E-referral to a spa. What does the online process look like?

E-referral to a spa allows for the electronic registration of a patient for spa treatment funded by the National Health Fund (NFZ), and research confirms that digital handling of referrals shortens procedure times, reduces the number of formal errors, and increases the availability of spa rehabilitation.

• E-referral reaches the NFZ immediately after it is issued by the doctor.
• The status of the referral can be tracked in the Patient’s Internet Account.
• The NFZ branch analyzes medical indications and assigns a place in the spa.
• It may be necessary to supplement the documentation, e.g., test results or hospital discharge summary.
• The date is determined by available places and waiting time.

See also: How to obtain a referral for an X-ray… and why?

How does e-referral to a spa work?

E-referral to a spa is an electronic document sent by the doctor issuing the e-referral to the e-health system, from which the data goes directly to the NFZ. Studies on digital handling of referrals show that the system automates the process, shortening the administrative path and reducing the number of rejections due to illegible or incomplete documents.

The doctor enters the patient’s medical data, indications for spa treatment, and diagnosis. The document appears in the patient’s account in the Patient’s Internet Account (IKP) along with the e-referral number enabling later identification.

The e-health system also allows for monitoring the status of the referral and possible supplementation of documentation if the NFZ branch requests it. This way, the patient does not have to deliver documents in person.

Who can issue an e-referral and what are the stages of its assessment?

An e-referral can be issued by a doctor issuing the e-referral who has the authority to refer for spa treatment. Most often, these are primary care physicians, specialists, and NFZ doctors associated with fields such as balneology or medical rehabilitation. Clinical studies indicate that the assessment of indications by specialist doctors improves the accuracy of referrals for spa therapy.

After the document is issued, it goes to the NFZ branch, where an NFZ doctor assesses the validity of the referral, contraindications, and completeness of data. They may request additional documentation, e.g., test results, hospital discharge summary, or hospital treatment card.

The analysis includes an assessment of health status, comorbidities, and therapeutic prognosis, according to the medical criteria applicable in spa treatment.

How to check the status of an e-referral in the Patient’s Internet Account?

The status of the referral can be checked in the Patient’s Internet Account (IKP) , where all stages of its implementation are visible — from the registration of the document to the assignment of a place in the spa. Research confirms that electronic monitoring reduces the risk of loss of documentation and allows patients to respond promptly to any requests from the NFZ.

Access to the IKP can be obtained through the mojeIKP app or a web browser. The patient has access to:

• the e-referral number,
• the verification status by the NFZ,
• information about the location and date of stay,
• recommendations regarding supplementary documents.

The system also allows for printing information if the patient does not have access to the Internet.

How long does one wait for a place in a spa?

The waiting time depends on the number of patients referred in a given year, available places in spa facilities, and the type of condition. Studies on the burden of rehabilitation systems show that this time can vary and depends on the region and availability of infrastructure.

The NFZ branch assigns a date according to medical criteria and the order of referrals. E-referral significantly streamlines the qualification process as it eliminates delays associated with sending paper documents.

The patient receives information about the date via the IKP or traditionally if they do not use digital communication.

Factors affecting waiting time:

• number of available places in the sanatorium,
• type of medical indications,
• need to supplement documentation,
• burden of the specific NFZ department.

Is e-referral different from paper referral?

E-referral is the default form of referral for spa treatment, while paper referral is used only in exceptional situations, such as lack of internet access. Studies show that electronic referrals minimize the number of substantive errors and shorten communication time between facilities.

Paper documents are also used when the referral concerns a procedure performed abroad; however, in standard spa treatment, only e-referral is used.

Q&A

Who issues e-referral to the sanatorium?
A doctor with the appropriate qualifications, including a primary care physician or NFZ specialist.

Where to check the status of e-referral?
In the Internet Patient Account or the mojeIKP app.

How long do you wait for a trip to the sanatorium?
It depends on the availability of places and the NFZ assessment — the time is variable.

Do you need to provide paper documents?
No, unless the NFZ requests to supplement results or discharge summaries.

Does e-referral also work in KRUS sanatoriums?
Yes, depending on the rules of the given institution.

Sources

1. WHO. Digitalization of Medical Referral Systems.
2. OECD. Spa and Rehabilitation Care – Access and System Efficiency.
3. Journal of Medical Systems – Electronic Referral Management.
4. NFZ – Principles of Referral for Spa Treatment (electronic studies).