Hospital debt: It hasn’t been this bad in 15 years

Ten post jest także dostępny w języku: polski

At the end of 2018, total liabilities of independent public health care institutions (SP ZOZ) reached a record level since 2003. According to the data provided by the Ministry of Health, these commitments amounted to as much as PLN 12.8 billion, according to preliminary data. This is an increase of over 1 billion compared to the end of 2017. It is worth noting, however, that the Ministry of Health provided the data in mid-March, while the deadline for sending them expired only at the end of the month. According to Dziennik Gazeta Prawna, these liabilities may currently amount to PLN 13.7 billion, and may eventually come even closer to the PLN 14 billion limit. It concerns liabilities whose payment term has expired and which have not been time-barred or redeemed (e.g. unpaid invoices).

According to preliminary MZ data, their amount amounted to PLN 1.6 billion at the end of 2018. (finally, it may amount to approximately PLN 1.8 billion). Although they increased by several hundred million PLN in comparison with the end of 2017, they are lower than a few years ago. At the end of 2013, the liabilities due exceeded PLN 2 billion. The data of the Ministry of Health cover both hospitals, clinics and outpatient clinics. However, the vast majority of debts are generated by hospitals. In the case of payable liabilities, 80% of their value comes from only 4% of hospitals. The difficult financial situation of public hospitals is confirmed by a study conducted by PMR at the end of 2018. As many as 60% of respondents from such institutions said that the financial situation of the hospital is worse than last year.

At the same time, it was the worst assessment of the financial situation in recent years.More information in the PMR report: The market of public and non-public hospitals in Poland 2019. Investment plans and comparative analysis of voivodships.