In the first half of 2019 Poles spent more than PLN 430 million on private health insurance. This is 12% more than last year. At the end of June, private health insurance was used by more than 2.7 million people, i.e. 20% more than in the preceding year.
Poles see healthcare as a priority; therefore, they are more willing to take out insurance. In addition, private healthcare services (purchased outside regular insurance) are becoming more expensive. According to data provided by the Central Statistical Office, prices of medical services in July 2019 were higher by 5.6% compared to the previous year, and waiting lines for different specialists are becoming longer.
“Furthermore, the number of users of group insurance is growing. Employers want to provide their employees with more access to medical services. This is due to medical issues on the one hand and the competition for workers on the other. According to the report “Additional benefits in the eyes of employees in 2019”, compiled by Sedlak&Sedlak, an extra package of medical services was the most popular additional benefit desired by employees”, explains Dorota M. Fal, an adviser to the Management Board of the Polish Chamber of Insurance.
The growing popularity of health insurance is also a response to the fear of illness. This is the risk which the residents of all OECD countries fear the most. In the ‘Risks That Matter’ study conducted in 21 OECD countries in 2018, as many as 54% of residents highlighted the risk of illness or disability.
