Ministry of Health proposes to change the list of cases not eligible for health insurance even though they are in the right health care system

The Ministry of Health has just posted a draft proposal to develop a Law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on Health Insurance and a draft Law amending it to solicit comments.

In the Draft Law being consulted, the Ministry of Health proposes to amend and supplement Article 22 of the Law on Health Insurance regarding cases not eligible for health insurance..

Clause 7, Article 23 of the Law on Health Insurance stipulates that people "treating strabismus, myopia and refractive errors of the eyes, except for children under 6 years old", are among the subjects not entitled to health insurance. In the draft revised law, the Ministry of Health proposed to amend it to: "Treatment of strabismus, myopia and refractive errors of the eyes, except for people under 18 years old" (meaning raising the age range for health insurance).

In addition, Clause 8, Article 23 of the Law on Health Insurance stipulates: "The use of replacement medical supplies including artificial limbs, artificial eyes, dentures, eyeglasses, hearing aids, and mobility aids in medical examination, treatment and rehabilitation" is not covered by health insurance.

In the new bill, the Ministry of Health amended and supplemented: Use of alternative medical supplies including artificial eyes, dentures, eyeglasses, and mobility aids in medical examination, treatment, and rehabilitation (ie, removing artificial limbs and hearing aids).

The Ministry of Health announced the expected time to submit to the National Assembly the Law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on Health Insurance at the 7th session of the 15th National Assembly in May 2024.

In addition to the above 2 cases that have been amended and supplemented, the remaining 10 cases that are not entitled to health insurance remain unchanged according to the provisions of Article 23, Law on Health Insurance 2008 and Law No. 46/2014 amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on Health Insurance, including:

1. Expenses in case they have been paid by the state budget.

2. Nursing and convalescence at nursing and convalescent facilities.

3. Health check.

4. Pregnancy testing and diagnosis are not for treatment purposes.

5. Use of assisted reproductive techniques, family planning services, abortion, except in cases where pregnancy must be terminated due to pathological causes of the fetus or the mother.

6. Use cosmetic services.

7. Medical examination, treatment, and rehabilitation in case of disaster.

8. Medical examination and treatment of drug addiction, alcoholism or other addictive substances.

9. Medical examination, forensic examination, forensic psychiatric examination.

10. Participate in clinical trials and scientific research.