The Ministry of Justice has recently released an assessment report on the draft Resolution of the National Assembly regarding mechanisms and policies to enhance public health protection, care, and improvement. This draft was spearheaded by the Ministry of Health.
In the proposed Resolution, the Ministry of Health suggests increasing the health insurance (HI) benefits from 95% to 100% for individuals aged 75 and above who receive social pension benefits and those from near-poor households, starting from 2027. This proposal aligns with Article 12, Clause 4, Point a of the 2024 Health Insurance Law.
Currently, individuals receiving social pension benefits are entitled to 80% coverage of medical examination and treatment costs under HI.
The Ministry of Health emphasizes that the current HI benefits are outlined in Article 22 of the 2024 Health Insurance Law. Therefore, a National Assembly resolution is necessary to implement these changes. Initially, the adjustments will apply to specific groups, with a phased rollout for others as per government regulations.
Under existing regulations, near-poor households receive state-funded HI contributions and are entitled to 95% coverage of medical examination and treatment costs.
Individuals aged 75 and above receiving social pension benefits, or those aged 70 and above from poor or near-poor households, have their HI contributions covered by the state, effectively receiving free HI cards.
According to the 2024 Social Insurance Law, as of July 1, individuals receiving social pension benefits are entitled to 80% coverage of medical examination and treatment costs.
Prior to July 1, individuals aged 80 and above receiving monthly social allowances (now replaced by social pension benefits) enjoyed 100% coverage of medical examination and treatment costs. This disparity has created inconsistencies.
The Ministry of Health’s proposal aims to address these issues, ensuring effective implementation of Resolution 72-NQ/TW issued by the Politburo. This resolution focuses on breakthrough solutions to enhance public health protection, care, and improvement.
Additionally, the Ministry of Health proposes that the government pilot diverse HI packages and supplementary HI options based on public demand. From 2026 onwards, regular health check-ups and screenings for eligible individuals, as stipulated by law, are to be continued.
The state budget, through the HI fund, will cover the costs of at least one free annual health check-up or screening for individuals not currently covered by legal provisions for regular health check-ups.
