Announcement – report on the determination of tariffs for hospital treatment services covering the treatment of spinal disorders

Pursuant to Article 31lb(3)(4) of the Act of August 27, 2004, on healthcare services financed from public funds (Journal of Laws of 2024, item 146, as amended), The President of the Agency for Health Technology Assessment and Tariff System hereby announces that a report on the determination of tariffs for hospital treatment services has been published in the Agency’s Public Information Bulletin:

Guaranteed services covering the treatment of spinal diseases, including the following JGP groups:

• H51 Comprehensive corrective spine procedures* (5.51.01.0008051)
• H52 Spine procedures with the use of implants* (5.51.01.0008052)
• H53 Spinal procedures without implants* (5.51.01.0008053)
• H55 Arthroscopic and percutaneous procedures on the spine* (5.51.01.0008055)
• H56C Spinal pain syndromes < 4 days (5.51.01.0008057)
• H56D Spinal pain syndromes > 3 days (5.51.01.0008058)
• PZH08 Comprehensive corrective spinal procedures < 18 years of age* (5.51.01.0018055)

and the following JGP groups from the nervous system diseases section, which in the part concerning spinal disorders, except for group A04 Implantation/replacement of a spinal cord stimulator or replacement of a generator for deep brain stimulation*, entirely transferred to a new section related to the treatment of spinal disorders. Group A04 has been divided according to anatomical location.

• A04 Implantation/replacement of spinal cord stimulator or replacement of generator for deep brain stimulation *
• A22 Major procedures on the spinal cord and spinal canal *
• A23 Medium procedures on the spinal cord and spinal canal*
• A24 Minor procedures on the spinal cord and spinal canal*
• A25 Procedures on peripheral nerves *
• A26 Pain control procedures and procedures on the sympathetic nervous system *
• A27 Other procedures on the spinal cord and spinal canal*.

The proposed tariff projects are based on the results of a cost analysis, and their change in relation to the current valuations was calculated on the basis of the average price for a given service, taking into account the applicable average price of the reporting unit of the basic healthcare security system lump sum, amounting to PLN 1.96/point in hospital care and PLN 1.84/point in outpatient specialist care.point in hospital care and the average price of PLN 1.84/point in outpatient specialist care. The analyses indicate that for some of the JGP groups, the current level of reimbursement does not cover the costs incurred. For 10 JGP groups, the draft tariff is higher than the current catalog value, with the difference ranging from 21% to 196%. For 11 JGP groups, the draft tariff is lower than the current catalog value, with the difference ranging from -1% to -52%. In addition, the cost analysis showed an increase of 86% compared to the current valuation for the product to be added, Radiation-sterilized allogeneic bone grafts, and 69% for the separate product, Cross-neuromodulation – stage I – implantation of a test electrode. The draft tariffs for surgical procedures performed as part of outpatient specialist care are higher than the current catalog value by 5% to 453% for 8 procedures, lower by 48% for 1 procedure, and remain at the current level for 1 surgical procedure.

The implementation of the proposed service tariffs will result in a decrease in financial outlays on the part of the National Health Fund (NFZ) of approximately PLN 305 million over 12 months, which corresponds to a 13.5% reduction in expenditure in the area of the analyzed services compared to 2024, assuming the price per point in force from July 1, 2025, and assuming the provision of services at the 2023 level.

The adjustment of the valuation of tariffed services to the actual costs incurred by service providers should translate into increased access to the services in question for service recipients.

Comments on the report on the determination of service tariffs may be submitted within 7 days of its publication, i.e. by July 29, 2025. Comments will be accepted using the form, which should be sent within the specified time limit to the following address: taryfa.uwagi@aotm.gov.pl.

Unless an electronic signature has been used, comments should be submitted electronically and, together with a completed and signed Declaration of Industry Ties, submitted to the headquarters of the Agency for Health Technology Assessment and Tariff System, ul. Przeskok 2, 00-032 Warsaw, or sent by courier or post to the Agency’s registered office.

The form can be downloaded and instructions on how to complete and submit it can be found where the reports are published.

Redirection to the place of publication of the reports

The comments submitted will be forwarded to the Tariff Council and analyzed in consultation with representatives of the community interested in the tariff in question. Subsequently, the Tariff Council will issue a position based on Article 31lb(2) of the Act on Services, and then the President of the Agency will determine the service tariffs in the form of an announcement.