End of referrals for free tests. April 30 liquidation

• Only until April 30, patients can benefit from a referral for free tests under the Prevention 40 Plus program financed by the National Health Fund
• On May 1, a new project will be launched: "My health". It is to cost around PLN 336.5 million in 2025, and PLN 434.5 million in the following year.
• It is aimed at patients aged 20 and over and will cover heart disease, cancer, mental health, addictions, lifestyle and vaccinations.

The Government Legislation Centre (RCL) has recently published the comments submitted during public consultations and arrangements on the draft regulation of the Ministry of Health on guaranteed benefits in the scope of primary health care, which introduces a new health balance.

On April 30, the pilot program "Profilaktyka 40 Plus" will end, which has been extended many times. The new review "Moje zdrowie" is to come into effect on May 1. It is addressed to patients from the age of 20 and will cover heart disease, cancer, mental health, addictions, lifestyle and vaccinations.

• First, the doctor, nurse or preventive care professional will conduct a survey with the patient.
• It will also be possible to complete it yourself via the Patient's Online Account (IKP).
• In principle, this is an in-depth interview about lifestyle, risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, oncological diseases, taking into account family history, mental health. It will also include an environmental interview.
• The survey will also be an opportunity to verify whether recommended vaccinations have been performed.
• Once approved, this questionnaire will be the basis for generating a research order.

These will be basic diagnostic tests:

• blood count,
• blood glucose levels,
• blood creatinine level, along with estimated eGFR value (a parameter related to the kidneys),
• lipid profile including total cholesterol, LDL, HDL and triglycerides, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH - detects thyroid dysfunction).

Extended diagnostic tests will be ordered depending on age and survey results. These may include:

• alanine aminotransferase (ALAT), aspartate aminotransferase (ASPAT), gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGTP) - these are liver tests,
• Total PSA (an indicator of prostate enlargement) in men,
• anti-HCV (hepatitis C virus),
• lipoprotein A - performed as part of a lifetime assessment between the ages of 20 and 40 (assessment of the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases).

A follow-up visit will take place at the doctor's or nurse's office within 14 days of the patient reporting their laboratory test results.

• The patient will have their blood pressure, heart rate, weight, height, waist circumference, hip circumference measured and their BMI (weight to height) and WHR (waist to hip circumference) calculated.
• People aged 60 and over had their cognitive functions checked (using the mini-COG scale, which allows for making a decision to deepen the diagnostics towards dementia).
• During the summary visit, your "global cardiovascular risk" will be assessed.
• The patient will receive an analysis of laboratory test results and survey results, as well as an Individual Health Plan (IHP). It will include: information on risk factors that were identified during the assessment, general recommendations for a healthy lifestyle, diet and physical activity, and preventive tests.
• The patient will also receive an individual calendar of recommended vaccinations and a list of recommended health interventions, e.g. educational advice.

Depending on your needs, educational advice will be provided by a doctor, nurse, midwife, preventive care specialist, or dietitian.

People aged 20 to 49 will be able to undergo tests under the new "My Health" balance no more often than once every 5 years , and people over 49 years of age no more often than every 3 years.

It will be possible to take a health assessment after at least 12 months have passed since the last examination under the "Prophylaxis 40 Plus" programme (ends on 30 April) and since the last examination performed as part of the prevention of circulatory system diseases (CVD).

"Moje zdrowie" is to cost around PLN 336.5 million in 2025, and PLN 434.5 million in the following year. In response to the comments of the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Health informed that these costs were not taken into account when developing the NFZ financial plan for 2025.

The Ministry of Health noted that it had agreed with the National Health Fund that, in order to secure the financing of the program, it would be justified to increase the planned costs of services financed from money from the increase in subsidies for 2025, which will remain after paying for services above the limit in 2024. The Ministry of Health noted that it had received assurances from the National Health Fund that the financial consequences in 2026 and subsequent years will be taken into account at the stage of work on the National Health Fund's financial plan for 2026.

The "My Health" Adult Balance aims to improve early detection of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes, kidney diseases, thyroid disorders, selected oncological diseases, selected infectious diseases (HCV - hepatitis C virus), mental and cognitive disorders. The aim is also to increase the percentage of vaccinated people (vaccinations recommended).

People who receive referrals for tests under "Prevention 40 Plus" by April 30 will be able to use them until May 31.

Diseases of the circulatory system, malignant tumors, diseases of the nervous system (including dementia), depression are priority diseases for public health. Diseases of the circulatory system in Poland are the most important cause of mortality - in 2023 they were responsible for almost 37% of deaths. The second cause of death (in 2023 - 24%) are malignant tumors. In turn, the occurrence of dementia depends on age. In people between 60 and 65 years of age, it affects about 1% of the population, in the group after 85 years of age, about 10-35% of people show signs of dementia.

It is estimated that around 1.2 million people in Poland suffer from depression. National Health Fund data indicate that in 2023, 809 thousand patients with a diagnosis of depression (primary or co-occurring) received services. They were most often provided to people aged 65-74.

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