The consensus was reached on December 30, 2025 at a conference on coordination in implementing the health insurance policy and addressing outstanding difficulties.

An overview of the conference.

The event was co-chaired by Deputy Minister of Finance Le Tan Can and Standing Deputy Minister of Health Vu Manh Ha.

It was reported that the coordination among the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Health and Vietnam Social Security (VSS) has been carried out in a synchronous and effective manner, particularly in advising on the development and improvement of the legal and policy framework on health insurance.

A number of important documents have been issued, laying a solid foundation for universal health insurance, notably the Politburo’s Resolution No. 72-NQ/TW, the Government’s Action Programme under Resolution No. 282/NQ-CP and the Secretariat’s Directive No. 52-CT/TW.

VSS has actively coordinated with relevant agencies in drafting and providing feedback on various legal documents in health and insurance, including decrees and circulars on health insurance-covered medical examination and treatment as well as laws such as the Law on Bidding, the Law on Disease Prevention, the revised Law on Population, and guiding decrees on the implementation of the Law on Health Insurance and financial management mechanisms for social, health and unemployment insurance.

By the end of 2025, an estimated 97.57 million people nationwide have been covered by health insurance, accounting for about 95.16 per cent of the population, an increase of more than two million compared to the previous year.

Deputy Minister of Finance Le Tan Can delivers a speech at the conference.

In 2025, VSS signed health insurance medical service contracts with more than 12,300 healthcare facilities nationwide.

The total number of health insurance-covered medical visits was estimated at 195.5 million, a significant increase compared to 2024.

Total requested payments from the health insurance fund were estimated at VNĐ166.447 trillion (about US$6.8 billion), with expenditures mainly concentrated on medicines, hospital beds and medical supplies.

VSS Director General Le Hung Son said the Law on Health Insurance has been implemented in the right direction, as reflected in expanded coverage and ensured access to medical services for the public.

He stressed the need to further refine policies to ensure long-term balance of the health insurance fund, especially as average treatment costs tend to rise.

Regarding unpaid health insurance medical expenses, Son noted that VSS has always coordinated with healthcare facilities to maximise beneficiaries’ rights under the law, ensuring timely and full payments without delay.

Outstanding payments stem from institutional and regulatory obstacles. VSS has reported and sought guidance from the Ministry of Health to ensure compliance with regulations and protect patients’ interests, he said.

Standing Deputy Minister of Health Vu Manh Ha speaks at the conference.

VSS also called on healthcare facilities to strictly comply with regulations on the use of the health insurance fund, improve the quality of documentation and closely coordinate in assessment work to ensure effective, transparent and sustainable fund utilisation.

The conference also pointed out shortcomings in mechanisms, policies and management, particularly risks of health insurance fraud and rising medical costs in some localities.

These challenges require timely solutions to ensure the fund is used for its intended purpose and serves people in the most efficient manner.

In concluding remarks, Deputy Minister of Finance Le Tan Can called for stronger coordination to resolve bottlenecks and ensure the management and payment of medical costs in line with the law.

Sharing the same view, Standing Deputy Minister of Health Vu Manh Ha requested specialised units to comprehensively review remaining difficulties and proactively propose solutions for the two ministries to jointly address or report to the Government for consideration./.