Our country's accession to the European Union made the citizens of the united Europe more willingly and more often than ever to visit Poland for tourist purposes. But carefree tourists also encounter he alth surprises. What to do then?
Soon a relative from England will come to visit me for a few months. Will I have to pay for a visit to the doctor? My uncle is a pensioner, he comes to Poland for tourist purposes.
Lek. med. Grzegorz Borstern , graduate of Postgraduate Studies in Medical Law at the University of Warsaw:
You will not have to pay for any relatives' visits to the doctor. Free care is guaranteed to all citizens of the European Union and the European Economic Area by the provisions on the so-called coordination. If your uncle is insured in England (I think so - he is a pensioner), he is en titled to free medical care in Poland. It should be added that foreigners can use it to the same extent as Poles. Ie. the same rules apply for registration, referrals to some primary care physician specialists, medication fees, etc.
To obtain medical assistance abroad, you must provide proof of insurance in your home country. The European He alth Insurance Card, which was in force until recently, was replaced by the E111 form. It is best to fill it in in your own country, certify it and come with a ready document. If a relative fails to complete the formalities related to the E111 form, this cannot be the basis for refusing medical services in Poland in the event of an accident, poisoning or other life-threatening situation.
If it was necessary to provide assistance, which is in Poland paid, the physician must notify the patient that they can claim reimbursement from their he alth insurer when they return home. In order for such a request to be considered, he must provide a document confirming all medical visits. In the described case, two copies of the medical history should be made. One remains in the clinic or hospital archives, the other is for the patient. The doctor attaches to the document remaining in Poland a copy of the form specifying the type of insurance covered by the foreigner.
If the doctor writes a prescription, in addition to the patient's name and surname, they must also include the number and type of insurance document. Otherwise, the pharmacy canrefuse to fill the prescription or demand 100% payment for the medicine. In each pharmacy you can ask for an invoice for the medications dispensed and then apply for reimbursement in your country.
I hope that your uncle will not have to use a doctor during your stay in Poland. If, however, this happened, and he would not have the appropriate document, it would be enough for him to present a passport and help will be granted. The insurance certificate can be delivered at a later date.
Polish residents who go on a study or a trip abroad are treated in the same way. The same medical insurance law applies to: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Greece, Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, Luxembourg, Germany, Portugal, Sweden, Great Britain (including Gibr altar) and Italy, as well as Iceland, Lichtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.