Circular No. 37/2024/TT-BYT recently issued by the Ministry of Health brings many important improvements to the structure of the drug list, payment regulations and drug management in the health insurance system.
Circular No. 37/2024/TT-BYT recently issued by the Ministry of Health brings many important improvements to the structure of the drug list, payment regulations and drug management in the health insurance system.
The Ministry of Health officially issued Circular No. 37/2024/TT-BYT, stipulating principles, criteria for developing, updating, recording information, structure of the list and instructions for payment of drugs covered by health insurance.
This Circular will take effect from January 1, 2025, replacing Circular No. 20/2022/TT-BYT, to resolve difficulties and update in accordance with practical conditions in medical examination and treatment.
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| The Ministry of Health issued a new Circular on the list and payment of health insurance drugs. |
Medicines are always an important component, accounting for a large proportion of the total cost of medical examination and treatment under health insurance. The development and updating of the list and instructions for payment of medicines are adjusted according to practice to ensure the rights of health insurance participants, improve the efficiency of using fund resources and promote the development of the health system.
Since 2016, the Ministry of Health has repeatedly issued principles and criteria for developing a drug list through internal decisions such as Decision No. 2701/QD-BYT (2016) and Decision No. 5315/QD-BYT (2018).
However, these decisions are only effective for each time the list is built, causing instability in the implementation process. The issuance of Circular 37/2024/TT-BYT helps ensure long-term legality and creates consistency in implementation.
The Circular brings many important improvements to the structure of the list, payment regulations and drug management in the health insurance system.
Specifically, the Circular will amend the structure of the drug list: Eliminate the regulation on classifying hospitals according to the drug usage column. Clearly note the conditions and payment rates for each type of drug, in accordance with the professional requirements and scope of operation of the medical examination and treatment facility.
No division of the list by hospital class: Medical examination and treatment facilities are allowed to use the entire list of drugs according to their professional scope and actual conditions, regardless of hospital class or technical level.
This regulation encourages professional and technical development at grassroots health care, reduces the burden on upper-level hospitals, and ensures fairness in access to drugs.
Flexible in health insurance payment: Drugs that are not indicated or contraindicated: Paid in emergency cases and there is no alternative drug after consultation.
Drug wastage costs: Regulations on payment of actual wastage costs, helping medical facilities minimize financial difficulties.
Radioactive drugs: Guarantee payment for radioactive drugs produced, prepared at the facility and supplied to other units.
Patients with chronic diseases treated at commune health stations will have access to appropriate drugs, while promoting professional capacity building for grassroots health care.
In emergency situations such as natural disasters, wars or catastrophes, the Ministry of Health may issue health insurance payment instructions in accordance with political tasks.
According to the leader of the Health Insurance Department, the application of the new regulations not only helps to supplement the cases covered by the health insurance fund, but also ensures flexibility in implementation guidelines. Health insurance participants will have increased access to drugs, while health insurance facilities will have a clearer financial mechanism to cover drug costs.
The Circular also helps reduce complications in drug management and payment at medical facilities, creating conditions for grassroots healthcare to develop, while improving treatment quality and patient rights.
With these important improvements, Circular 37/2024/TT-BYT promises to be a major step forward in drug management and use in the health insurance system, contributing to promoting the sustainable development of the Vietnamese health sector.
Source: https://baodautu.vn/bo-y-te-ban-hanh-danh-muc-va-thanh-toan-thuoc-bao-hiem-y-te-d230464.html
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