Vietnam Considers Expanding Health Insurance Coverage for Home Healthcare

Vietnam's Ministry of Health is seeking public opinion on a draft circular concerning health insurance payments for family medicine, home visits, and telemedicine. A significant proposal within the draft is to have the health insurance fund cover the costs of home-based medical examinations and treatments for individuals who are unable to, or face significant difficulties in, reaching healthcare facilities. This proposal is seen as part of Vietnam's ongoing efforts to improve access to healthcare services. Home healthcare can be a crucial option for the elderly, patients with chronic illnesses, and those with mobility issues. Covering home healthcare costs through health insurance could reduce the financial burden on these patient groups and promote access to higher quality medical care. Vietnam has been continuously reforming its health insurance system. For instance, from July 1, 2026, outpatient visits for out-of-network patients at certain central hospitals will also be covered by health insurance at 50%. In the first half of the year, over 93.7 million medical examinations and treatments were covered by health insurance, and a policy exempting costs below 380,000 VND from July 1 is also being implemented. These measures demonstrate the Vietnamese government's commitment to universal health coverage and equalizing access to medical services. The proposed expansion of health insurance coverage to include home healthcare could represent a significant step towards further comprehensiveness of the healthcare system and the promotion of public health. The upcoming discussions and the eventual issuance of the circular are highly anticipated. Source: Nhan Dan