From 2026, which subjects will be given priority for free medical examination?

The Ministry of Health is developing a project to gradually implement the policy of exempting hospital fees according to Resolution No. 72 of the Politburo. The Resolution sets the goal that from 2026, people will be able to have regular health check-ups at least once a year; by 2030, people will be exempted from hospital fees at a basic level within the scope of health insurance benefits according to the roadmap.

According to the proposal of the Ministry of Health , starting from 2026, the hospital fee exemption roadmap will be implemented in 3 phases. Along with that, the health insurance contribution level will be adjusted to increase compared to current regulations. Specifically, from 2026, people will be entitled to periodic health check-ups or free screening at least once a year, depending on the target group and priority roadmap. Also from this point, health insurance participants from near-poor households, people aged 75 and over who are receiving social pension benefits will be covered 100% of medical examination and treatment costs within the scope of benefits.

In the 2026-2027 period, health insurance payments for medicines, medical equipment and techniques will be increased; at the same time, the health insurance contribution rate will be adjusted from 2027 to about 5.1%, with the state budget supporting policy beneficiaries.

The 2028-2030 period aims to reduce out-of-pocket spending to below 30%, expand the list of drugs, equipment and techniques covered by health insurance; pilot cost-effective screening for 2-3 diseases; pay for disease prevention services from the health insurance fund; and increase the coverage rate to over 95% of the population.

From 2026, which subjects will be given priority for free medical examination? -0 — From 2026, people will receive free medical examinations at least once a year according to priority groups.

From 2030, continue to increase the health insurance contribution rate to 5.4% and experiment with supplementary health insurance, diversifying benefit packages. After 2030, aim for universal health insurance, exempting hospital fees within the scope of basic service packages and screening for 3-5 common diseases. From 2032, the health insurance contribution rate will increase to 6%. At the same time, complete the grassroots health care and smart, multi-layered, multi-benefit health insurance payment system.

Initially, the model will be applied at primary medical examination and treatment facilities, including both public and private hospitals. The implementation will follow a roadmap, with priority order, in accordance with the contribution level, the ability to balance the Health Insurance Fund and the socio-economic conditions of each period.

To implement periodic health check-ups for people at least once a year from 2026, Ms. Tran Thi Trang, Director of the Department of Health Insurance (Ministry of Health) said that the Ministry of Health is preparing technical and guiding documents for implementation. “We do not expect to be able to go for check-ups right from January 1, 2026, but have 1 year to implement the policy. This is the first major policy implemented on a national scale, requiring careful preparation, sufficient resources and implementation locations. The Ministry of Health strives to ensure that in 2026, periodic health check-ups will be carried out for people according to the roadmap as stated in Resolution 72. On that basis, initial electronic health records will be created for people,” Ms. Trang said.

According to the Director of the Health Insurance Department, the Ministry of Health is developing a package of indicators and periodic health check-up indicators; developing a master plan, including the subjects of examination, examination indicators, and assigning key responsibilities to local authorities for implementation. At the local level, there will be clear instructions on where to examine, with support from higher-level health care for periodic health check-ups at the commune level and some basic medical check-ups that people initially register for health insurance.

The Director of the Health Insurance Department said that the basic health service package within the free scope will include a list of services, diseases, drugs and medical equipment. This package covers common diseases, prioritizing necessary diseases first, then gradually expanding according to professional requirements, in accordance with the capacity of the state budget, the Health Insurance Fund and combined with social mobilization.

“The estimated cost of free medical examination is around 300,000 VND/person depending on the subject of examination. The initial cost will be covered by the budget, and the employer will pay the portion that the employee is currently enjoying for this policy. The Health Insurance Fund will partially support, initially for pupils and students,” said Ms. Trang.

The Ministry of Health strives to implement free periodic health check-ups by 2026 according to the priority roadmap under Resolution 72.

Regarding the implementation process, Ms. Trang said that each province will issue a specific plan at the local level to gradually implement it. Free medical examinations at commune health stations will be divided into certain days and have the support of higher-level health care. The examination schedule must be widely publicized and announced to the people to avoid wasting resources.

To pay for the cost of medical facilities organizing free medical examinations, according to Ms. Trang, there are two expected forms: The state budget can pay directly to medical examination and treatment facilities, these facilities will estimate according to the budget hierarchy; or the state will transfer the cost to the Health Insurance Fund, when people come for periodic health examinations, the Health Insurance Fund will pay directly along with the current health insurance examination and treatment costs. Thus, it will save on the implementation stage.

“These are the plans that the Ministry of Health is developing and will try to submit to the Prime Minister for early issuance of a general plan for the whole country. When there is a plan, it will be made public soon so that people know, understand their rights, where to get medical examination and treatment and how to do it, so that people can go for medical examination and treatment according to the scope of benefits as stated in Resolution 72,” the Director of the Department of Health Insurance emphasized.

Source: https://cand.com.vn/y-te/tu-nam-2026-doi-tuong-nao-se-duoc-uu-tien-kham-benh-mien-phi--i790059/