Poland to remove age limit for insulin pump refunds

Poland is set to significantly expand access to insulin pump therapy for diabetes patients by removing the current age restriction. The Ministry of Health has initiated consultations on a regulation that would allow individuals over 26 with type 1 or type 3 diabetes to receive refunded insulin pumps.

Currently, the refund is limited to patients under 26 years old, with specific medical criteria for qualification. The proposed changes aim to align treatment access with medical recommendations, as experts argue the age limit lacks a medical basis. The goal is to ensure equitable access to therapy and reduce the incidence of diabetes-related complications.

If implemented, the new policy, expected to take effect on January 1, 2027, would require patients to meet at least one of several criteria, including continuing therapy with a personal insulin pump, experiencing recurrent severe hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia, or having unstable blood glucose levels and existing chronic diabetes complications. The National Health Fund (NFZ) anticipates the measure will cost between approximately 43.4 million and 60.2 million Polish zloty annually over the first four years. This expansion is projected to benefit between 3,000 and 4,000 patients each year.

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Dotychczas granica wieku dla pacjentów korzystających ze świadczenia – Leczenie insuliną zastosowaniem pompy insulinowej wynosiła 26 lat. Jednocześnie eksperci kliniczni wskazują na zasadność modyfikacji warunków realizacji przedmiotowego świadczenia gwarantowanego wskazując, że obecne kryterium wieku nie ma uzasadnienia medycznego. Zniesienie ograniczenia wiekowego może ich zdaniem zapewnić zrównanie dostępu do terapii i ograniczyć powikłania cukrzycowe.