The National Health Fund (NFZ) in Poland has conducted inspections in various hospitals from 2023 to 2025, focusing on the correct accounting of procedural treatments related to pain management, particularly for spinal issues. The findings suggest that these procedures were often conducted in hospital settings without medical justification, even though they could have been administered in outpatient clinics. This raises concerns about the appropriateness of such hospitalizations solely for financial reasons.

The ongoing NFZ inspections highlight a crucial issue in the healthcare system regarding the misuse of public resources. The inspections revealed that the financial motivation for carrying out minimally invasive procedures in hospitals is leading to significant misuse of public funds allocated for treatment. Institutions that were found to have discrepancies in the execution and billing of pain treatment services will face sanctions as stipulated in the General Conditions for Healthcare Provision Contracts.

This situation emphasizes the need for stricter oversight and accountability in healthcare financial management. As NFZ continues its investigations, there is a pressing call for reforms in how medical procedures are authorized and billed, ensuring that patient care prioritizes medical necessity rather than financial incentives. The implications of these findings could lead to policy changes aimed at safeguarding public healthcare funding in Poland.