Free Poland Health Care - Paying minimal to no Zus

Gosc, in fact pvt heLth care is not that expensive, I think I pay around 5300 pln for medicover and Damien and they have pretty good hospitals and services. I had no choice cuz of tax laws as I don't pay zus cuz in my line of work reach out tax plan is better because I hardly have any expenses to claim.they only cover medicines when hospitalized but they are affordable out of hospital

@itsy: I pay 780/year with Luxmed and I'm very satisfied with their services, although sometimes delays in obtening appointments with specialists. I was with Damian for years so I know then and I continue consulting some doctors there while paying. However, in case of some thing major, best are public hospitals. I am not talking about flu or a twisted ankle. I had thyroid (micro) cancer and was treated at the time at Damian but was directed to Centrum Onkologii by Damian's doctors because CO is best hospital for cancer in whole Poland. I could have operation and everything for free because I am covered by NFZ. Although at the time I had some sort of insurance with Damian, it would have cost me more than 10,000 ;). This summer, as per Polish protocole, I am to undergo a control, shall be hospitalized for 5 days, and shall receive treatment costing min. 8,500 ZL (2 injections of Thyrogen, costing 6,500zl). No private insurance provides such services.

I don't use NFZ for ambulatory services but in case of a hospitalisation for disease or operation, I have to use NFZ and believe me, I don't mind paying their tax as I get more than my money's Worth.

It is easy to think NFZ is not necessary when healthy but when something serious happens, we quickly understand benefits from NFZ ;)

Maybe you are right,I should ask around so I have been ripped by medicover & damien?780 pln compared to 5300 pln a year is a lot.Thx for the info though.

@Itsy: At Luxmed, they currently have 3 programs. I have the middle one and I believe their top program is something like 1,400/year. You can check on their site (they also have English version).

With my program, I pay an additional15 ZL fee every time I consult (all doctors and exams, blood tests are free).

At Luxmed, sometimes there are delays of up to several weeks for specialists but considering that they have clinics all over Warsaw (I don't know elsewhere in Poland), it is not difficult to see a doctor.

I have chosen Luxmed because they have no health questionnaire, whereas Medicover, Damian and most others do and with a recent history of major disease/operation it is difficult to find an insurance program and when we do, a program that is not too expensive.

I am very satisfied with them.

PS: I don't work for Luxmed ;)

PPS: it's even less than 780/year since I pay 380 twice a year.

PS: I don't work for Luxmed ;)
LOL funny but thx for the clarification (didnt need to though)
I dont have co pay but I did get checked for my eye problem in states which medicover covered and paid almost 6500$ there for a specialist in my area.as my insurance there dont cover eyes and dental.

But thx for the info will work on it from monday.

@Itsy: I had a quick look at their site and it seems that they now only offer their Magnolia coverage now. I have checked their prices taking the most expensive situation. It is either 185 or 355 ZL per month (most expensive age group 61-65) depending upon the coverage. If you are younger, obviously it'll be cheaper. I suppose that the 355 ZL/month program covers everything (have not checked). Nevertheless it is cheaper than Medicover or Damian. 2 years ago, Medicover offered me program for 450/month because of my operation less than 5 years old at the time...

PS: Itsy: unfortunately dental bills are not covered; all insurance program may offer is 10% off ;) so best to be rich in Poland to have good teeth.

lol so far I do just pay around 100Zees every cpl of years or so for cleaning so far:) until I get beaten up and break my teeth:D

But still dental care is cheaper than in states,my wife gets her teeth taken care of here also.

@Isy: it sure is cheaper than in the US but considering Polish incomes, prices are very high. I normally pay min. 180 ZL to have teeth cleaned and last time (2 weeks ago) it was 190zl. Teeth cleaning is ok but when I say it is expensive, I am talking about real dental work that may cost several thousands of ZL and when we have no money, what are we supposed to do? That is the problem...

It is either 185 or 355 ZL per month (most expensive age group 61-65) depending upon the coverage. If you are younger, obviously it'll be cheaper. I suppose that the 355 ZL/month program covers everything (have not checked). Nevertheless it is cheaper than Medicover or Damian. 2 years ago, Medicover offered me program for 450/month because of my operation less than 5 years old at the time...

450 zees a month is almost I pay and I am pushing 54.Another lady poster here also sent me a message before explaining me about the pre existing conditions with medicover and I remember she also moved to luxmed as far as I remember.even 1200 zees a year makes a lot of difference.Ill check into it seriously as I think medicover is ripping me.

Sure, if you can save 1 or 2,000 ZL, it makes a huge difference ;).

I also know of Signal Iduna (German company) which is very cheap (and good) but they only have a handful clinics in Warsaw (and probably 2 dozens in whole Poland).

Luxmed is more complete than Signal Iduna and has a lot of clinics everywhere.

If you mean to leave Damian (or Medicover), do read your contract as they have a notice period.

When joining Luxmed, the coverage starts as soon as first payment is received.

.... they MAY have a notice period

Really signal iduna is a insurance? I knew a german guy I met 3/4 yrs back ill have to look for his visitufka and maybe call him jutro.

And the contract is in Polish,even so ill get out from them anyway,thanks again man appreciate it:)

Yes, for 2 years, between Damian and Luxmed, I was inusured with Signal Iduna. Because of my medical profile back then I had to have an insurance not asking for health questionnaire, and Signal Iduna (they do have health questionnaires) had offered me their Polmed program, which was very good and cheap (60zl/month) but unfortunately said Polmed program stopped and therefore I had to look for some other company and found Luxmed very suitable.

Signal Iduna has 3 or 4 clinics in Warsaw, I went at the time to their Polmed clinic at Rondo ONZ but now it is closed.

As far as I remember, cheap, good, pleasant and competent doctors, good and clean facilities....

I just found his visitufka he was head of marketing if he is still in Poland will try.I just basically need major medical incase i get my ribs broken or nose smashed maybe heart attack or blood presure by staying on PF lol

@Itsy: so call him! I think if we combine (what I do) private health insurance for ambulatory treatments and NFZ for operations and more general hospitalizations, we can manage without spending fortunes in Poland. I know several people who spend over 10,000 to have (not so big) operations at Damian but personally I cannot. I was operated on at Centrum Onkologii (best place for cancer in Poland) by Damian doctors ;) and I paid 0.00 zl. All doctors at State hospitals work in private clinics ;).

Interesting stuff.
Keep healthcare money away from public scum until they finally restructure it - if ever.

It's a pity that Poles don't riot : this ZUS shocking inequality may only affect small business, and not the masses who work for a salary - including my learners' wife - who, you guessed it, is a manager in ZUS in Gdansk................

Whereas in the UK there is (and I have repeated this many times on this forum) ONE. yes ONE ZUS office.

Got that Poland? FFS - dumbass.

But there are plenty of ZUS owned hotels and holiday homes. Why doesn't Poland out them by going on the streets like we did with the unfair polltax in Britain? Poland = clueless and soft in the head.