What are methods for students in Vietnam to pay health insurance?

Are students in Vietnam required to participate in health insurance?

Pursuant to Article 12 of the 2008 Health Insurance Law (amended by Clause 6, Article 1 of the 2014 Amended Health Insurance Law), the subjects participating in health insurance are regulated as follows:

Subjects Participating in Health Insurance

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4. Group supported by the state budget for contribution, including:

a) Individuals from near-poor households;

b) Students.

5. Group participating in health insurance based on household including those from households, except for those stipulated in Clauses 1, 2, 3, and 4 of this Article.

6. the Government of Vietnam stipulates other subjects apart from the subjects stipulated in Clauses 3, 4 and 5 of this Article; stipulates the issuance of health insurance cards for subjects managed by the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Public Security and the subjects stipulated in Point 1, Clause 3 of this Article; stipulates the roadmap for implementing health insurance, the scope of benefits, the level of health insurance benefits, examinations, treatments covered by health insurance, the management and use of funds allocated for health insurance-covered examinations and treatments, the appraisal of health insurance, the payment and settlement of health insurance for the subjects prescribed in Point a, Clause 3 of this Article.

Therefore, according to the above regulations, students belong to the group required to participate in health insurance. At the same time, students will be supported by the state budget for health insurance contributions.

What are methods for students in Vietnam to pay health insurance?​ (Image from the Internet)

What are methods for students in Vietnam to pay health insurance?

Based on the provisions of Clause 5, Article 9 of Decree 146/2018/ND-CP, the method of paying health insurance for students is regulated as follows:

- Periodically every 3 months, 6 months, or 12 months, students or their parents/guardians are responsible for paying the health insurance portion as stipulated in Clause 2, Article 10 of Decree 146/2018/ND-CP to the social insurance agency.

- The state budget will support as follows:

+ Students studying at educational institutions or vocational training establishments under ministries or central agencies shall be supported by the central budget.

Periodically every 3 months, 6 months, or 12 months, the provincial social insurance agency will compile the number of issued health insurance cards, the amount collected from students, and the amount supported by the state budget based on Form No. 1, Appendix issued with Decree 146/2018/ND-CP, and send the compiled data to Vietnam Social Security to be sent to the Ministry of Finance for transferring funds into the health insurance fund as stipulated in Clause 9, Article 9 of Decree 146/2018/ND-CP.

- Students studying at other educational institutions or vocational training establishments shall be supported by the local budget, which includes support from the central budget (if any), where the educational institution is located, regardless of the student's permanent residence registration.

Periodically every 3 months, 6 months, or 12 months, the social insurance agency will compile the number of issued health insurance cards, the amount collected from students, and the amount supported by the state budget based on Form No. 1, Appendix issued with Decree 146/2018/ND-CP, and send the compiled data to the financial authority for transferring funds into the health insurance fund as stipulated in Clause 9, Article 9 of Decree 146/2018/ND-CP.

What are cases where students in Vietnam are not covered by health insurance?

Pursuant to Article 23 of the 2008 Health Insurance Law (amended by Clause 16, Article 1 of the 2014 Amended Health Insurance Law), the cases where students are not covered by health insurance include:

- Costs in cases stipulated in Clause 1, Article 21 of the 2008 Health Insurance Law have been paid by the state budget.

- Rehabilitation or convalescence at rehabilitation or convalescence facilities.

- Health check-ups.

- Tests and diagnoses of pregnancy not for treatment purposes.

- Utilizing assisted reproductive technology techniques, family planning services, abortion services, except in cases where pregnancy must be terminated due to pathological reasons of the fetus or the pregnant woman.

- Using cosmetic services.

- Treatment of strabismus, nearsightedness, and refractive errors of the eyes.

- Using replacement medical supplies including artificial limbs, artificial eyes, false teeth, glasses, hearing aids, assistive devices for mobility during medical examinations, treatments, and rehabilitation.

- Medical examinations, treatments, and rehabilitation in disaster situations.

- Medical examinations and treatments for drug addiction, alcohol addiction, or other substance addictions.

- Medical assessments, forensic examinations, forensic psychiatric examinations.

- Participation in clinical trials or scientific research.