Ensuring the rights of health insurance participants.

The Ministry of Health has responded to a petition from voters in Vinh Long province following the First Session of the 16th National Assembly, concerning the provision of health insurance-covered medicines, expanding the list of medicines, implementing policies on hospital fee exemption, and providing health insurance support for veterans.

Voters in Vinh Long province have reported that when visiting commune health centers for medical examinations and treatment using health insurance, after receiving a diagnosis from the doctor, the amount of medication provided is insufficient. Voters request that more health insurance-covered medication be provided to meet their treatment needs.

The Ministry of Health announced the issuance of Circular No. 37 dated November 16, 2024, stipulating the principles, criteria for building, updating, recording information, structuring the list, and payment guidelines for chemical drugs, biological products, radioactive drugs, and markers covered under health insurance for insured individuals.

Accordingly, health insurance reimbursement for chemical drugs is based on the scope of professional practice, the approved list of technical services, and diagnostic and treatment guidelines.

Currently, the Ministry of Health is reviewing, amending, and supplementing the Circular promulgating the list of chemical drugs covered by the Health Insurance Fund to meet treatment needs and ensure the rights of health insurance participants.

Specifically, it is expected that many new, highly effective drugs will be added; regulations on payment rates will be considered to be in line with patients' ability to pay and the balance of the Health Insurance Fund; and payment will be regulated according to technical expertise level instead of hospital category as in Circular No. 20 dated December 31, 2022.

The revised and supplemented list of medicines covered by health insurance is expected to expand the scope of payment at primary healthcare facilities for 349 drugs, facilitating patients' access to medication right at these facilities.

Regarding the proposal to adjust and expand the drug inventory, add new preparations, especially cancer treatment drugs and some types of drugs that people currently have to refer to higher-level hospitals or buy themselves, the Ministry of Health stated that Vietnam is considered one of the few countries with a relatively complete, comprehensive, and broad drug list compared to the level of health insurance contributions.