The number of persons covered by private health insurance is constantly rising and amounted to 4.8 million at the end of 2023, i.e. almost 14% more than the year before. In 2023, Poles spent more than PLN 1.7 billion on these insurance policies, which is 33.1% more than in 2022.
Private health insurance after Q4 2023:
- 4.806 million – number of private health insurance users in Poland
- PLN 1,706.4 million – gross premium written in health insurance
– The increasing number of insured persons shows that private insurance works. Although their price in the last year reflects high inflation in the medical sector, the sale of policies remains high – says Dorota M. Fal, adviser to the Management Board of the Polish Chamber of Insurance.
Most policies with a wide range of cover
Poles are willing to buy policies with a wide range of cover – in 2023, they spent the vast majority of funds for private health insurance.
– These are the policies that offer extensive outpatient care and diagnostic tests and examinations, prevention or access to hospital treatment and one-day hospital procedures. There are also products on the market that are characterised by a narrow range of benefits. For example, they offer specific tests, examinations, selected experts or a high level of the patient’s co-payment. Health insurance is often paid by employers as an additional bonus for employees – adds the expert from PIU.
Private insurance as a remedy for an ailing society
According to the data from the Central Statistical Office (GUS), in 2022 the average life expectancy for a 60-year-old man was 18.7 years, while for a woman of the same age – 23.6 years. In both cases, an upward trend can be observed. However, the life expectancy of Poles in good health is important. In 2022, it was 60.1 years for men and 63.7 years for women. Poles are therefore confronted with different ailments on average over the last several years of their lives.
– Although we are encouraged to work longer, and thus seek better pensions, only people who are in good health can continue their work – adds the expert from PIU.
Diseases also affect the younger population – those professionally active. In Q4 2023, diseases and disabilities were the second most common cause of professional inactivity for people of working age (18–59/64 years of age). They referred to almost a quarter of this group (24.6%).
PIU emphasises that the inclusion of private insurance in the healthcare system is a step towards improving the health of the society, including the efficiency of companies and the economy as a whole.
– Health policies, which are most frequently chosen by employers, are designed to take care of employees’ health and thus to reduce as effectively as possible sickness absences at work and inefficiencies of people who come to work despite being ill. Insurance helps maintain the population in good health. Thanks to it, many people can react faster when the first symptoms of a disease appear. Insurance also strengthens health education and prevention – concludes Dorota M. Fal. – Therefore, the Polish Chamber of Insurance constantly demands that private policies become one of the pillars of the healthcare system in Poland.
