Poland's NFZ Limits Delay Cancer Imaging and Sanatorium Care

Poland’s National Health Fund (NFZ) introduced stricter limits on reimbursed imaging studies, causing multi‑month queues for oncology patients. Spokesperson Jakub Kosikowski said that since 1 April, patients undergoing or completing cancer treatment are now placed in the same waiting lists as other patients, leading to extended intervals for required CT or MRI scans. One 63‑year‑old colon‑cancer survivor reported her follow‑up scan was pushed from August to the following January.

In the sanatorium sector, operators report losses exceeding 108 million złoty over the past two years due to “no‑shows,” with more than 13,000 missed appointments. The industry is lobbying for a penalty system that could deny services for up to 18 months to patients who cancel without a valid reason, aiming to curb the financial drain and encourage attendance.