“The Wrocław branch of the National Health Fund rejected our offer, which we submitted on November 17,” Krzysztof Kiełkowicz told the IstotneInformacje.pl portal. The doctor runs the only cardiology clinic in Bolesławiec County where patients could receive treatment under NFZ insurance. They could—because the clinic did not sign a contract with the Fund. The reason: an error in the bid-submission software, which caused the applications to be completed incorrectly.
“The error described was apparently fixed in subsequent versions of the bid-submission software published after November 18, 2008—which we object to—because it creates unequal opportunities for bidders and deprives our patients [...] of the chance to continue treatment at our Clinic,” the cardiologist wrote in his protest. The document landed on the desks of, among others, President Piotr Roman and County Head Cezary Przybylski.
“I am ready to work,” Kiełkowicz declares. – “We have the equipment, staff and patients registered through July 20. But we cannot see them because we do not have a current contract.” More than 1,000 specialist clinics across the province are in a similar situation. Specialists cannot issue prescriptions or referrals because the NFZ will not pay them for it.
“We are trying to see patients whose lives are at risk. Those who can wait are being given later appointments,” says Nikolai Lambrinow, director of medical services at the county hospital. “Negotiations are expected to continue until the end of January. I think everything will return to normal in February,” he adds.
The NFZ has announced a supplementary tender. At the beginning of this year, another version of the bid-submission software appeared on the Fund’s website. It is not known whether it will be free of errors or when NFZ employees will review the clinics’ applications. “We are trying to call all patients and cancel their scheduled appointments. Unfortunately, we cannot give them a date to which they will be rescheduled,” Kiełkowicz says helplessly.
“I paid contributions all my life, and today I have to arrange everything privately,” complains Mrs. Alicja from Bolesławiec, who wanted to get an appointment at an ophthalmology clinic. “We pay a lot of money and receive few services. I think this needs to change quickly, or we will all be worn out,” echoes Mrs. Marta, a patient at an endocrinology clinic.
Information about specialist clinics that have signed a contract with the NFZ is available at +48717979100 (8:00–16:00). Complaints may be addressed to the DOW NFZ patient rights ombudsman (+48717979148).
(ii report)