Vietnam Proposes Expanding Health Insurance Coverage for Home-Based Medical Services

Vietnam's Ministry of Health has proposed expanding health insurance (BHYT) coverage to over 200 medical services provided by doctors visiting the homes of elderly, severely disabled, and chronically ill patients who face difficulties in traveling to clinics. This proposal aims to improve healthcare access and strengthen care for individuals for whom visiting a medical facility is challenging. This move suggests an evolution in Vietnam's healthcare system towards a more comprehensive and patient-centered approach. While medical services have traditionally been centered around hospital and clinic visits, promoting home-based care could lead to more efficient use of medical resources and reduced patient burden. Vietnam faces a dual challenge of rapid aging and increasing non-communicable diseases (NCDs). In this context, expanding home-based healthcare may also contribute to controlling medical costs. The government is seeking measures to enhance the quality and accessibility of healthcare services for its citizens while strengthening cost control. Reports from recent years, such as over one million residents in Ho Chi Minh City receiving health check-ups within just two months, indicate a growing public health awareness and an expanding healthcare service delivery system. Advancements in medical technology also provide a foundation for enabling advanced medical procedures at home. However, for this proposal to materialize, it will be essential to establish standards to guarantee the quality of home-based care, train healthcare professionals, and develop specific guidelines for insurance benefits and procedures. Under Vietnam's one-party system, such policy decisions are led by the central government and have a significant impact on citizens' lives. For Vietnam, a nation experiencing continuous economic growth, the sustainability of its universal health insurance system and the improvement of healthcare service quality are crucial elements for social stability.