The Number of People Covered by Private Health Insurance Continuously Rises, Reaching 4.8 Million by the End of 2023, Nearly 14% More Than the Previous Year.
In 2023, Poles allocated over 1.7 billion PLN to these insurances, marking a 33.1% increase from 2022.
Private Health Insurance After the Fourth Quarter of 2023:
– 4.806 million – the number of people using private health insurance in Poland
– 1,706.4 million PLN – gross written premium in health insurance
– The growing number of insured individuals shows that private insurances are effective. Although their cost last year reflects high inflation in the medical sector, the sales of policies remain at a high level, says Dorota M. Fal, an advisor to the board of the Polish Chamber of Insurance (PIU).
Most Policies Offer a Wide Range of Coverage
Poles are eager to buy policies with extensive coverage – in 2023, they spent the majority of the funds allocated for private health insurance on these.
– These policies offer comprehensive outpatient care and diagnostic tests, prevention, and access to hospital treatment and day procedures. There are also products on the market that offer a narrow range of services, for example, specific tests or selected specialists, or a high level of patient co-payment. Health insurances are often paid for by employers as an additional bonus for employees, adds the PIU expert.
Private Insurance: A Remedy for a Sick Society
According to the Central Statistical Office (GUS) data in 2022, the average remaining life expectancy for a 60-year-old man was 18.7 years, and for a woman of the same age – 23.6 years[1]. In both cases, an upward trend is noticeable. However, the length of life Poles live in good health is crucial. In 2022, it was 60.1 years for men and 63.7 years for women[2]. Poles, therefore, struggle with various ailments for several of their last years of life.
– Although we are encouraged to work longer to secure better pensions, only those in good health can continue working, adds the PIU expert.
Diseases also affect the younger, working-age population. In the fourth quarter of 2023, diseases and disabilities were the second most common cause of labor inactivity among people of working age (18-59/64 years), affecting nearly a quarter of this group (24.6%)[3].
PIU emphasizes that incorporating private insurance into the healthcare system is a step towards improving the health of society and, in turn, the more efficient functioning of companies and the entire economy.
– *Health policies, most often chosen by employers, are designed to care for the health of the employee, thus effectively reducing sickness absences at work and the inefficiency of those who come to work despite illness. Insurances facilitate maintaining a population in good health condition. Thanks to them, many people can react faster when the first symptoms of illness appear. Insurance also strengthens health education and prevention,* concludes **Dorota M. Fal**. – *That’s why the Polish Chamber of Insurance continuously advocates for private policies to become one of the pillars of the healthcare system in Poland.*
[1] GUS, Life expectancy in 2022: https://stat.gov.pl/obszary-tematyczne/ludnosc/trwanie-zycia/trwanie-zycia-w-2022-roku,2,17.html
[2] GUS, Healthy life expectancy in 2022: https://stat.gov.pl/obszary-tematyczne/ludnosc/trwanie-zycia/trwanie-zycia-w-zdrowiu-w-2022-r-,5,3.html
[3] GUS, Employed, unemployed, and economically inactive (preliminary results of the Labour Force Survey): https://stat.gov.pl/files/gfx/portalinformacyjny/pl/defaultaktualnosci/5475/12/59/1/pracujacy_bezrobotni_i_bierni_zawodowo_wyniki_wstepne_bael_-_4_kwartal_2023_roku.pdf
