Health insurance - a health "fulcrum" for the elderly

"Talisman"

Ms. Le Thi De (65 years old, living in Vu La residential area, Nam Dong ward, Hai Duong city) has many diseases such as cardiovascular disease, blood pressure, vestibular disease, osteoarthritis... Every month she has to go to the Provincial Rehabilitation Hospital for a check-up and health check-up. "I only work in agriculture so my family's economy is not very good. Before, because I did not have health insurance, I spent at least 1 million VND every month for medical examination and treatment. A few years ago, I decided to buy voluntary health insurance. Since I have insurance, I feel much more secure. Some months, I only have to pay 80,000 VND for medical examination and treatment," Ms. De said.

Having no husband, no children, and working as a housekeeper, Ms. Bui Thi Que (in Te Cau village, Hong Duc commune, Ninh Giang) has an unstable income. Meanwhile, Ms. Que also suffers from degenerative lumbar spine, degenerative knee disease and gastric reflux. Every month, she has to go to the doctor and buy medicine for treatment. Ms. Que said: “I am alone, if I don’t have a health insurance card, it will be very difficult.”

In recent years, the health of Mr. Vu Van Tuc and his wife (in Do Xa village, Tan Hong commune, Binh Giang) has shown clear signs of decline. The couple has deducted a portion of their income to buy health insurance. According to Mr. Tuc, thanks to health insurance, each time they have a regular check-up or medical treatment, their children do not have to worry much about finances because most of them are covered by health insurance.

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In order to better care for the elderly, in recent years, the Provincial People's Council has had practical policies for the elderly, including policies on social insurance.

According to the resolutions of the Provincial People's Council, from August 1, 2023, nearly 28,000 people aged 65 to under 80 in Hai Duong have been supported with 70% of their health insurance premiums. From January 1, 2024, the elderly aged 77 to under 80 in Hai Duong will be supported with an additional 30% (in addition to the 70% of the premiums already supported); Party members awarded the 40-year Party membership badge in the province will also be supported with 100% of their health insurance premiums.

In addition, some localities also have their own policies to support the elderly in purchasing health insurance, typically Kinh Mon town. This locality has allocated a budget to support 30% of the cost of purchasing health insurance cards for people aged 70 to under 77, with the support period from February 1, 2024 to December 31, 2025. With this policy, people aged 70 to under 77 in Kinh Mon will be supported 100% (province 70%, town 30%) of the cost of purchasing health insurance cards.

In addition, localities and functional agencies in the province also implement a program to give health insurance cards to people in difficult circumstances, including the elderly.

With the efforts of all levels, sectors and localities in the province, by the end of 2023, nearly 274,000 elderly people in the province had health insurance cards, accounting for over 83%. Thanks to participating in health insurance, the elderly have received free health examinations and care or have had support to pay a part of the cost according to the provisions of the Law on Health Insurance.

According to Mr. Pham Quang San, Deputy Head of the Provincial Elderly Association, through the understanding of the Elderly Association at all levels in the province, being examined, treated, and provided with health care using health insurance cards at medical facilities has helped improve the health of elderly members.

According to the leader of the provincial Social Insurance, to achieve the goal of 100% of the elderly having health insurance cards by 2025 according to the province's programs and plans for elderly health care, the sector is actively coordinating with related sectors, agencies, units and localities to promote communication, mobilization and development of health insurance participants, with special attention paid to the elderly.