Increasing health insurance coverage: Leverage from specific policies

Implementing the Party's consistent viewpoint on caring for and protecting people's health, in recent times, Quang Ninh province has synchronously deployed many solutions to bring the health insurance policy into life, promoting its role as a pillar of social security; contributing to building a fair and effective health system, towards the goal of universal health insurance coverage.

The provincial Social Insurance Department organized a conference to disseminate the Social Insurance Law No. 41/2024/QH15, the Health Insurance Law No. 52/2024/QH15 and implementing documents for units and enterprises under the Vietnam National Coal - Mineral Industries Group , July 2025.

Our Party always identifies health as a key area in the social policy system, in which health insurance is an important tool to ensure the right to health care for all people, regardless of wealth, place of residence or living conditions. Imbued with that spirit, Quang Ninh province has proactively concretized the Party and State's guidelines and policies with practical actions, suitable to local realities.

By the end of June 2025, the whole province had over 1.3 million people participating in health insurance, reaching 95.71% of the population, 1.51% higher than the national average. This is the result of the close leadership of Party committees and authorities at all levels, the close coordination between the Social Insurance agency and departments, branches and sectors, especially the consensus and positive response of the people.

The effective implementation of the health insurance policy not only helps reduce the financial burden on people in health care, but also clearly demonstrates the superiority and humanity of our regime. Based on Resolution No. 28-NQ/TW dated May 23, 2018 of the Central Executive Committee on reforming social insurance policies, the Provincial Party Committee, People's Council, and People's Committee have issued many important resolutions and decisions showing special attention to people's health care.

In particular, support policies from local budgets have clearly demonstrated the spirit of flexibility and initiative in concretizing the Party's guidelines, such as: Resolution 21/2021/NQ-HDND on supporting 100% of health insurance costs for the elderly from 70 to under 80 years old without pension; Resolution 16/2021/NQ-HDND supporting the purchase of health insurance cards for ethnic minorities, residents of mountainous, border and island areas; Resolution 35/2024/NQ-HDND on increasing the support level for near-poor households from 70% to 100%; for households working in agriculture, forestry and fishery with an average living standard from 30% to 80% of the cost of purchasing health insurance cards. These are policies that clearly demonstrate humanity, inclusiveness and leave no one behind, contributing to promoting the process of universal health insurance coverage, one of the key goals of the Resolution of the 15th Provincial Party Congress, term 2020-2025.

Provincial Social Insurance officers are helping Ms. Nguyen Thi Hai Yen (Viet Hung ward) update her health insurance on the VssID application on her smartphone.

Quang La Commune Health Station receives about 50 visitors every day for health check-ups and medication, of which 100% of people have health insurance, demonstrating the effective coverage of the policy.

Ms. Dao Thi Tai (65 years old) in Zone 5, Quang La Commune has a history of high blood pressure and regularly visits the Commune Health Station for check-ups. Ms. Tai shared: I only pay a small amount thanks to the 80% support for health insurance. When I go to the commune health station, I am examined and given full medicine. Health insurance is really important to us rural people.

According to Dr. Tran Ngoc Phuong, Director of Ha Long General Hospital, health insurance helps people feel secure in their treatment, especially vulnerable groups and people in remote areas. Medical facilities are also currently being invested in and professional quality is being improved. Therefore, people are cared for under all conditions and most of the treatment costs are exempted.

From July 1, 2025, the 2024 amended Law on Health Insurance officially takes effect, marking a major step forward in perfecting the social security system according to the Party's orientation; in which some outstanding new points are: Expanding the group covered by 100% of health insurance medical examination and treatment costs, including: meritorious people, veterans, people over 75 years old, near-poor households over 70 years old; people with serious illnesses are examined directly at specialized facilities, without needing a referral; paying for home examination costs, remote consultation, transportation support in emergencies; children under 18 years old are supported in refractive treatment instead of only under 6 years old as before... The new law not only increases benefits, but also deeply demonstrates the spirit of serving the people, ensuring fairness and efficiency in accessing quality health services.

Staff at Quang La Commune Health Station visit and examine the health of local people.

Along with increasing the coverage rate, the appraisal and management of the health insurance fund has been tightened by the provincial Social Insurance through the application of information technology. The deployment of electronic health insurance appraisal software directly connected to the Vietnam Social Insurance system has improved the effectiveness of cost control, ensuring transparency, accuracy, right people, and right benefits. Currently, the provincial Social Insurance has signed contracts with 74 medical facilities in the province, ensuring the rights of people from the commune level to the provincial level. In the first 6 months of 2025, the whole province had over 1 million people examined and treated with health insurance, a number that demonstrates the people's trust in the social security policies of the Party and the State.

Deputy Director of the Provincial Social Insurance Nguyen Huy Thong said: “The province’s early issuance of health insurance support policies has helped people quickly access primary health care services, reduce costs, and ensure social security. This is a testament to the effective leadership of the Party Committee and government in concretizing the Party’s correct guidelines into practice, contributing to improving the lives of all people.

The provincial Social Insurance is determined to successfully implement the goals set out in the Resolution of the 15th Provincial Party Congress, striving to have the health insurance coverage rate of Quang Ninh reach 95.75% by the end of 2025; contributing to consolidating a solid foundation for the cause of comprehensive, sustainable development and serving the people.

Duong Truong

Source: https://baoquangninh.vn/tang-dien-bao-phu-bhyt-don-bay-tu-nhung-chinh-sach-dac-thu-3369926.html