An Giang voters argue that while individuals with five consecutive years of health insurance participation receive certain stipulated benefits, those who maintain their coverage for longer periods—over five or even ten years—lack adequate incentives and encouragement. They therefore recommend exploring and implementing suitable preferential or incentive policies for individuals who continuously participate in health insurance over extended periods. This initiative aims to motivate citizens and improve public awareness campaigns, ultimately contributing to the national goal of universal health insurance coverage.

Minister of Health Dao Hong Lan acknowledged the proposal to implement additional policies that encourage and incentivize long-term, continuous health insurance participation. This matter will be thoroughly examined as part of ongoing efforts to refine health insurance policies and legislation. Providing further incentives for long-term participants is expected to motivate citizens not only to enroll but also to maintain their coverage over extended periods, thereby strengthening the foundation for achieving universal health insurance.

Responding to the proposal, Minister Lan stated that the health insurance fund currently covers 80% to 100% of medical examination and treatment costs, depending on the beneficiary group and the scope of benefits. Individuals belonging to multiple health insurance groups are eligible for benefits under the group offering the highest coverage.

A mechanism is already in place for one hundred percent coverage when co-payments exceed a set threshold. Specifically, health insurance participants who have maintained continuous coverage for five years and whose annual co-payment for medical examination and treatment costs surpasses six months' basic salary—equivalent to 15.18 million VND—will receive one hundred percent coverage from the health insurance fund for eligible medical expenses for the remainder of that financial year. For example, if an individual in the 80% health insurance benefit group undergoes multiple in-network treatments within a year, and their total co-payment exceeds 15.18 million VND, the health insurance fund will cover one hundred percent of their eligible medical examination and treatment costs from that point until the end of the financial year. This means they will no longer need to co-pay the usual 20%.

For patients requiring high-tech interventions, health insurance now provides a maximum payment of 113.85 million VND for medical equipment per procedure, an increase of over 8.5 million VND. This policy is considered a crucial financial safety net for individuals with severe or chronic illnesses, or those needing costly, long-term treatment.

Patients at Ho Chi Minh City Eye Hospital. Photo: Quynh Tran.

According to a report from Social Security of Viet Nam, by the end of 6/2026, approximately 99.1 million people nationwide—representing 96.91% of the population—were enrolled in health insurance. Viet Nam aims to achieve universal health insurance coverage by 2030.

Le Nga