The New Regulation on Health Insurance Contributions for Students Takes Effect Tomorrow

The Decree No. 188/2025/ND-CP, detailing and guiding the implementation of several articles of the Law on Health Insurance, will take effect from August 15, 2025. The decree stipulates the health insurance contribution rates for students.

According to the decree, the state will provide a minimum subsidy of 50% of the health insurance contribution for the groups specified in points b, c, d, e, and h of Clause 4, Article 12 of the Law on Health Insurance. The groups eligible for state subsidies on health insurance contributions include:

– Members of near-poor households

– Students

– Individuals participating in security and order protection forces at the grassroots level

– Members of agricultural, forestry, fishery, and salt-making households with a medium living standard as prescribed by law

– Village health workers and traditional birth attendants

– Non-professional staff in villages and residential areas as prescribed by law

– Ethnic minorities living in communes that are no longer classified as having difficult or particularly difficult socio-economic conditions will receive health insurance support as prescribed by the Government

– People awarded the titles of People’s Artisan and Meritorious Artisan according to the Law on Cultural Heritage

– Victims as defined by the Law on Prevention and Control of Human Trafficking

As mentioned above, students, one of the most vulnerable groups when facing health issues, will receive a minimum of 50% state subsidy for their health insurance contributions.

Compared to the previous support level of 30%, this new policy significantly reduces the financial burden on families and students, especially in rural and mountainous areas with challenging economic conditions.

Details of the Health Insurance Contribution Rates for Students

According to Clause 5, Article 6 of Decree 188/2025, the monthly health insurance contribution rate for students is 4.5% of the base salary.

Health Insurance Payment Methods for Students from August 15th

For students as specified in point b, Clause 4, Article 12 of the Law on Health Insurance:

Every 3, 6, or 12 months, students or their parents or guardians are responsible for paying the health insurance contribution under their responsibility as prescribed in Clause 2, Article 8 of this Decree to the social insurance agency.

For students studying at educational or vocational training institutions directly under the management of central ministries or agencies, the central budget will provide support. Every 3, 6, or 12 months, the provincial/municipal Social Insurance agency will summarize the number of issued health insurance cards, the amount collected from students, and the amount of state budget support according to Form No. 1 in the Appendix to this Decree. They will then send this information to Vietnam Social Security for summarization and submission to the Ministry of Finance for budget allocation to the health insurance fund.

For students studying at other educational or vocational training institutions, the local budget, including the central budget support (if any), where the educational institution is headquartered, will provide support, regardless of the student’s place of permanent residence.

Every 3, 6, or 12 months, the social insurance agency will summarize the number of issued health insurance cards, the amount collected from students, and the amount of state budget support according to Form No. 1 in the Appendix to this Decree. They will then send this information to the Department of Finance for budget allocation to the health insurance fund as prescribed in Clause 10 of this Article.