Highlight of Documents from December 04 - 09, 2017

1. Increase in Prices of Various Medical Techniques and Surgeries

On November 16, 2017, the Ministry of Health issued Circular 44/2017/TT-BYT amending Circular 02/2017/TT-BYT on the maximum price framework for medical examination and treatment services not covered by the Health Insurance Fund at state healthcare facilities.

The maximum prices for certain technical services specified in Annex III attached to Circular 02/2017/TT-BYT have been adjusted as follows:

- Treatment of atopic dermatitis by machine: From VND 700,000 to VND 1,082,000;- Tendon transfer surgery for eyelid ptosis treatment: From VND 960,000 to VND 2,041,000;- Nasal bridge collapse treatment surgery: From VND 200,000 to VND 1,401,000;- Under-nail tumor treatment surgery: From VND 180,000 to VND 696,000.

Conversely, prices for some technical and surgical services have been reduced:

- Endotracheal intubation: From VND 1,113,000 to VND 555,000;- Colposcopy: From VND 6,180,000 to VND 58,900;- Amniocentesis: From VND 1,260,000 to VND 45,900.

Circular 44/2017/TT-BYT is effective from January 1, 2018, and the adjusted prices mentioned above are applicable from June 1, 2017.

1. No Disciplinary Action After Statute of Limitations for Communist Party Members

This notable change is stipulated in Regulation 102-QD/TW on disciplinary actions against Communist Party members, issued by the Central Committee on November 15, 2017.

The Central Committee introduced new regulations on the statute of limitations for disciplining Communist Party members (not previously regulated). Specifically:- 5 years for violations warranting reprimand;- 10 years for violations warranting warning or dismissal.

Therefore, once the statute of limitations for disciplining Communist Party members as mentioned above expires, the violator will not be disciplined.

If a new violation occurs within the statute of limitations, the statute of limitations for the previous violation will be recalculated from the time the new violation occurs.

Note: The statute of limitations for disciplining Communist Party members is not applied to violations subject to expulsion; political internal security breaches; national defense, foreign affairs violations affecting national interests; and illegal use of diplomas, certificates, and certifications.

Regulation 102-QD/TW is effective from the date of signing.

1. New Points in Corporate Audit Procedures from 2018

The State Auditor General issued Decision 10/2017/QD-KTNN on Corporate Audit Procedures, replacing Decision 04/2012/QD-KTNN dated April 6, 2012.

Drafting the Audit Report is one of the new points in the Audit Report preparation and issuance process, which the current regulation does not address.

Thus, before issuing the official Audit Report, the audit team must prepare a Draft Audit Report and undergo the approval phases of:- The Chief Auditor; and- The Auditor General.

After approval, the finalized Draft Audit Report must be sent to the audited unit for comments as per the provisions of the State Audit Law.

Upon receiving the feedback from the audited unit, the Chief Auditor directs the team leader to propose handling suggestions for the Auditor General to consider and decide.

Decision 10/2017/QD-KTNN is effective from January 5, 2018.

1. 04 Benefits for Regular Health Check-ups for Organ Donors:

On October 5, 2017, the Ministry of Finance issued Circular 104/2017/TT-BTC regulating the management and use of funds to implement policies for organ and body donors.

Organ donors who are still alive are entitled to regular health check-ups as follows:- Exempted from periodic health check-up fees according to the medical guidelines provided by the Minister of Health;- Supported with accommodation costs if unable to travel back and forth within a day due to distance from the medical facility: VND 450,000/day/person, up to 2 days;- Supported with meal expenses during the actual days of periodic health check-ups: VND 200,000/day, up to 3 days/periodic check-up;- Supported with travel expenses from home to the medical facility for periodic check-ups and back at public transportation rates.

Circular 104/2017/TT-BTC is effective from November 20, 2017.

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