Is Medical Insurance Coverage Still Valid When the Health Insurance Card Expires During Hospitalization?

In Clause 9, Article 27 of Decree 146/2018/ND-CP guiding the Law on Health Insurance, there is a provision on the use of health insurance cards in the case of hospitalization when the health insurance card expires:

- In the case of an individual with a health insurance card who is receiving inpatient treatment at a medical examination and treatment facility, but the health insurance card has expired, the health insurance fund will cover the medical examination and treatment costs within the entitled scope and benefit level until discharge but for a maximum of no more than 15 days from the date the health insurance card expires.

- The medical examination and treatment facility is responsible for informing the patient and the social insurance agency where the health insurance contract is signed with the medical examination and treatment facility so that the patient can continue to participate in health insurance. The social insurance agency will carry out the issuance or extension of the health insurance card for the patient during the treatment period at the medical examination and treatment facility.

=> Thus, in the case where an individual with a health insurance card is hospitalized and the health insurance card expires, the health insurance fund will still cover the costs within the entitled scope and benefit level but no more than 15 days from the expiring date of the health insurance card. The editorial board responds to the information.