How will the universal hospital exemption policy be implemented?

Policy free of charge Basic health care for all people is attracting great public attention after Resolution No. 72 of the Politburo was issued. This is a policy that is considered to be deeply humane, contributing to realizing the goal of "leaving no one behind" in health care.

Minister of Health Dao Hong Lan said that from 2026, people will be able to regular health check-up, or free screening at least once a year, and an electronic health record to track health status throughout the lifespan - from in the womb to old age.

From now until 2030, Vietnam will gradually implement a policy of free basic medical fees for people within the scope of health insurance benefits. The State and the Health Insurance Fund will pay for essential medical services, helping to reduce the financial burden when people unfortunately fall ill.

The policy will be implemented according to a roadmap and still be based on the pillar foundation of Health insurance. Services outside the basic list, services on demand or with costs exceeding the ceiling will continue to apply the co-payment mechanism to raise awareness of saving and rational use of health resources.

People go for medical check-ups at a medical facility in Hanoi. (Photo: Nhu Loan)

The Ministry of Health is developing an implementation plan, with priority given to vulnerable groups, the poor, low-income people and other groups in need of protection. To ensure effectiveness and fairness, the free hospitalisation policy will be closely linked to universal health insurance coverage, aiming for over 95% of the population to participate in health insurance by 2026 and 100% by 2030.

From 2027, health insurance premiums may be adjusted according to the law to match the expanded scope of benefits, while the Health Insurance Fund will increase payments for disease prevention, early diagnosis and treatment, especially for chronic diseases and priority groups.

Previously, General Secretary To Lam signed and issued Resolution No. 72 of the Politburo on a number of breakthrough solutions to strengthen the protection, care and improvement of people's health.

Resolution No. 72 also aims to comprehensively improve people's physical and mental health and life expectancy. The average height of children aged 1-18 will increase by at least 1.5 cm; the average life expectancy of people will reach 75.5 years by 2030, of which the number of healthy years will reach at least 68 years.

Other health indicators also improved, such as the rate of vaccination reached over 95%, the rate of people regularly exercising increased by 10%, strictly controlled risk factors such as alcohol, tobacco and environmental pollution.

Along with financial policies, the grassroots health system will also receive strong investment. By 2027, 100% of commune health stations will be completed in terms of facilities, equipment and human resources, striving for each station to have at least 4-5 doctors. The rate of health insurance examination and treatment at the commune level is targeted to reach over 20%.

With a vision to 2045, the Politburo sets the goal that Vietnam's healthcare system must be modern, equitable, and sustainable, with people having an average life expectancy of over 80 years old, living a healthy life of at least 71 years, and the stature and physical strength of young people on par with developed countries in the region.

Source: https://baolangson.vn/chinh-sach-mien-vien-phi-toan-dan-se-trien-khai-the-nao-5059068.html