Free teleportation of a family doctor at the National Health Fund. Check how it works

The change from a traditional NHF clinic to a telemedicine facility is becoming more and more popular. This is primarily related to the patient’s comfort, who can contact their family doctor at any time. However, this is not the only advantage of this type of solution. Why is it worth changing a traditional NHF clinic to a telemedicine facility? We check how it can be done and how many times a year it can be changed.

Why is it worth changing the traditional NHF clinic to telemedicine?

The ability to diagnose patients remotely is one of the most important services that has become widely used during the COVID-19 pandemic. For this reason, more and more people decide to change the standard primary care clinic to a telemedicine facility.

1. Why is telemedicine gaining popularity?

Thanks to this solution, the patient has access to a free consultation with a doctor who can see him / her in a relatively short time and diagnose the underlying medical problem. Changing a traditional health care clinic to a telemedicine facility is also associated with saving time. The patient avoids queues, and most e-visits take place on the same day or on a designated date.

Rafał Piszczek, CEO of Medlife SA (haloDoctor.pl)

Telemedicine is not just an alternative to a traditional visit during a pandemic. It has become its complement and an integral part of the patient-doctor relationship. Medical advice on simple health problems, e-Prescriptions, e-Waivers or e-Referrals can be obtained via e-visit. Free online access to a primary health care physician is a great opportunity to show our society what the highest-quality telemedicine service looks like and what all NHF clinics should strive for. An online visit under the National Health Fund is an opportunity for every Pole to quickly and safely contact a family doctor. No commuting, no queues. This initiative is an important step in the digitization of the Polish healthcare system.

Our research shows that more than half of personal visits to a medical facility are unnecessary because they concern administrative matters. Such an appointment can be replaced by simple and convenient communication with the doctor via chat or video. At the same time, we save the doctor’s time and allow him to take care of the patient who actually needs a personal visit. In my opinion, in the next 5 years, the patient crossing the threshold of the office will receive an initial diagnosis made by artificial intelligence based on the history of his disease and test results. However, the doctor will remain the decision-maker.

In addition, during the consultation with the doctor, the patient can receive an e-prescription, e-referral or e-release. In addition, telemedicine facilities are open seven days a week, so it is possible to arrange an e-visit at any time.

How can you change a traditional NHF clinic to telemedicine?

In order to change the traditional NHF clinic to a telemedicine facility, and at the same time to use free services of family doctors, you must complete the form and the declaration of choosing a primary health care physician, nurse and midwife.

The patient’s data is transferred to a selected health care facility that has a contract with the National Health Fund. Then the system will generate a declaration for the patient. After filling it in, you can immediately make an e-appointment with your family doctor.

Go to the form, thanks to which you can easily change your health care clinic, which will allow you to conveniently use teleconsultation with your family doctor.

What does the form for changing the traditional NHF clinic to telemedicine look like?

To change a traditional NHF clinic to a telemedicine facility, you will need patient data, which should be entered in the form available on the website. To fill it in, the patient’s first and last name, contact telephone number and e-mail address are required. In addition, you must agree to accept the terms of the regulations, which is also available on the website of the telemedicine facility.

How many times a year can the NHF clinic be changed?

Each insured patient has the right to change the primary care doctor, nurse and midwife twice a year without paying an additional fee. The convenience for patients is the fact that you do not have to do it directly in a selected facility. In the case of a telemedicine clinic, you can change your primary care physician in a few minutes without leaving your home.

1. Check it out: We debunk the most common myths about telemedicine

How can you contact a doctor as part of teleportation?

Although there are three forms of contact with a specialist – video chat, chat and audio connection – during the consultation with the family doctor, the patient is immediately redirected to a chat.

The family doctor decides about video chat or audio connection. If we have disturbing symptoms visible on the body (itching, rash, redness), we can send photos and other files (e.g. results of recent tests) using a dedicated application.

1. How to prepare for a telemedicine visit?

The content of the medTvoiLokony website is intended to improve, not replace, the contact between the Website User and their doctor. The website is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Before following the specialist knowledge, in particular medical advice, contained on our Website, you must consult a doctor. The Administrator does not bear any consequences resulting from the use of information contained on the Website.Do you need a medical consultation or an e-prescription? Go to halodoctor.pl, where you will get online help – quickly, safely and without leaving your home.