Patients value their privacy

According to Signal Iduna's estimates, 20 percent of Polish patients decide not to go to the doctor because the queues are too long and the majority of people are far from satisfied with the quality of the national health service.

However, private-insurance packages offered by companies such as Allianz, PZU or Inter, do not cover hospital treatment. Patients have to cover all medical expenses themselves, before being reimbussed.

Last week Signal Iduna announced that it would introduce a new comprehensive health insurance that will include the cost of ambulance services and hospital treatment. By the end of the year it hopes to sign contracts with about 40 public and private companies that offer healthcare services.

The insurance company will run the project in cooperation with Lux Med, a network of private clinics.