A support system to reduce the financial burden on patients.

Health insurance helps people with serious illnesses reduce the financial burden of healthcare.

The city has implemented many practical support policies regarding health insurance, helping people access healthcare services more easily, thereby strengthening social security and spreading humanitarian values.

Practical and humane

For many years, Mr. Pham Song Hien and Mrs. Do Thi Ly, both nearly 90 years old, residing in Tan Hung ward, have been receiving treatment for age-related illnesses. Mrs. Ly has suffered from diabetes for decades, requiring daily medication and regular check-ups. Health insurance covers a large portion of the costs, significantly reducing the family's financial burden. "Thanks to the health insurance card, I can confidently go for check-ups and treatment without worrying too much about the expenses. Elderly people like us really need this policy," Mrs. Ly shared. According to her, many elderly people in the neighborhood are also more proactive in seeking health check-ups thanks to health insurance.

Health insurance plays a pivotal role in the social security system by helping people reduce the financial burden of medical examinations and treatments and access timely healthcare services. This policy ensures risk sharing within the community, which is very meaningful for the poor and vulnerable, thereby contributing to stable living conditions, creating equity in healthcare for the people, and strengthening the foundation for sustainable social development.

According to Dr. Le Quang Duc, Deputy Director of Hai Duong General Hospital, health insurance is a particularly humane policy, especially for those with serious illnesses requiring advanced techniques or high treatment costs. Health insurance helps patients reduce financial pressure and access timely and effective treatment.

Expand the scope of support.

People in difficult circumstances in Luu Kiem ward were presented with health insurance cards. Photo: SOCIAL INSURANCE OF HANOI CITY

The Health Insurance Law (amended and supplemented in 2024) will take effect from July 1, 2025. According to Phan Nhat Minh, Deputy Director of the Hai Phong Social Insurance Department, a key new feature of the amended Health Insurance Law is the regulation allowing nationwide access to healthcare services. Instead of being limited to within the same province as before, people can receive medical treatment at any healthcare facility nationwide while still enjoying full benefits. This is a groundbreaking regulation that helps patients access services according to their needs, especially when their local area of residence lacks the capacity to implement advanced medical techniques.

To ensure the rights of participants, the Social Insurance agency has implemented many flexible solutions such as simplifying procedures, enhancing online registration via VssID, linking national data, and expanding collection points at banks, post offices, and social organizations. At the same time, the sector is promoting multi-channel communication, incorporating real-life stories to raise awareness and encourage informal workers and those in remote areas to proactively participate in health insurance.

Hai Phong has also implemented many specific support policies to help spread health insurance policies widely. Notably, the City People's Council is drafting a resolution to unify the level of support for health insurance contributions for the following groups after the administrative unit merger. According to the draft, the city budget will support 100% of the health insurance contribution for people aged 60 to 74 who do not receive a pension or monthly social allowance; Party members awarded the 40-year Party membership badge; members of the Association of the Blind who do not yet have free health insurance cards; and people infected with HIV/AIDS as defined by regulations.

In addition, there are support levels for people in near-poor households; people in households engaged in agriculture, forestry, fisheries, and salt production with average living standards; and garbage collectors in waste collection groups in villages and residential areas certified by the commune People's Committee as not belonging to enterprises or cooperatives. The total annual support budget is expected to be over 396 billion VND; and nearly 1,981 billion VND for the period 2026-2030.

On December 3, 2025, the Standing Committee of the City Party Committee issued Plan 20-KH/TU to implement Directive No. 52-CT/TW on universal health insurance. The city aims to achieve over 95.5% of the population participating in health insurance by 2026 and strives for universal coverage by 2030.

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To date, approximately 3.8 million people in the city have participated in health insurance. All 435 health insurance-covered medical facilities in the area have been able to look up health insurance card information using citizen identification cards, contributing to the modernization of medical examination and treatment services.

NGOC HAN

Source: https://baohaiphong.vn/diem-tua-giam-ganh-nang-chi-phi-cho-nguoi-benh-529248.html