Are students in Vietnam eligible for health insurance? What documents are required when going for a medical examination in Vietnam?

What documents are required when students go for a medical examination in Vietnam?

Currently, there are no specific regulations on what documents students need when visiting the doctor. This is an issue that adheres to the regulations of the healthcare facility that the student will visit.

Since it is not specifically mentioned which grade level the student is in, whether it is the first visit or a follow-up, and whether it’s a consultation by request or through health insurance.

Therefore, when visiting the doctor, students can usually refer to some of the following documents to bring along:

[1] Medical record, appointment card for follow-up as scheduled by the doctor (if any)

[2] Identification card, national ID (can use the Online ID on the VNEID application applicable when the student is of age to have the National ID and can go to the doctor without a parent), 3x4 card photo, student card.

[3] Student health insurance card

[4] Referral document (for cases being referred from a lower-level hospital for patients with health insurance who want to be transferred)

[5] Appointment card for follow-up as scheduled by the doctor (if any), imaging diagnostics, test results from previous visits, treatment instructions, current medication prescriptions (if any).

*Note: if the student is in elementary school and cannot go alone, a parent should accompany them for convenience in medical examinations. You can refer to the required documents when visiting the hospital for guidance.

Information is for reference only./.

Are students in Vietnam eligible for health insurance? What documents are required when going for a medical examination in Vietnam?​ (Image from the Internet)

Are students in Vietnam eligible for health insurance? 

Based on Article 12 of the 2008 Law on Health Insurance (amended by Clause 6, Article 1 of the 2014 Amended Law on Health Insurance), the participants in health insurance are regulated as follows:

Participants in health insurance

...

4. Groups supported by the state budget for premiums, including:

a) People from near-poor households;

b) Students.

5. Families participating in health insurance consist of family household members, excluding individuals specified in Clauses 1, 2, 3, and 4 of this Article.

6. The Government of Vietnam regulates other participants besides those specified in Clauses 3, 4, and 5 of this Article; provides the issuance of health insurance cards for individuals managed by the Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Public Security, and those specified in Point 1 of Clause 3 of this Article; regulates the roadmap for implementing health insurance, the range of benefits, levels of health insurance, medical examinations, and treatment under health insurance, management, use of funds dedicated to health insurance care, appraisal of health insurance, payment, and settlement of health insurance for individuals specified in Point a, Clause 3 of this Article.

Thus, according to the above regulations, students belong to the group required to participate in health insurance. Also, students receive state budget support for health insurance premiums.

How much is the student health insurance premium in 2024 in Vietnam?

According to the regulations in Article 7 of the Decree 146/2018/ND-CP:

Premium levels and responsibilities for health insurance contributions

1. Monthly health insurance contributions for participants are regulated as follows:

a) 4.5% of the monthly salary of employees for those specified in Clause 1, Article 1 of this Decree.

- Employees on sick leave for more than 14 days in the month according to social insurance legislation are not required to pay health insurance but still enjoy health insurance benefits;

- Employees in temporary detention, custody, or suspension of work for investigation, examination, or conclusion of law violations must pay 4.5% of 50% of their monthly salary. If cleared of legal violations by competent authorities, employees must pay health insurance retroactively for the received back pay;

b) 4.5% of the pension or loss of working capacity allowance for those specified in Clause 1, Article 2 of this Decree;

c) 4.5% of the monthly salary before maternity leave for those specified in Clause 5, Article 2 of this Decree;

d) 4.5% of the unemployment allowance for those specified in Clause 6, Article 2 of this Decree;

dd) 4.5% of the statutory pay rate for other participants;

...

According to the regulations, the health insurance premium for students will be 4.5% of the statutory pay rate.

The current statutory pay rate, according to Clause 2, Article 3 of Decree 73/2024/ND-CP, is VND 2,340,000 per month.

Thus, the student health insurance premium in 2024 = 4.5% of VND 2,340,000 per month = VND 105,300 per month (of which the state supports 30%, and the remaining amount is self-paid by the student).

*Note: Students participating in health insurance for 6 or 12 months will multiply the stated rate by the respective period.