health Fund (NFZ) is placed on the buildings of such facilities. Furthermore, information on healthcare providers operating in a given province who are contracted by the Polish National Health Fund is available at the regional branch of the NFZ that is responsible for the area.

In order to receive primary healthcare services you should go to a doctor who signed a contract with the NFZ and present your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or a Provisional Replacement Certificate of the EHIC. Primary healthcare (PHC) includes outpatient care provided by a doctor, nurse or midwife of primary healthcare, also in the patient’s home. A primary healthcare physician may refer you to diagnostic tests, to a specialist or to hospital.

What’s covered?

The EHIC covers medically necessary state-provided healthcare at a reduced cost or, in many cases, free of charge, until your planned return home.

This includes treatment of a chronic or pre-existing medical condition that becomes necessary during your visit.

It also includes routine maternity care, as long as you’re not going abroad to give birth.

But if the birth happens unexpectedly, the EHIC will cover the cost of all medical treatment linked to the birth for mother and baby.

The EHIC covers the provision of oxygen and kidney dialysis, although you’ll have to arrange and pre-book these treatments before you go on holiday. You can ask a GP or hospital for advice.

Check that you’re not booked with a private healthcare provider, as these are not covered by the EHIC.

The EHIC also covers routine medical care for people with pre-existing conditions that need monitoring.

More information

More detailed information you will find on the Narodowy Fundusz Zdrowia Website (Opole district)

In case of more questions contact Narodowy Fundusz Zdrowia Opole

Other general information about the EHIC you will find here.