The seven most important rules when registering in a medical facility

When registering a visit to a medical facility, the patient has the right to respect the most important rules regarding his privacy. Patient rights are defined primarily in the Act on Patient Rights and the Patient Ombudsman. In case of any doubts, it is worth reading them.

Seven rules for registering in a medical facility – zoning

Questions about are absolutely unacceptable. You cannot be sent back in a situation where you have selected a healthcare provider on the basis of a referral for treatment such as:

1. medical rehabilitation,
2. psychiatric care,
3. hospital treatment,
4. outpatient specialist care (specialist clinics),
5. addiction treatment,
6. long-term care and hospice-palliative care.

Seven rules for registering in a medical facility – sensitive information

The registration officer should not ask you very detailed questions related to the disease, its causes and course. They can only concern the registration area. Therefore, he or she has the right to ask for the patient’s name and surname, PESEL number and home address. Alternatively, he may also ask for the patient’s telephone number to confirm the visit. Remember that apart from the possibility of registering for a doctor’s appointment, you have the right to receive complete information about:

1. the scope of services provided in a specific facility,
2. queue waiting for benefits,
3. times of signing up with doctors,
4. documents necessary for admission to a doctor,
5. addresses of the places where the ordered diagnostic tests are performed,
6. rules for sharing medical records,
7. other relevant information related to the organization of the medical facility.

If e-WUŚ (electronic verification of beneficiaries) has not confirmed that you are covered by health insurance, you must present the appropriate document.

Seven rules for registration in a medical institution – personal registration

Remember that you do not need to register yourself and no one can force you to do so. You can register in person, by phone, letter, electronically (if the facility has the appropriate software) and through a third party. The registration officer is obliged to inform you about the date and time of the visit.

Seven rules for registering in a medical facility – choosing the date

The provider cannot set a specific day or hours appointments to doctors. It is against the law. You have the right to book an appointment on any day of your choice, during the registration’s working hours.

Also read: Internet Patient Account – how to set up and use IKP?

Seven rules for registration in a medical facility – continuity of treatment

The date of the follow-up visit should be determined during the current visit to the doctor. It is the doctor’s responsibility to ensure continuity of treatment, not the registration worker. If you are receiving treatment at a specialist clinic as part of the continuity and follow-up treatment, you cannot be put on the waiting list for health services. You cannot be treated on a par with patients who are waiting for their first medical appointment. Such action is inconsistent with the principles of providing health services.

Also read:

1. How much do we wait in line to see the doctors
2. Patient rights in the hospital

Seven rules for registering in a medical facility – referral to a specialist

At the first visit to a specialist, you are admitted on the basis of a referral. You will be covered by specialist treatment until its completion. You don’t need to update your referral periodically. This applies to all subsequent specialist visits, both in a specific calendar year and beyond. In the absence of a specialist, the registration worker should inform you about how to organize specialist care in a given period. Such information should be available both at the place where the services are provided and at the service provider’s premises.

Find out more about e-referrals and how they work

Seven rules for registering in a medical facility – changing the date of the visit

The service provider should inform you about any change in the date of the benefit. If, on the other hand, it is you who cannot appear on a specific date, you should also notify your healthcare provider, taking into account the welfare of other patients waiting for an appointment.

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