Ministry of Health plans new NFZ-funded diagnostic tests from January, replacing some existing ones

New tests planned for the NFZ benefits list

• The Ministry of Health has drafted a regulation to add three new diagnostic tests to NFZ-funded services.
• Some existing diagnostic tests would be removed from the list of guaranteed services.
• The changes are planned to take effect on 1 January 2027, after formal adoption of the regulation.

The Ministry of Health has prepared a draft regulation that would add three modern diagnostic tests to the services financed by the National Health Fund (NFZ). According to press reports, the tests would be added to the list of guaranteed services in specialist outpatient clinics, so patients could have them done at no cost under the public system (Ministerstwo Zdrowia szykuje duże zmiany. Nowe badania na NFZ – stronazdrowia.pl) (Koniec tych badań na NFZ. "Nie są już rekomendowane" – rynekzdrowia.pl) (Koniec czekania na leczenie. Od 1 stycznia nowe badania na NFZ – portalsamorzadowy.pl).

Some existing tests to be removed

At the same time, the draft would remove several currently listed diagnostic tests. Reports describe the change as replacing part of the existing testing with newer methods. The removed tests are described in press reports as no longer recommended for routine use.

Timing

The changes are planned to take effect on 1 January 2027, after the regulation is formally adopted. Until then, the current list of covered tests remains in force.

What it means for patients

For patients waiting for diagnosis, the revised list would widen access to newer examinations without a fee, while older tests dropped from the list would no longer be funded by the NFZ for routine referrals. A doctor can indicate which alternative is available once the rules change.