Poland sanatoriums face major losses from unfulfilled medical referrals

sanatorium NFZ healthcare costs medical referrals Ministry of Health

Polish sanatorium facilities are facing significant financial losses due to patients failing to appear for scheduled treatments without prior notification. According to National Health Fund (NFZ) data, nearly 12,000 medical referrals were not realized in the first half of 2026, representing 5.49% of contracted services. The value of these unfulfilled stays exceeded 75.5 million PLN, a figure higher than the total losses recorded in both 2024 and 2025.

These absences result in wasted resources, including accommodation, meals, medical procedures, and staff time. Reasons for cancellations include unattractive dates, travel difficulties, financial constraints, or personal obligations.

In response, the Ministry of Health is considering regulatory changes to mitigate the issue. One proposed measure is a 12-month waiting period, which would prevent a patient from applying for new sanatorium treatment for one year if they fail to show up for a scheduled session without informing the NFZ. Other options under review include mandatory arrival confirmation and more effective reserve lists.

Separately, hospital administrators in Szczecin have noted budget pressures caused by emergency procedures that exceed the fixed amounts allocated by the NFZ, leading to the postponement of planned surgeries.

Entities

Ministry of Health · Narodowy Fundusz Zdrowia · Polska Grupa Uzdrowisk

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 2 SOURCES] The Ministry of Health is analyzing a proposal to introduce a 12-month waiting period for patients who fail to show up for scheduled sanatorium treatments without notice. www.fakt.pl · www.portalsamorzadowy.pl
[● 2 SOURCES] The value of unfulfilled sanatorium services exceeded 75.5 million PLN in the first half of 2026. www.fakt.pl · www.portalsamorzadowy.pl
[● 2 SOURCES] The financial loss in the first half of 2026 surpassed the total losses for the entire year of 2025. www.fakt.pl · www.portalsamorzadowy.pl
[● 2 SOURCES] Nearly 12,000 medical referrals were not realized in the first half of 2026. www.fakt.pl · www.portalsamorzadowy.pl

Sources

Dr hab. n. med. Konrad Jarosz: szpitale często wykonują świadczenia, za które NFZ nie może zapłacić [radioszczecin.pl]

19 days ago

To zjawisko uderza w polskie sanatoria. Będzie reakcja ze strony rządu [www.fakt.pl]

19 days ago

Roczne kary w sanatoriach. Rząd zabiera się za plagę w uzdrowiskach [www.portalsamorzadowy.pl]

19 days ago