Ensure sufficient medicines and medical supplies for patients with HI

To address the lack of medicines and medical supplies, VSS has timely consulted and collaborated with the Ministry of Health submitting resolutions to the Government to ensure the provision of HI medicines and medical expenses. VSS also issued many documents to guiding and directing local social security agencies understand their responsibilities, collaborate with the health sector to timely resolve existing difficulties.

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Notably, VSS has directed provincial social security agencies to submit suitable resolutions to their respective Provincial People's Committee proposing extension of lists of medicines eligible for centralized bidding at the local level that aims to alleviate difficulties for healthcare facilities. Currently, numerous provinces and cities have resorted to various bidding methods to procure additional medicine, effectively reducing medicine shortages, and safeguarding the healthcare entitlements for HI patients.

VSS also sent delegations to work with 63 provincial social security offices to tackle existing issues in medical examination and treatment for HI participants. These initiatives have basically resolved various challenges in healthcare provision and medical examination payment for HI beneficiaries under the jurisdiction of VSS. This has resulted in enhanced efficiency for the medical examination process and HI entitlements for participants in accordance with the current law.

The benefits of HI are frequently expanded

According to World Health Organization (WHO), Viet Nam stands out among very few nations in the world and within ASEAN region for its comprehensive, extensive and inclusive HI drugs list in relation to HI premiums.

The HI drugs list in Viet Nam comprises of 1,037 active ingredients, pharmaceutical chemicals, biological products, 59 radioactive drugs and tracers, 229 Oriental medicine ingredients, medicinal herbs, and 349 traditional medicine ingredients. The list is fully covered at general medical facilities, specialized medical facilities, all hospital levels and specialties. The choice of HI medicines at healthcare facilities are without any restrictions on the price, origin, or type of medicine.

In addition, the quality of HI services has become better and better for HI beneficiaries. The medical examination and treatment procedures covered by HI have been streamlined, simplified, and time-saving for the participants.

With a HI coverage rate of 92,4% during the first nine months of 2023, recent statistics indicate that approximately 60-70% of HI beneficiaries utilize HI cards for their medical needs. Furthermore, the frequency of individuals undergo medical examinations is ranging from 2 to 2.1 times per year. Consequently, there has been a notable rise in the number of individuals benefiting from HI policies. By the end of September, the entire nation witnessed a total of 127,475,188 HI medical visits, reflecting a substantial increase of 19.8% compared to the corresponding period in 2022. Furthermore, the HI fund reimbursed an amount exceeding 88.3 trillion VND, signifying a significant growth of 15,9% in comparison to the same period in 2022.