The official document states: In response to Official Letter No. 1914/BHXH-CSYT dated June 23, 2023, from the Vietnam Social Security requesting guidance on the application of the basic salary level in the payment of medical examination and treatment costs under health insurance as stipulated in Government Decree No. 24/2023/NĐ-CP, the Ministry of Health provides the following guidance for implementation during the transitional period from July 1, 2023, to December 31, 2023:

Regarding the level of health insurance benefits as stipulated in point d, clause 1, Article 14 of Government Decree No. 146/2018/ND-CP dated October 17, 2018, detailing and guiding the implementation of some articles of the Law on Health Insurance from July 1, 2023, or in cases where the patient is admitted to the hospital or begins treatment before July 1, 2023, but is discharged or finishes treatment on or after July 1, 2023: The cost for one medical examination and treatment is less than 15% of the basic salary, equivalent to less than VND 270,000.

Many policies have been adjusted to improve the quality of medical examination and treatment covered by health insurance. Photo: Vietnamnet.vn

Regarding direct payment as stipulated in Article 30 of Decree No. 146/2018/ND-CP from July 1, 2023, or in cases where the patient was admitted to the hospital or started treatment before July 1, 2023, but was discharged or completed treatment on or after July 1, 2023:

According to point a, clause 1, the maximum amount shall not exceed 0.15 times the basic salary, equivalent to no more than 270,000 VND.

According to point b, clause 1, the maximum amount shall not exceed 0.5 times the basic salary, equivalent to no more than 900,000 VND.

According to Clause 2, the maximum amount shall not exceed 1.0 times the basic salary, equivalent to no more than 1,800,000 VND.

According to Clause 3, the maximum amount shall not exceed 2.5 times the basic salary, equivalent to no more than 4,500,000 VND.

The total payment for medical supplies for a single use of a technical service shall not exceed 45 times the basic salary as stipulated in point b, clause 2, Article 3 of Circular No. 04/2017/TT-BYT dated April 14, 2017, issued by the Ministry of Health, promulgating the list and rates, and conditions for payment of medical supplies within the scope of benefits for health insurance participants.

For patients admitted to the hospital from July 1, 2023, the equivalent amount should not exceed 81 million VND.

In cases where a patient is admitted to the hospital or begins treatment before July 1, 2023, but is discharged or finishes treatment on or after July 1, 2023: The total cost of medical supplies for a single technical service will be determined based on the date the technical service is completed.

Specifically: Before July 1st, the basic salary level stipulated in Government Decree No. 38/2019/ND-CP dated May 9, 2019, which regulates the basic salary for officials, civil servants, public employees, and the armed forces, shall not exceed VND 67,050,000. From July 1st, the basic salary level stipulated in Government Decree No. 24/2023/ND-CP dated May 14, 2023, which regulates the basic salary for officials, civil servants, public employees, and the armed forces, shall not exceed VND 81 million.

From July 1, 2023, and in cases where a patient is admitted to the hospital or begins treatment before July 1 but is discharged or finishes treatment on or after July 1, 2023, the amount of co-payment for medical examination and treatment costs covered by health insurance in the year exceeds 6 months of the basic salary to determine the exemption from co-payment as stipulated in point d, clause 1, Article 14 of Decree No. 146/2018/ND-CP. This amount is determined as follows: 6 months - total co-payment amount from January 1, 2023 to before July 1, 2023 divided by VND 1,490,000 multiplied by VND 1,800,000.

NGOC ANH