Polish hospitals face financial crisis over unpaid medical services

Polish hospitals are facing significant financial strain due to unpaid medical services and delays in reimbursements from the National Health Fund (NFZ).

In Żywiec, the local hospital reports approximately 82 million PLN in unpaid services. This debt includes 38 million PLN in older cardiology and cardiothoracic claims from 2022–2024, which is currently the subject of a legal dispute with the NFZ. Additionally, the facility faces roughly 24 million PLN in over-limit services from 2025 and further unpaid claims from 2026. These financial difficulties have led to longer wait times for procedures such as CT scans, gastroscopies, and endoprosthetics, and have halted new investments.

Similarly, the hospital in Krasneastaw is struggling with 3 million PLN in unpaid services. The facility has exceeded its contract limits, performing 107% of its lump-sum agreement and 119% of non-limited services. Beyond financial issues, the Krasneastaw hospital is also managing a shortage of specialist doctors, despite maintaining a stable number of nursing and midwifery staff.