Improving health knowledge for insurance consultants

(Dan Tri) - In the context of people increasingly paying attention to health care and financial protection against health risks, they have higher expectations for the role of insurance consultants.

From practical needs to new expectations

Many customers have stated that when purchasing insurance, they not only seek out consultants with insurance knowledge, but also expect consultants who understand public health to provide more effective support.

Mr. Nguyen Minh Tam (a construction manager in Hanoi ) has been insured for 5 years. He said he often asks the insurance advisor for information about hospital admission procedures, symptoms, etc. “I feel reassured because the advisor understands public health. Once, I needed surgery for a herniated disc and needed to ask about the necessary procedures and choose a reputable hospital. Thanks to the advisor's understanding of hospital procedures and insurance coverage, my hospitalization was more convenient and I felt more at ease during the surgery,” Mr. Tam shared.

Ms. Tran Thi Hong (an office worker in Ho Chi Minh City), who has a history of medical conditions, said: “Six months ago, I suffered from dyslipidemia and some digestive problems, so I thought it would be difficult to get insurance. But the consultant explained the exclusions to me in detail. Even with my illness, I was still able to participate in suitable products. The consultant was knowledgeable and enthusiastic, so I felt quite reassured.”

Customers expect insurance advisors to have a good understanding of public health in order to provide more effective advice and support (Photo: Thu Hang).

Mr. Pham Van Tam (Ho Chi Minh City), an insurance consultant with over 20 years of experience, said: “80% of my clients ask about health issues before purchasing insurance. For example, what documents are needed to receive quick insurance payouts, what are the common types of critical illnesses, how is nasopharyngeal cancer different from thyroid cancer, etc.”

According to Mr. Tam, this change stems from consumers becoming more aware of illnesses and concerned about the cost of treatment. "Many insurance customers want support with health information to maintain better physical and mental health. Therefore, the more knowledge insurance advisors have about public health, the better they can support and accompany customers," Mr. Tam added.

A new direction for insurance in Vietnam.

According to data from the Vietnam Insurance Association, in the first six months of 2025, the number of new insurance contracts reached nearly 900,000, an increase of 22.3% compared to the same period last year. Total insurance benefit payments are estimated at nearly 29,000 billion VND, an increase of 6.5% compared to the same period last year. This demonstrates the essential role of insurance in protecting the health and finances of policyholders.

Furthermore, living a healthy and high-quality life is becoming increasingly important. According to the Manulife Asia Care 2025 survey, living a long life is no longer the top priority for people today. Instead, they prioritize living a healthy and financially independent life. Therefore, insurance advisors need not only strong financial knowledge but also a basic understanding of public health.

Recognizing this trend, Manulife Vietnam has implemented essential public health training for its consultants through collaboration with the Vietnam Young Doctors Association and the Institute of Preventive Medicine and Public Health Training - Hanoi Medical University. This is a strategic step to develop a new generation of professional consultants who are knowledgeable in both finance and public health, meeting the growing demand for healthy living and helping customers find the most optimal protection solutions.

Manulife consultants receive training in public health knowledge at Hanoi Medical University (Photo: Hue Ngoc).

Specifically, the program focuses on providing knowledge about common infectious and non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, stroke, and cancer. In addition to theory, counselors are also guided on how to interpret test results and advise on health issues related to insurance benefits for practical application.

Associate Professor, Doctor Le Minh Giang - Director of the Institute of Preventive Medicine Training, Hanoi Medical University - said: "The goal of this collaboration is to enhance essential public health knowledge for insurance consultants to help policyholders become informed customers."

This training model benefits multiple parties. Customers receive better support from consultants with a foundational knowledge of public health. For businesses, it's a long-term investment in people, creating a difference in customer experience. More broadly, this model signals a positive shift in the insurance industry: prioritizing customer health.

Ms. Tina Nguyen, General Director of Manulife Vietnam, stated: “This is our pioneering step to realize our commitment to improving service quality and building a new generation of consultants who are both financial experts and health ambassadors, accompanying customers throughout their journey of comprehensive health and financial protection. Manulife's program also helps promote the development of the Vietnamese insurance industry towards transparency, professionalism, and sustainability.”

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/kinh-doanh/nang-cao-kien-thuc-ve-suc-khoe-cho-tu-van-vien-bao-hiem-20250910171732931.htm