Insurance and healthcare policy in Vietnam from June 1, 2017

1. Reduction in Social Insurance Contributions for Enterprises in Vietnam from June 1, 2017

Decree 44/2017/ND-CP of the Government provides for mandatory social insurance (SI) contributions to the Occupational Accident and Disease Insurance Fund.

From June 1, 2017, the contribution rate of employers to the Occupational Accident and Disease Insurance Fund is reduced by half. Specifically:

- Reduced from 1% to 0.5% of the wage fund as the basis for SI contributions for employees, as specified in Points a, b, c, d, dd, and h, Clause 1, Article 2 of the 2014 Social Insurance Law (excluding domestic workers);- Reduced from 1% to 0.5% of the statutory pay rate for employees specified at Point e, Clause 1, Article 2 of the 2014 Social Insurance Law.

The new SI contribution rate for employees working under labor contracts with a duration from a full 1 month to under 3 months will be implemented from January 1, 2018.

2. Announcement of New Medical Service Prices for Individuals without Health Insurance Cards in Vietnam

This content is addressed in Circular 02/2017/TT-BYT, which stipulates the maximum pricing framework for medical examination and treatment services not covered by the Health Insurance Fund (HIF) at state medical examination and treatment facilities and provides guidance on applying the prices and paying medical examination and treatment costs in some cases.

It stipulates the pricing of three groups of services for individuals without health insurance cards, as outlined in the attached Appendices:

- Appendix I: Maximum pricing framework for medical examination and health check services;

- Appendix II: Maximum pricing framework for inpatient bed services;

- Appendix III: Maximum pricing framework for technical service and lab test services.

The maximum price framework includes direct costs and labor costs.

Refer to Circular 02/2017/TT-BYT, which takes effect from June 1, 2017, for detailed prices.

3. Adjustment to the List of Medical Supplies Covered by Health Insurance in Vietnam

The Ministry of Health issued Circular 04/2017/TT-BYT, which specifies the list, rates, and conditions for health insurance payments for medical supplies, replacing Circular 27/2013/TT-BYT.

Additional groups and types of medical supplies are included in the list of supplies covered by health insurance from June 1, 2017, such as:

- Group 3: Syringes, needles, infusion sets, gloves, and medical supplies used in patient care:

- Positioning needles of various types and sizes;

- Ostomy bags;

- Group 4: Catheters, drainage tubes, connecting tubes, connectors, and specialized catheters:

- Peritoneal dialysis sets (cassette) of various types and sizes;

- Minicap closure caps for specialized catheters in peritoneal dialysis of various types and sizes;

- Group 5: Surgical needles, sutures, and scalpels:

- Medium-absorbable sutures of various types and sizes;

- Radiofrequency surgical blades of various types and sizes;

- Group 6: Replacement materials and artificial implants:

- Biological heart valves with stents of various types and sizes;

- Artificial dural patches of various types and sizes.

4. Increase in Unit Prices of Certain Whole Blood Products in Vietnam

According to Circular 05/2017/TT-BYT, the maximum unit prices for certain whole blood products (by volume) are increased as follows:

- Whole blood 250 ml: 641,000 VND (current: 603,000 VND);

- Whole blood 350 ml: 758,000 VND (current: 705,000 VND);

- Whole blood 450 ml: 858,000 VND (current: 790,000 VND).

Additionally, the support costs for blood donors are adjusted:

- Average on-site meal costs reduced from 35,000 VND to 30,000 VND/person/blood donation;- Maximum average travel costs increased from 45,000 VND to 50,000 VND/person/blood donation.

Refer to Circular 05/2017/TT-BYT, effective from June 1, 2017, which replaces Circular 33/2014/TT-BYT, for detailed adjustment contents.

Additionally, several important policies in other fields will also take effect from June 1, 2017, such as:

1. Law on Children 2016;
2. Resolution 353/2017/UBTVQH14 stipulating additional policies and guarantees for the activities of National Assembly deputies issued by the Standing Committee of the National Assembly;
3. Decree 43/2017/ND-CP on goods labeling;
4. Circular 12/2017/TT-BGTVT regulating the training, examination, and issuance of road motor vehicle driving licenses.

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