Vietnam: Determination of number of times, prices and payment for medical services

According to Circular No. 15/2018/TT-BYT of the Ministry of Health of Vietnam, if a patient undergoes medical examination in examination department then is transferred to inpatient department for treatment as required by professionals, such examination can be counted. If a patient is not subject to medical examination in examination department but in clinical department as required by professionals, such examination will not be counted.

Moreover, for medical facilities providing specialist examination service in clinical departments, examination conducted in examination department and specialist examinations in clinical department will be counted as examination in medical examination department. A number of times for medical examination will be counted and the price for such examination service will be determined in accordance with regulations.

For once time examination in a single medical facility (such examination can be finished in one day or last for 2 days due to subjective reasons or professional requirements), if the patient is required to undergo more than one specialist examination, the price for the second examination onwards shall be equal to 30% of the price for one-time examination and the maximum price for such -medical examination shall not exceed 2 times the price for one-time examination.

In particular, patients that show abnormal signs after undergoing examination and taking medicines by medical facility require re-examination in the same day in such medical facility; such examination shall be counted as the second examination in a day.

For patients undergoing examination in regional polyclinics then being transferred to hospitals or medical centers of district level for another medical examination, such examination shall be counted as a new examination.

Also according to Circular No. 15/2018/TT-BYT, medical facilities are required to arrange medical examination tables and allocate staff as required to ensure the examination quality.

- For examination tables of more than 65 examinations per day, the social insurance agency shall only pay 50% of the examination price from the 66th examination.

- If there are still 65 examinations conducted in one medical examination table in a quarter, the insurance agency shall not pay the price for the 66th examination and onward.

View more details at Circular No. 15/2018/TT-BYT of the Ministry of Health of Vietnam, effective from July 15, 2018.

-Thao Uyen-

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