Starting 1/1/2026, Vietnam will implement several new healthcare policies designed to broaden health insurance benefits and enhance the welfare of medical professionals. A key change involves expanding the groups eligible for 100% health insurance (BHYT) coverage, particularly for vulnerable populations.
Under these new regulations, the scope of BHYT benefits will significantly expand, with several groups now receiving full coverage for medical examination and treatment costs. These include health insurance participants from near-poor households and individuals aged 75 and above who receive social pension benefits. Additionally, the benefit rate will increase for those under social welfare policies, vulnerable individuals, low-income earners, and other priority groups.
The Ministry of Health states that this policy aims to alleviate the financial burden of healthcare for citizens, especially given the aging population and rising demand for health services. This expansion of BHYT benefits represents a stride towards universal healthcare coverage, ensuring all individuals can access necessary medical care.
Another significant policy change, effective 1/1/2026, is the reduction in health insurance contributions for students. Government Decree No. 188 mandates that students are part of the compulsory health insurance scheme. While their monthly contribution rate is 4,5% of the reference level (equivalent to the basic salary), the State Budget will subsidize a minimum of 50% of this amount, substantially easing the financial strain.
This means the total annual health insurance contribution for a student is 1.263.600 VND. With the 50% government subsidy, each student will pay a maximum of 631.800 VND per year.
Furthermore, Ho Chi Minh City (TP HCM) will offer free health insurance for students and the elderly starting in late 2025. The city's budget will cover 50% of the contributions for over 2 million students in both public and private general education schools and continuing education centers. This local support, combined with the 50% central government subsidy, ensures students and the elderly in TP HCM receive a full exemption from health insurance contributions.
Significant changes are also coming to the salary and allowance system for medical officers and staff, effective 1/1/2026, as part of a broader salary policy reform. This reform will adjust starting salaries for some specialized medical positions to better reflect the extensive training and unique demands of the profession.
A key update is that medical doctors, traditional medicine doctors, dentists, preventive medicine doctors, and pharmacists will begin at salary grade 2 upon recruitment to their professional titles, a change from the previous starting grade 1. This new regulation will apply until further salary provisions are issued.
Moreover, medical professionals consistently engaged in high-pressure and high-risk specialties, including psychiatry, forensic medicine, forensic psychiatry, emergency resuscitation, and pathological anatomy, will receive a 100% professional preferential allowance.
For medical staff at commune-level health stations and preventive medicine facilities, the professional preferential allowance will be region-dependent. A 100% allowance applies in ethnic minority and mountainous areas, regions with difficult or extremely difficult socio-economic conditions, border areas, and islands. Other areas will receive a minimum professional preferential allowance of 70%.
Management agencies assert that these income improvements for medical staff are designed to counter personnel shortages, especially at the grassroots level. The goal is to motivate doctors and nurses, fostering their long-term commitment to the healthcare sector.
By Le Nga
