The holiday season is filled with hustle and bustle and various situations that can make our heads spin. However, it’s important not to forget about ourselves and our families in such situations. Don’t have an idea for a gift? Consider buying insurance. You can present it to your loved ones. Such a gift will undoubtedly prove to be very practical in the future because one never knows what tomorrow may bring.
During the shopping frenzy, it’s worth considering a gift that takes care of what is essential in wishes: safety and health. These two factors should be the most important regardless of the situations people encounter in their daily lives. Therefore, taking care of oneself and the family is crucial. The most comprehensive insurance can turn out to be of great value for health.
What about these presents?
53% of surveyed Poles have not bought a single Christmas present yet – according to a report by CBRE. 59% of respondents plan to buy gifts 2-3 weeks before the holidays – it was added.
Surprises under the Christmas tree for loved ones are prepared by 9 out of 10 Poles – according to a study by CBRE. It was indicated that 53% have not bought any presents yet, 31% have some, and 4% have already stocked up on all.
As reported, 59% of respondents go shopping for Christmas presents 2-3 weeks before Christmas, and 17% do so a week earlier. 3% of those surveyed buy presents two or three days before the holidays, and 6% buy presents “completely at the last minute.”
How much will we spend on Christmas presents? According to the Provident Star Barometer, men declared that they would spend PLN 813 on gifts and PLN 1107 on other purchases. Meanwhile, women planned costs of PLN 682 and PLN 820, respectively.
The best gift can be an investment in… health
Perhaps it’s worth focusing on… health this year? On a gift that will genuinely help loved ones and make the new year start with new energy and enthusiasm? Even financially, all expense bills may turn out to be more favorable with health insurance. So, if you are already familiar with the costs of potential classic gifts, compared to the policy, it will turn out that the cost of insurance will not only be more advantageous but can also be treated as an investment, not just a temporary gift, but even for many, many years!
All you need to do is find a good insurer who will present you with the most advantageous offers. Health insurance can be purchased individually or for the entire family. The latter option is very useful when we want to protect our marriage and children.
If you’ve already decided to purchase insurance as a holiday gift, you can be sure that you haven’t made a mistake because health insurance can be a smart move in the future. Every day we hear about many accidents, high treatment costs, and queues in healthcare facilities. You never know what the next day will bring, so it’s always essential to be cautious. With health insurance, you are covered not just for the holidays but all the time.
The financial condition of county hospitals is very poor, evident in increasing operational losses and growing debts. The situation worsened due to the reform of the remuneration system for healthcare workers, which took effect in July 2022, with no corresponding increase in the valuation of services. Since then, the financial state of these institutions has been deteriorating.
The outlook for hospitals in 2024 is bleak. The increase in salaries for medical staff poses a significant problem. “Unfortunately, the future prospects are also troubling,” says Krzysztof Żochowski, Vice President of the All-Poland Association of Employers of County Hospitals. According to him, in 2024, another remuneration adjustment for medical staff will come into force, and without changes to the valuation rules allowing for financing the raises, county hospitals will continue to accumulate debt.
“If nothing changes, the financial situation of hospitals will further deteriorate. Instead of allocating more funds to improve patient care, we will have to allocate an increasing portion to financial costs, interest payments, and expenses for untimely deliveries. The system will simply become destabilized, and then, something no one wishes for, the necessity to limit services, close wards, or even some hospitals will arise. It will simply lead to a catastrophe,” continues Żochowski.
According to the Supreme Audit Office, as of mid-2022, there were 313 county hospitals in Poland providing healthcare services financed by the National Health Fund (NFZ). In August 2023, the Supreme Audit Office published a report on the control of their activities from 2020 to 2022. The main problem hindering the functioning of county hospitals, as highlighted by the report, is their worsening financial situation, resulting in increasing indebtedness. As of the end of June 2022, the total obligations of county hospitals exceeded PLN 7.3 billion, with due obligations reaching nearly PLN 777 million.
The Supreme Audit Office also notes that the method of financing county hospitals was changed due to the declaration of a state of epidemic in Poland, causing a temporary improvement in their financial results and only clouding the true picture. In 2021, 16 out of 22 audited hospitals achieved a positive financial result. However, after the first half of 2022, only three entities recorded a net profit, while the rest (19 facilities) incurred a net loss. The audited hospitals faced significant challenges in balancing their operations and had delays in settling payments, resulting in the need to pay interest.
A true financial downturn for county hospitals occurred in the second half of 2022, driven by both growing inflation and overall cost increases, as well as the reform of the remuneration system for healthcare workers, which came into effect on July 1, 2022. As a result of this reform, the scale of minimum wage increases ranged from 17 to 41%, depending on the employee group.
As shown by a report prepared by the Association of Polish Counties and the All-Poland Association of Employers of County Hospitals in collaboration with SGH (“Financial Situation of County Hospitals in Light of the Amendment of the Act on the Determination of the Minimum Basic Salary of Certain Employees Employed in Medical Entities”), this further worsened the financial situation of county hospitals. Out of 211 surveyed facilities, 191 reported operational losses in 2022 (compared to 172 the previous year), and 151 reported net losses (compared to 112 the previous year). Their sales revenue increased by just over PLN 1 billion, operational costs increased by PLN 1.6 billion, and liabilities increased by over PLN 2 billion year on year.
“In the wake of decisions at the parliamentary and ministerial levels – otherwise justified, regarding increasing the salaries of our employees – precise increases in valuations must follow to enable us to pay these raises. If this does not happen, our financial situation will deteriorate,” says the Vice President of the All-Poland Association of Employers of County Hospitals.
For the vast majority of county hospitals, the change in the valuation rules for services (indicated in Recommendation No. 65/2022 of the President of the Agency for Health Technology Assessment and Tariffication from July 2022) did not allow for securing funds to finance mandatory raises and cover the rising prices of goods and services due to inflation.
“In the case of facilities that provide permanent emergency duty, the cost of readiness must also be taken into account. For county hospitals, provincial hospitals, and some others, this is a significant part of the costs. We do not know when a patient will appear, to whom we will have to provide services and then bill for them. We must be ready for this all the time. And this is a huge cost – the cost of the readiness of the block, hospital emergency department, diagnostic facilities, laboratories, imaging studies, etc. This should also be taken into account in valuations,” evaluates Krzysztof Żochowski.
As emphasized, the prospects for hospitals in the coming year are “troubling,” and their financial situation will likely continue to worsen – especially since another remuneration adjustment for medical staff will come into force in July 2024.
“The new government should, first of all, fairly pay for work and make an accurate valuation of services. In fact, it should read this valuation from the market because the government is not here to determine how much a person should earn and how much everything costs. The market creates such data, and mechanisms must be introduced that will provide the government with accurate knowledge on this matter and allow aligning state policy with this market diagnosis. Without a fair valuation of services, without fair payment for good work, there will be no well-functioning healthcare system in Poland,” emphasizes the Vice President of the All-Poland Association of Employers of County Hospitals.
What will be the impact on patients? An increasing portion of funds, instead of being allocated for better patient care, will have to be dedicated to financial costs, interest payments, and the costs of untimely deliveries. The system may become destabilized, and then there may be something that no one wishes for – the need to limit services, close wards, or even some hospitals. There may be a breakdown in public institutions – warns Żochowski.
A modern office may seem like a relatively safe workplace, as long as you’re not washing windows on the 44th floor. However, it’s not entirely the case. Working in an office exposes your health to significant risks every day. A sedentary work mode takes away years of your life
Spending entire days in a seated position is harmful to the body. The resulting aches are the least of the problems. Too much sitting leads to a shorter life, causing musculoskeletal disorders, obesity, diabetes, cancer, heart diseases, and many more. Not even regular exercise can fully protect you from these issues.
If your job requires long hours of sitting, make an effort to take a few minutes every hour to, for example, walk around the office or take a short stroll outside the building.
Slouching in the chair causes back and head pain
Take a look at how you are currently sitting. Are you slouching or sitting up straight? According to experts from the USA, when we slouch or lean forward, our muscles and ligaments tense up to maintain balance. This leads to back and head pain, as well as other problems.
When do you truly get a good night’s sleep? Scientists explain the ideal sleep Based on the opinions of experts from the Cleveland Clinic, we recommend finding the healthiest position for your desk. How to do it? First, sit on the edge of your chair without touching the backrest. Let your body slouch. Then try to straighten up, pushing your buttocks as hard as you can. Maintain this position for a few seconds. After a while, relax a bit, but only allow a slight bend in your back.
Treadmill desks can harm you
Desks equipped with treadmills were supposed to help office workers fight obesity and heart diseases. For a while, they were very popular, especially in the USA. However, as early as 2013, the Wall Street Journal reported that users often experienced falls while using such desks.
Moreover, working at a desk with a treadmill negatively affects productivity. A 2015 study shows that users have limited cognitive abilities and make more typos while working.
Long commutes cause sleep problems, increase cholesterol, and raise the risk of depression
American scientists report that if your daily commute is longer than 16 km, you are at risk of elevated levels of sugar and cholesterol. It also causes anxiety and increases the risk of depression.
However, public transportation is not a walk in the park either. According to data from the UK Office for National Statistics, people who commute by bus for more than half an hour daily experience less life satisfaction. The detrimental effects of long commutes also affect cyclists.
Furthermore, research indicates that most of us are unaware of how much commuting to and from work makes us unhappy. This is a factor worth considering before accepting another job offer.
Motivational meetings are demoralizing
Maria Konnikova from The New Yorker investigated the effects of forcing employees to maintain optimism at work. It turned out that the results were not the best.
One corporate psychologist told her that when employers try to force happiness with motivational slogans, people perceive these efforts as fake, and the result is exactly the opposite. Instead of a group of optimists, they have negatively oriented employees.
Stale air causes illnesses and reduces productivity
Experts use the term “Sick Building Syndrome” to describe the phenomenon of worsened health and well-being of employees due to staying in a particular office building.
There are studies confirming that people working in so-called “green” buildings—with better ventilation and lower CO2 emissions—achieve higher results in cognitive tests than employees in traditional office buildings.
Working more than 55 hours a week increases the risk of a heart attack
A study at a London university in 2015 showed that people working more than 55 hours a week have a 33% increased risk of a heart attack.
Furthermore, it has been proven that working long hours does not necessarily yield better results. Researchers claim that working 60 hours a week for three consecutive weeks makes us perform our tasks more slowly.
Subordinates of a bad boss may have heart problems
The Washington Post quoted a Swedish study showing that chronic stress caused by a toxic relationship with a boss can lead to heart diseases. The longer this situation lasts, the more significant health problems the employee may face.
This is just the beginning. Another study shows that working with a bad boss can lead to depression, sleep disorders, high blood pressure, and overweight.
Working odd hours leads to weight gain and higher stress hormone levels
People who work mainly in the evenings, such as programmers, are at an increased risk of developing type II diabetes, cancer, and heart diseases.
Harvard researchers discovered in 2009 that people who wake up late have lower levels of leptin, the hormone responsible for appetite suppression, and higher levels of cortisol, the stress hormone.
Constantly staring at a monitor damages eyesight
Computer Vision Syndrome manifests itself, among other things, as irritated eye area. To avoid its occurrence, the 20-20-20 rule should be followed. This rule involves taking a 20-second break every 20 minutes of staring at a computer, during which you look into the distance.
Kevin Loria, a reporter for American Business Insider, explains: “Your eyes have muscles that allow them to focus on a particular object. If we stare at one object, in this case, a computer, for a very long time, and after many hours suddenly shift our gaze to something else, the eye muscles will be strained.
Lack of sufficient sunlight complicates falling asleep and reduces concentration
Artificial light not only gives your skin an unpleasant, greenish color but also deceives your internal clock, making you feel sleepy and weak.
One of the American newspapers conducted a study that showed employees who had no contact with natural light slept 46 minutes less at night than those with windows in their rooms. Moreover, the quality of sleep for the former was much lower.
Boredom can lead to a heart attack
It’s not a metaphor; you can actually be bored to death. London scientists argue that people who complain about boredom die younger. The most common causes of death for those who get bored a lot are diseases and heart attacks.
Offices and computer keyboards are breeding grounds for bacteria
If offices are not properly cleaned, they become an ideal environment for the growth of dangerous bacteria.
Researchers at the University of Arizona observed the behavior of a virus strain (non-harmful to humans) that colonized a certain office building. A journalist from The Wall Street Journal, who observed the study, wrote:
“In just two hours, the virus managed to take over the entire office lounge—coffee maker, buttons on the microwave, refrigerator handle. It quickly began to move to the bathrooms, other rooms, and conference rooms. There, scientists observed that it rapidly covered phones, desks, and computers. After four hours, the virus was on 50% of the surfaces and bodies of half of the office employees.”
Scientists warn that antibacterial gels are not entirely effective and may even be harmful because they also destroy good bacteria.
Open space is trendy but harmful
Most offices implement open spaces for integration and communication, but at the same time, it promotes the spread of diseases.
Studies confirm that people working in open office spaces take more sick days than those working in closed rooms.
The health condition of Polish women and men is in a dire state, as revealed by data presented during the 10th Public Health Congress in 2023. “Before noon, 1.2 million ‘monkeys’ will be sold in stores. Some say it’s the most popular domestic pet in Poland,” stated Prof. Artur Mamcarz, a cardiologist. Experts have proposed urgent changes in response to the concerning findings.
From the data presented by experts, an image emerges of an increasingly unhealthy Polish population with shorter life expectancies. We are drinking more than during the PRL era, many are still addicted to smoking, obesity rates are rising, and we are breathing air that is one of the most polluted in Europe.
Poles Drink, Smoke, Gain Weight, and Die Faster
According to OECD data published in 2023, life expectancy in Poland is 75.5 years, 5.2 years shorter than the OECD countries’ average. Roughly every 10th Pole assesses their health as poor or very poor. Furthermore, preventable mortality through public health interventions is 44% higher than the OECD average – with 227 avoidable deaths per 100,000 residents in Poland, compared to the OECD average of 158/100,000.
Between 2019-2021, the life expectancy of Polish men decreased by 2.3 years (from 74.1 to 71.8), and for women, it decreased by 2.1 years (from 81.8 to 79.7). This trend began even before the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, as indicated by Małecka-Libera.
In 2022, 305,000 children were born, while 448,000 deaths were recorded (a decrease of 143,000 Poles).
From the data presented, it is evident that 56.7% of Poles are overweight or obese, 8 million smoke cigarettes, over 2 million significantly abuse alcohol, and only 40% of Poles undergo regular health check-ups.
According to UNICEF, 630,000 children in Poland require specialized psychological and psychiatric assistance.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, a dramatic increase in excess deaths was recorded. In 2022, among 38 OECD countries, Poland ranked first in this regard (per capita).
Dr. Jerzy Gryglewicz from the Institute of Health Management at Lazarski University pointed out that behavioral factors related to lifestyle account for the loss of approximately 49% of healthy life years and around 44% of deaths. He added that the greatest contributors to the loss of healthy life years are tobacco smoking, high blood pressure, and a high BMI.
“It is still morning. 1.2 million so-called ‘monkeys’ will be sold in stores. By noon, half of these people will consume one or two ‘monkeys.’ Alcohol is readily available in Poland. Solutions must be found,” appealed Prof. Leszek Czupryniak, Head of the Department of Diabetology and Internal Medicine at the Medical University of Warsaw.
Experts emphasized during the Congress that Poland has one of the highest levels of air pollution. The European Environment Agency estimates that 53,000 deaths are attributed to air pollution in Poland each year.
“We are a country that derives 60% of its energy from coal burning, and 3,800,000 single-family buildings use traditional heating methods,” said Prof. Bolesław Samoliński, Head of the Department of Public and Environmental Health at the Medical University of Warsaw.
8 Public Health Priorities – Experts on Necessary Changes
In the first two discussion panels of the 10th Public Health Congress, a total of 8 priorities for the coming years were highlighted. These priorities were identified by experts participating in the Thursday discussions.
The most crucial aspect should be the population-wide control of risk factors, a task for everyone. A pressing task today is the rationalization of healthcare spending, as there are cost-effective and non-cost-effective procedures, pointed out Prof. Zbigniew Gaciong, Rector of the Medical University of Warsaw.
The key element in the upcoming period should be the development of a national strategy that encompasses all stages of life, focusing on prevention, promotion, and consequently, secondary and tertiary prevention. It would also break down silos in policy – integrating all actions of ministries that can impact citizens’ health and safety, said Prof. Bolesław Samoliński.
Wise health education as a long-term investment, treated not as a cost, is essential. People need to be addressed through the lens of health gains, stated Dr. Marek Rutka, a member of the Left Party.
“We must deal with excessive alcohol consumption and smoking. It is a significant problem in Poland; it is unbelievable that we have higher alcohol consumption than during the PRL era,” emphasized Dr. Tomasz Latos, former Chairman of the Health Committee of the Sejm.
“I would like all public health graduates to have jobs. Public health needs to be institutionalized. The most important institution should be the National Institute of Public Health PZH – State Research Institute – with access to local sanitary-epidemiological stations,” advised Prof. Jarosław Pinkas, National Consultant for Public Health.
“We are a different country than the Scandinavian countries. Here, the authority of politicians, rulers, is as low as possible, so the ability to introduce standards in this way is limited. We need to apply different solutions; a good example is the sugar tax, but it should be much higher. We need to find medicines and medical interventions to cure people of addiction to alcohol and cigarettes. Now the state behaves like a pimp – it sells cigarettes or alcohol and then treats diseases,” said Prof. Leszek Czupryniak.
In public health, we cannot manage without journalists who are aware of problems and will speak and write about them, as well as without politicians. The solutions they propose, after consultations, provide a chance to avoid problems, noted Prof. Artur Mamcarz.
“My priority is to build a nationwide prevention program for children – everything starts with them, with their knowledge, awareness, and choices,” stated Beata Małecka-Libera.
After 10 years of debate, it is time to take action. We no longer have time for discussions; we know exactly what needs to be done. If there is no leader, a person who understands public health, who will bring together all ministries, consolidate the community, we will spend another 10 years just discussing. We need to amend the Public Health Act and “hardcode” the measures that must appear there, change the organization and supervision – to eliminate the silos of ministries. We cannot afford for the Minister of Finance to provide some “scraps” for a national program or preventive actions. Funds must also come from excise duties and taxes – on tobacco and sugar,” concluded the senator.
Every year, over half a million families in the U.S. file for bankruptcy due to exorbitantly high medical bills. Because, for example, just getting a patient to hospital can cost up to half a million dollars! We present the absurdly high bills that Americans receive. And this despite the act that was supposed to eliminate the phenomenon of shockingly high invoices a year ago.
No country spends as much on healthcare as the U.S. In 2021, medical expenses of Americans increased by 2.7% and reached an astronomical amount of USD 4.3 trillion! That’s USD 12,914 per American! Although, it should be noted that this average is actually higher because in 2019, as many as 29 million Americans did not have any insurance policy at all and the lion’s share of them did not pay for treatment.
The largest economy in the world spends as much as 18.3% of its GDP on healthcare – this is a monstrous amount. Almost twice as much as the average for over 40 most developed countries in the world – OECD countries. Countries in this group spend on average 9.7% of their GDP on healthcare (even before the pandemic, and only 8.8% in 2019).
100 million Americans in medical debt!
Treatment costs dearly in the U.S. So dearly that every year, as many as 56 million Americans incur debts for this purpose or are burdened with such debts by healthcare facilities. About 11 million people among them take out the so-called payday loans – high-interest (up to almost 30%) loans to repay charges on their credit cards. According to Kaiser Health News, about 100 million Americans currently have debts for medical treatment – namely almost one in three U.S. residents.
Millions of them have to cut back on food to have enough to pay such a loan instalment. According to the research by KHN and NPR, over half of Americans have had such a loan/debt for treatment in the last 5 years.
It is therefore not surprising that medical expenses are No. 1 reason for personal bankruptcies in the U.S. – they account for as much as 2/3 of all bankruptcies.
In recent years, they have been declared by … an average of 530,000 families per year! But in crisis years (e.g. 2009), this number even exceeded 830,000. Between 2006 and the end of 2021, courts granted personal bankruptcy to as many as 15.3 million Americans! What leads to such situations? The U.S. media is full of descriptions of the outrageously high, even astronomical bills received by patients. These unjustifiably large amounts are often reduced or even cancelled as a result of the actions of patients’ lawyers or the case being made public by the media. In the media, lawyers also advise what to do and how to do it so that medical service providers or insurers do not rob citizens.
USD 489,000 for air ambulance
Sean Deines lost his job as a bartender in the spring of 2020 – the pandemic broke out. He went to visit his father in the remote areas of Wyoming. He felt bad. He went to hospital in Casper and from there, he was transported by helicopter to the Colorado University Hospital. There, the initial diagnosis was confirmed: acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, a rapidly developing blood cancer. Sean decided to return to North Carolina, where he would be cared for by family and where his insurance company’s main office was located. Angel MedFlight announced that they would accept the insurer’s rates and the patient would not have to pay extra. So Sean flew with a nurse giving him oxygen on board. He was treated in hospital for a month and when he felt better, he received a bill. And he felt bad again. Very bad: USD 489,000 to pay for the flight of approx. 2.200 km. This also included about USD 70,000 for a short distance by an ordinary ambulance – from the airport to a nearby hospital.
Horrendously high rates. As it later turned out, the ride from the airport to the hospital was 30 times more expensive than the standard rate on this route. More significantly, it turned out that Angel MedFlight operated the flight before receiving payment confirmation from the Blue Cross insurer. After the flight, the insurer did not agree to the payment, stating that it was not necessary for medical reasons. This despite the fact that the company agreed to pay without any objections for the previous flight – from Casper to Colorado, even though, the patient’s condition was better at that time. Both companies wanted Deines to pay for it. When the media – Kaiser Health News – started asking about the matter, the bills suddenly “vanished”. Both companies apologised to the patient and promised that he would not be charged with any costs.
The best thing for a trip to the U.S.? An insurance policy
Why is insurance for trips to the U.S. so important? Mainly for two reasons. First of all, your EHIC card does not protect you when travelling to the U.S. Although, basing your health protection solely on the EHIC is not the best idea even in Europe, you must remember that it is the basic form of help in case of health problems. You do not have such free help in the U.S.
Secondly, the bill for healthcare in the U.S., as we wrote, can amount to several dozen or even several hundred thousand dollars. With such high medical costs as in the U.S., insurance for medical expenses abroad should be as high as possible. When you wonder what amounts should be included in travel insurance to the U.S., the simplest answer is – as high as possible. At MediSky, our health insurance covers treatment costs of up to EUR 2 million!
Travel insurance to the U.S. – why is it so important?
Here are some numbers to show you just how costly being uninsured in the U.S. can be
You will pay on average USD 755 for a blood test and from USD 100 to even USD 1,000 for an X-ray.
If you need to undergo surgery, you will pay from USD 500 to USD 3,500 for anaesthesia alone.
Medical care for a broken arm or leg costs up to USD 2,500, while for a sprained ankle – between USD 500 and USD 2,500.
Broken nose? You will pay from USD 500 to USD 8,000 for medical assistance.
It will cost you between USD 1,000 and USD 1,500 to visit a dentist and get a filling.
The cost of tonsillectomy ranges from approx. USD 4,150 to USD 6,380.
A tracheotomy can cost from USD 10,000 to even USD 150,000!
Although the National Health Fund (NFZ) provides free medical care, queues to specialists can discourage many patients. In the case of specific diseases, time is important, which is why more and more people decide to seek private treatment. It turns out that Poles spend a lot of money and the amounts are bigger and bigger every year.
Healthcare expenses have been constantly increasing in recent years. Already in December 2022, the government announced that the budget for the current year would be increased from PLN 77 billion to PLN 165 billion. Unfortunately, despite this, Poles decide to use private medical care. Data of Statistics Poland (GUS) shows a significant increase in expenses incurred.
The GUS data published at the end of July shows that we incur more and more medical costs every year. This applies to both the public and private sectors.
In 2020, treatment costs were as follows:
total public expenses – PLN 109,752.7 million,
private expenses – PLN 42,120.8 million.
In 2021, the situation was the following:
expenses from public funds – PLN 122,767.2 million,
expenses in the private sector – PLN 46,651.3 million.
However, in 2022, the GUS data showed another increase:
expenses from public funds – PLN 153,955.9 million,
expenses in the private sector – PLN 51,603.2 million.
Current expenses on healthcare and their share in GDP
Millions of PLN
% of GDP
Millions of PLN
% of GDP
Millions of PLN
% of GDP
Gross Domestic Productᵅ
2,337,627
100
2,631,302
100
3,078,325
100
SHA 2011ᵇ Methodology
HF.1+HF.2+HF.3
Total current healthcare expensesᶜ
151,873.5
6.5
169,418,4ᵈ
6.4
205,559.1ᵉ
6.7
HF.1
Public expenses
109,752.7
4.7
122,767.2
4.7
153,955.9
5.0
including:
HF1.1
state insurance systems
14,939.4
0.6
25,639.3
1.0
–
–
HF1.2
social security systems and compulsory private health insurance
The analysis shows that PLN 5 billion more have disappeared from private wallets than before. For the first time, a staggering amount exceeding PLN 50 billion was spent from the household budget on improving health.
According to GUS, such data is caused by a general increase in household expenses which, compared to 2021, were higher by PLN 3.3 billion, i.e. almost 10%. It is worth emphasising, however, that in the case of the 2022 data, these are estimated values and we still have to wait for the final summary. This results from the methodology of the National Health Accounts.
How much do we pay for filling prescriptions? A staggering sum in 2022
Separate GUS data shows that Poles spend more and more also on medicines. When analysing the information collected and shared by the Ministry of Health, a significant relationship can be noticed. In 2022, a statistical Pole spent PLN 352 on purchasing medicines from their own funds. The refund at that time was PLN 227. The total value was PLN 579.00, which is PLN 61.00 more than in 2021.
Sales value of prescription medicines per voivodeship resident in 2022.
It also turns out that the situation is quite divergent in the context of individual voivodeships. Residents of the łódzkie voivodeship spent the most of their household budget on medicines – as much as PLN 393.00 per person. However, Poles from the podkarpackie voivodeship spent the least – PLN 301.00.
The Ministry of Health also highlights the type of diseases most often faced by Poles. Cardiovascular diseases come first and we spend more and more money on their treatment. Problems in the digestive system and metabolism come second and the third place is taken by diseases of the central nervous system.
When you think about investing, what comes to your mind? For most people, this will be shares, bonds and other more traditional investments. However, there are other ways to invest your money that can have an even greater impact on your future. Investing in a healthy lifestyle and health in general can lead to many benefits.
Healthy lifestyle
It will help you save money on healthcare costs as well as improve overall quality of life. A healthy lifestyle is one that includes proper nutrition, regular exercise and adequate rest – all of which have a proven positive impact on our health and well-being. You may think that investing in a healthy lifestyle seems like an additional expense rather than something you can save on. However, the opposite is true: when we invest in things like an exercise routine and nutritious food, we save money by reducing long-term medical costs and risks. Here are some ways in which you can invest in a healthier lifestyle today.
Regular exercise
A healthy diet is important for health, but exercises can also have many benefits. Exercising can help people lead healthier lives. It can reduce the risk of heart diseases, diabetes, stroke and cancer. In addition, it can improve self-esteem and mood, and help people feel better about themselves. Exercises can have different forms, such as running, swimming, cycling, yoga and strength training. All of them have health benefits. And while joining a gym may seem expensive, many people can exercise at home using simple equipment such as a jumping rope, resistance bands, a yoga mat or dumbbells. If you exercise at home, you can save money on your monthly membership fee.
Nutritious diet
While some people prioritise exercises over nutrition, these two aspects of a healthy lifestyle are equally important. A nutritious diet contains all the vitamins, minerals and other nutrients that your body needs to stay healthy. Eating a nutritious diet can help reducing the risk of developing many diseases as well as treating existing ones. The best way to ensure a nutritious diet is to follow the Canada Food Guide. This guide provides information on how to eat a balanced diet that includes fruit, vegetables, whole grains, proteins and dairy products. Eating a nutritious diet can seem expensive, but there are ways to save money while still providing your body with the nutrients it needs. First, look for cheaper alternatives to the food you normally eat, e.g. use lentils instead of meat.
Sufficient amount of sleep
Lack of sleep can cause many health problems, including an increased risk of heart diseases and diabetes, as well as mental health problems such as anxiety and depression. To benefit from a healthy lifestyle, it is important to get enough sleep each night. Unfortunately, many people in the Western culture sleep less than they need because they spend more time in front of screens that emit blue light, which can disrupt the body’s sleep cycle. If you’re not getting enough sleep, there are ways to improve the situation. You can make your bedroom a space for sleep, not for work or screen time. Avoid drinking caffeine and eating large meals before bed, and try to keep your bedroom cool and dark.
Or maybe a health insurance policy?
However, the best investment in health… may be a private health insurance policy. Nearly 2 million Poles have learned about its advantages and benefits. This is an alternative to public healthcare, which does not suit everyone. Quick access to preventive and diagnostic tests and consultations with specialists, as well as the possibility to use a wide list of medical facilities throughout Poland – these are the most important advantages of private health insurance. Such insurance gives you a sense of security and, above all, allows you to save valuable time. What can you get with health insurance? First of all, the possibility of quick consultations with doctors and specialists for adults and children. With health insurance, you also gain access to diagnostic tests (from simple tests: blood count, glucose, cholesterol, to tests such as magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound or tomography) and the possibility of prenatal care. The telemedicine service, i.e. remote consultations with doctors such as internists and specialists, is also useful, especially in the context of the situation related to the coronavirus pandemic, which – fortunately – has been already remedied.
Almost half of Poles claim that high inflation is the reason why they lose their mental health. There are more such people than those who do not experience this type of problems. And a year ago, the situation was completely opposite. Currently, it is mainly seniors who talk about unfavourable changes, but it is also worth paying attention to Generation Z. When commenting on the survey results, experts estimate that due to the above-mentioned situation, the economy loses up to several billion PLN per year. They also add that the problem has been growing for a long time, but the worst thing is that it will not be easy to get rid of it. Additionally, they point out that the situation may continue to deteriorate even though, inflation has started to drop significantly. Experts also predict that the crisis will not disappear soon and we, as a society, will have to bear the consequences.
Alarming results again
Currently, nearly 49% of Poles experience deterioration of their mental health, mental condition, well-being or mental functioning due to high inflation. This is how society reacts to increases in prices in shops and a decline in the income value. In turn, less than 42% of people do not feel this way and just over 9% have no opinion on the issue. This is according to the periodic report entitled: “Mental health of Poles in times of high inflation”, developed on the basis of a survey conducted by UCE RESEARCH and the ePsycholodzy.pl platform in the first half of June this year on a representative sample of over a thousand adult Poles.
“In short, it can be said that nearly 15 million Poles may experience deterioration of their mental health, mental condition, well-being or mental functioning due to high inflation. The most common symptom is stress, which – according to our calculations – is complained about by around 7.5 million Poles. The results are obviously alarming. Inflation has left a lasting mark on Poles”, comments Michał Pajdak from ePsycholodzy.pl.
Compared to July last year, significant changes are also visible. At that time, less than 44% of respondents experienced the above-mentioned deterioration (now – almost 49%), over 44% had the opposite opinion (currently – less than 42%) and just over 12% had no opinion on this matter (currently – over 9%). According to economist Marek Zuber, last year’s survey shows a situation in which inflation was very high but its peak occurred at the beginning of 2023. Therefore, the feelings associated with it are stronger and even more visible. Moreover, people experience effects of inflation longer and longer, i.e. they feel it more severely. As the expert emphasises, the cumulative price increase for the last two years has been well over 25% and in some commodity groups, such as food, even much more. In addition, real salaries are falling.
“In 2022, more people could still believe that high inflation would be short-lived. At the beginning, people thought that they could cope with it and the situation would last e.g. 2-3 months. The government and the central bank announced that this phenomenon would pass soon. However, more and more Poles are beginning to seriously feel price increases as a threat to their lifestyle. A year ago, many of us experienced deterioration of mental health. Now, there are also those who previously believed that high inflation would last for a short time or that they would be able to cope with it easily”, analyses Professor Witold Orłowski, chief economic advisor of PwC in Poland.
Most vulnerable groups
The above-mentioned problems are experienced more often by women than men. Looking at the age groups, it is clear that mainly people aged 75-80 report deteriorating mental health. Next are respondents aged 18-24 and 35-44. In turn, taking into account the declared monthly net income of respondents, it can be concluded that unfavourable changes are reported mainly by people earning PLN 5,000-6,999. Next are people earning PLN 3,000-4,999 and PLN 1,000-2,999. The list is closed by respondents who do not mention the amount of their income or earn less than PLN 1,000.
“Respondents with income of PLN 5,000-6,999 are the so-called typical middle class. People who have been able to benefit more and more from the effects of their work in recent years. In the current situation, they are forced to save, which is something they have not experienced for years. However, the problem is not only the increase in inflation but also the related decrease in real incomes. In the case of significantly higher salaries, inflation does not limit purchasing possibilities and with the lowest salaries, the situation has already been very difficult”, says Marek Zuber.
Mental health problems are noticed primarily by people with secondary education. Next are Poles with higher, primary, lower secondary or basic vocational education. In turn, looking at the size of the place of residence, it is clear that this phenomenon is mainly mentioned by respondents from cities with a population of 50,000 up to 99,000 inhabitants. Then there are Poles from cities with at least 500,000 inhabitants. And at the end of the list, there are people from cities with 200,000 up to 499,000 inhabitants, as well as from villages and towns with a population of up to 5,000 inhabitants.
“I think that people with secondary education and from small towns are also part of society that considers themselves the so-called middle class. They have certain life aspirations that they do not want to give up. Of course, they will not run out of money for food and will not die of hunger. However, there is a threat to a certain model of life, sometimes identified with life success. Now, for example, they have to change a two-week holiday in Turkey for a week’s holiday in the country, because they do not have enough money for other expenses. This can be a heavy mental burden for such people”, emphasises Professor Orłowski.
A multi-billion hit to the economy
Questions also arise about how much our economy loses due to the poorer mental health of Poles. According to Professor Orłowski, this phenomenon is very difficult to be assessed precisely. In general, bad moods have a detrimental effect on the economy. For example, people who are afraid of inflation try to limit their purchases. This translates into the economic situation, so the effect is certainly negative for the market. The expert notes that this is the first such a clear and long-lasting increase in inflation that we have recorded in the recent history of Poland. Although, the inflation rate was high in the 1990s, it gradually decreased. Now, there is a completely new situation for people who have become unaccustomed to this phenomenon for the last 20 years. However, it is still too early to estimate such final costs. Nevertheless, the authors of the report partially undertook this task.
“Taking into account only the absence from work of insured people due to mental and behavioural disorders, the cost to the economy can be estimated at between PLN 7.4 and 9.2 billion annually. This concerns 23.8 million days of sickness absence last year. It is also necessary to take into account the costs of replacing absent employees, i.e. their recruitment, training, etc. In addition, there are costs resulting from delayed or not properly performed work, lost customers as well as burdens resulting from the healthcare infrastructure and private medical care of employees. However, the above-mentioned amount is just one of several directly calculable components. The remaining amounts may be several times this value and amount to even several dozen billion PLN per year”, says Michał Pajdak.
As Marek Zuber points out, lower willingness to work and lower efficiency but also more limited consumption are possible effects of this situation. However, according to the expert, the impact on the economy should not be serious. These are not processes that will significantly reduce economic growth but they will be a visible element in it. In turn, Professor Orłowski emphasises that people usually feel inflation more strongly than statistical measurement indicates. The expert draws attention to the forecasts of the President of the National Bank of Poland. They show that the inflation rate will drop to 2-3%. However, the chief economic advisor of PwC in Poland believes that inflation will amount to 9-10% in the autumn. But this does not necessarily mean any improvement in people’s feelings about it.
Is the worst yet to come?
“Inflation has created a significant financial hole among Poles, which will be felt even in the future. We are talking here, for example, about people who are in arrears with payments for an apartment or a house. The arrears will increase because there are also ongoing fees. Personally, I predict that if double-digit inflation stays with us until the end of the year and then we repeat the survey, the results will deteriorate again. In December this year, even up to approx. 60-70% of respondents may claim that they experience deterioration of their mental health. Moreover, the slowing inflation itself does not guarantee that the issue will disappear, because the problem has been accumulating for a long time”, argues Michał Pajdak.
As experts from ePsycholodzy.pl explain, Poles usually feel that inflation is much higher than officially reported by Statistics Poland (GUS). And this type of thinking makes their condition even worse. This is a direct path to various types of disorders and diseases, including those most dangerous to life and health, as well as further losses for the economy. “The so-called decreasing inflation, often communicated by politicians, does not mean a decline in the prices of goods and services but only a slower growth rate. But I suspect that many consumers do not understand it this way, which later manifests itself in shock or even frustration at the shop checkout or shelf”, says Pajdak.
Moreover, Poles have been experiencing inflation first-hand for a long time, not only understood as an increase in prices but also its direct effects, e.g. layoffs, work restrictions or lack of prospects. This affects the deterioration of mental health. “What deserves special attention is the so-called Generation Z. The group of these young Poles reports e.g. the highest burnout rates. People entering the labour market with such problems are often ineffective. And if they do not undergo therapy, this condition will last for years. This is an extremely dangerous trend for employers”, warns the expert.
However, according to experts, all this should not surprise anyone. “The last period is actually the epicentre of rampant inflation and emotions are gathering in Poles. The worst thing is that this build-up will not be easy to get rid of.The problem has spread and we will have to bear the consequences. And falling inflation does not necessarily have to improve the mental condition of Poles”, summarises Michał Pajdak from ePsycholodzy.pl.
The medical subscription and insurance market generates revenues worth PLN 6.9 billion and will grow by 15-20% annually until 2026, according to the report “Health insurance market in Poland: a chance for double-digit growth” prepared by PwC Polska. The share of insurance companies in this market will increase from 13% to 20-25% and the main growth factors include an increase in service prices and a growing customer base.
PwC: The medical subscription and insurance market will grow by 15-20% annually
“Expenses on private healthcare will increase by more than 10-15% annually over the next 4 years due to insufficient public funding and the fact that lower quality of public services is driven by private expenses on healthcare in Poland. The expansion of private clinic networks led to a rapid increase in “indirect” expenses, i.e. mainly products of subscription companies and, to a lesser extent, medical insurance. Even if a small part of the population has access to medical subscriptions and private health insurance, patients still spend over PLN 20 billion annually on private care paid per service”, said Arkadiusz Kramza, Partner of PwC Polska, quoted in the release.
The private medicine market will grow thanks to three fundamental factors. Prices of services will increase by 11-13% due to the fact that medical inflation is high and easily transferred to customers. Due to high demand and limited supply of specialists, “medical” inflation will be around 5% above average inflation. The customer base will increase by 5-7%, while the increase in the number of customers in 2016-2020 was nearly 10%. At the same time, we can expect new products to generate new revenue streams on the market, adding an additional 1-3% growth. Market players are investing heavily in expanding their offer in the field of hospital insurance, complementary insurance and the financing of medicines.
“About 70% of companies do not purchase healthcare for their employees. Lack of interest of employees is due to the fact that they will have to finance or co-finance it themselves. Currently 47% of surveyed companies do not participate in the costs of health services and for 19% of respondents, these programmes are co-financed – employers pay about half the price. In terms of the form of service (medical subscription vs. health insurance), there is no strong preference – the type of product is not very important for companies. They simply want good care for their employees”, added Michał Dubno, Director of PwC Polska.
The lack of staff requires investment in IT solutions that improve the efficiency of their work. Support in making appointments with doctors can be achieved through the integration of facilities cooperating with insurers, extensive information about doctors, their specialisations, experience and specificity of the procedures performed as well as the ability to assess the quality of the doctor’s work – rankings, etc. Thanks to patient coordination models, we will reduce unnecessary appointments – the patient will go straight away to the appropriate medical specialist (including a nurse, physiotherapist, internist, specialist doctor), he/she will come for such an appointment with the tests performed, and the so-called symptom checker will allow them to assess the symptoms of the disease and decide on further steps.
Accident insurance for a child may not be enough. Especially if it is bought at school at the turn of August and September. And rightly so. A supplement worth considering is a private health insurance policy. More and more parents, out of concern for the safety of their children, are choosing private health insurance for children. The premium allows them to protect the youngest ones from the moment of their birth.
The school accident insurance policy is most often a guarantee of payment of benefits for an accident such as a broken arm, contusion or other physical injury. In case of illness, parents must rely on the National Health Fund (NFZ). However, using the public health service can be very time-consuming in terms of access to specialist doctors, examinations, vaccinations and home visits. Health insurance is a very useful and valued product. Both adults and children will benefit from it. And the advantages of having insurance can be multiplied, so it is worth providing such a benefit to yourself and your family. Small patients, who are susceptible to various diseases and injuries from a young age and need medical care, will particularly benefit from health insurance.
When will a child need health insurance?
Undoubtedly, private insurance for children in Poland is gaining popularity year by year. Although free medical care is available in our country, access to many specialists usually requires waiting for months, which unfortunately affects especially the youngest patients. By choosing a private policy for a child, we can make an appointment with a doctor of a given specialisation within a few days, not months – without a referral, stress and queues. During the preschool and school years, children’s immune system is still developing. Hence the high morbidity, frequent viral infections and infectious diseases. Therefore, diseases such as smallpox, mumps, tonsillitis, bronchitis and angina should be expected. Children also develop more serious or chronic conditions – such as asthma or allergies.
Health insurance for a child provides extensive protection – we can count on a very efficient treatment process for a child after an accident resulting in bodily injury. Importantly, the policy is valid throughout the year. Private health insurance for a child is a quick help for the youngest ones and an excellent alternative to long queues for NFZ benefits. Paying only a few dozen zlotys a month, we can provide children with the protection they deserve (the cheapest health insurance packages cost less than PLN 50). An advantage of a private policy is also the high quality of medical services – the facilities are usually well-equipped and modernly furnished, which translates into greater comfort for small patients.
