X-ray imaging takes 6 minutes before payment is processed: What does the Social Insurance agency say?

(Dan Tri Newspaper) - The regulation setting a 6-minute time limit for X-rays is causing much controversy, with some medical facilities fearing rejection of health insurance claims, while the insurance agency asserts that this is only a professional reference point.

The 6-minute time marker is for professional reference only.

As reported by Dan Tri newspaper , at the conference on the implementation of medical examination and treatment work in 2026, organized by the Department of Medical Examination and Treatment Management ( Ministry of Health ) on February 2nd in Ho Chi Minh City, a hospital representative raised concerns about the regulations regarding the time allotted for imaging procedures to meet the requirements for health insurance reimbursement.

Specifically, according to current regulations of the Ministry of Health (Decision 2775/QD-BYT), each X-ray must last at least 6 minutes, and a cardiac ultrasound must last at least 30 minutes to be covered by health insurance; otherwise, it will not be reimbursed.

A notice from a medical facility regarding the regulation that X-ray imaging must last a full 6 minutes (Photo: Doctor).

Regarding this issue, the Vietnam Social Security has provided some information to clarify the legal basis and principles for conducting assessment and payment in health insurance-covered medical examinations and treatments according to current regulations.

Specifically, regarding regulations on the time frame for performing diagnostic imaging procedures, Decision No. 2775/QD-BYT and Decision No. 2776/QD-BYT dated August 29, 2025, issued by the Ministry of Health, provide guidance on technical procedures in the field of diagnostic imaging and interventional radiology.

The regulations stipulate that the time for performing the procedure is based on its common occurrence and routine practices at medical examination and treatment facilities.

According to these guidelines, the time taken for a diagnostic imaging procedure is calculated from the start of the procedure to the completion of the diagnosis, including the following steps: patient preparation time, imaging time, film interpretation, and diagnostic conclusion. For example, the reference time for:

- Routine X-ray of bones and joints or chest and abdominal X-ray: approximately 6-12 minutes.

- X-ray of the stomach and colon: approximately 20-30 minutes.

- Abdominal and thyroid ultrasound: approximately 6-15 minutes.

"The timelines outlined in the guidelines are for professional reference purposes, serving the organization of implementation and the development of economic and technical standards."

"In practice, based on clinical developments, the patient's condition, and the actual conditions of the medical facility, the time for performing the procedure may be adjusted upwards or downwards according to the guidelines of the Ministry of Health," Vietnam Social Security stated.

Misunderstanding the nature of the instructions?

The Social Insurance agency conducts the assessment and payment of costs for medical technical services based on records, professional procedures, and actual implementation at medical examination and treatment facilities, ensuring compliance with legal regulations.

The Vietnam Social Security does not issue any additional regulations beyond existing legal documents, nor does it require medical examination and treatment facilities to formally extend the time for performing procedures.

Interpreting or applying the regulation as requiring doctors and technicians to "wait a sufficient amount of time" before proceeding with the next procedure is inconsistent with the nature of professional guidelines and may affect waiting times and the rights of patients covered by health insurance.

To ensure uniformity in understanding and implementation, Vietnam Social Security recommends that the Ministry of Health continue to review and refine technical and professional guidelines, ensuring they are consistent with practical implementation and the development of medical science and technology, while also creating favorable conditions for medical examination and treatment facilities during implementation, thereby ensuring the full rights of health insurance participants.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/suc-khoe/chup-x-quang-du-6-phut-moi-thanh-toan-bhxh-noi-gi-20260204152629734.htm