Proposing that students be allowed to choose the appropriate form of health insurance payment

This proposal was made in the context of the increase in the basic salary, which has affected the health insurance premiums of health insurance participants in general, including students. The current lack of flexibility in choosing the form of health insurance participation leads to the premiums of this group being higher than the premiums if they participate as a household member.

Hesitate when paying health insurance for children

Vu Thi Hoa and her husband (in Thanh Long commune, Thach Thanh district, Thanh Hoa province) have three children, the eldest of whom is in college, the second in middle school and the youngest in elementary school. The family has little land so their main income comes from both husband and wife working as hired laborers every day. The beginning of the new school year is the time when the couple worries the most.

“My husband and I work for hire and do not dare to take a day off because we have to worry about paying tuition for our three children who are all studying. In the 2024-2025 school year, just paying for health insurance for the children will cost more than 2.6 million VND.

Meanwhile, if the children pay health insurance under the family package, it will be reduced by more than 700 thousand VND. My eldest child is studying at university in the city, he said he will not pay health insurance for himself anymore but save it for his two younger siblings. We feel sorry for him, but we don't know what to do because this year is really difficult," Ms. Hoa confided.

The family of Ms. Le Thi Gam (in Thanh Tho commune, Thach Thanh district, Thanh Hoa province) also had a hard time paying for the tuition fees at the beginning of the year for her two daughters who are in first grade. “Previously, when the two children were under 6 years old, they were eligible for state support. This year, the two children are no longer eligible for support.

I had to pay more than 1.7 million VND for health insurance for 2 children. There are 6 people in my family, including my husband's parents, my husband and I, and 2 children. If the children also paid with the family, it would only cost less than 1 million VND for both of them. This crop, I only harvested more than 1 ton of rice, and sold more than 200 kg to have enough money for the children's health insurance," said Ms. Gam.

In fact, when participating in family health insurance for large families, the next person will be able to buy at a lower price than the previous person. However, family members who are students are not allowed to buy health insurance in this form.

The contribution of the group of students after receiving 30% support from the state will be equal to the contribution of the second member of the household but higher than the contribution of the third member and above. For families with average income like Ms. Hoa and Ms. Gam, this difference is also significant for them.

Social Insurance officers of Thach Thanh district (Thanh Hoa) promote to students the benefits of participating in health insurance.

In the 2023-2024 school year, the entire Thach Thanh district has 28,713 students participating in health insurance, reaching 99.3%. According to Mr. Vu Duc Vinh, Head of the Department of Education and Training of Thach Thanh district, in the 2024-2025 school year, the health insurance contribution level for students will increase compared to the previous school year due to the increase in basic salary, affecting the ability to participate of many students in the area.

Therefore, while waiting for the government to adjust its policies more flexibly, the District Department of Education and Training has issued documents directing, guiding, and implementing student health insurance for all levels and schools in the area.

“Schools coordinate well with medical facilities to improve the quality of technical services, promptly and fully resolve health insurance benefits for students when going for medical examination and treatment. In addition, the school also mobilizes organizations, individuals, and philanthropists to donate health insurance cards to students in difficult circumstances. We also try to support, so that no student due to circumstances cannot participate in health insurance,” said Mr. Vinh.

Proposal to increase the contribution support level from 30% to 50%

According to statistics from the Ministry of Education and Training, as of August 2024, the country has more than 20 million students from primary school and above. From July 1, 2024, the health insurance premium for this group will increase from VND 680,400 to VND 884,520. This is the premium after receiving 30% support from the state.

Responding to the opinion of voters in Binh Dinh province who suggested allowing people to choose a suitable payment method to reduce costs, Minister of Health Dao Hong Lan said that it is not possible to adjust for students to participate in family health insurance.

The Law on Health Insurance stipulates that in case a person simultaneously belongs to many different health insurance participants as prescribed in Article 12 of this Law, he/she shall pay according to the first subject in which he/she is identified in order.

“According to this regulation, the content of the voters' proposal to adjust the group of students to participate in family health insurance is currently not feasible because students are the group of subjects supported by the state budget for the contribution level (in order of the first subjects identified),” said Minister Dao Hong Lan.

However, the Ministry of Health has noted the proposal of some localities to increase the support level from 30% to 50% for students, because this is a dependent group.

“Currently, many localities have proactively used local budgets to support the contribution level up to 50% or more. In the process of drafting the Law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on Health Insurance, the Ministry proposed that the state budget will support 100% of the health insurance contribution level for ethnic minorities in near-poor households.

If the amended law is passed, ethnic minority students from near-poor households will be entitled to full support for health insurance costs. The Ministry is also proposing that students can choose to participate in health insurance at school or as a family to receive a discount with a lower fee paid at school,” the Minister of Health added.

Source: https://phunuvietnam.vn/de-xuat-hoc-sinh-sinh-vien-duoc-lua-chon-hinh-thuc-dong-bao-hiem-y-te-phu-hop-20241021164558295.htm