From July 1, 2026, millions of health insurance (BHYT) holders in Vietnam will enjoy a significant benefit when seeking outpatient care at facilities outside their registered locations. For the first time, patients will not have to bear the full cost of treatment at these facilities, as the BHYT fund will cover 50% of the expenses.

This change is particularly welcomed by individuals like Nguyen Thu Nga from Hanoi, who has been managing chronic conditions but previously faced the burden of paying all medical costs when seeking care outside her designated hospital. "I am very happy to learn that starting in July, BHYT will cover part of the costs for outpatient care at non-registered facilities. This will give residents more options that suit their locations and travel conditions without losing their insurance benefits," she expressed.

The new regulation is expected to empower patients to choose healthcare facilities that meet their needs without the fear of incurring full costs. Under the updated policy, patients will receive 50% coverage for outpatient services at basic-level facilities according to their insurance cards. For instance, if a patient has an 80% coverage rate and incurs a total medical cost of 1 million VND, the BHYT fund will reimburse 400,000 VND, leaving the patient responsible for only 600,000 VND.

As the public eagerly anticipates the implementation of this policy, hospitals are preparing for a potential increase in patient numbers. Dr. Nguyen Van Thuong, Director of Thanh Nhan Hospital, noted that the hospital currently sees about 1,500 outpatient visits daily, with around 25% of those being patients seeking care outside their registered facilities. "With the new policy in effect, we expect the percentage of patients seeking care outside their registration to rise to 30-35%, especially from surrounding areas of Hanoi," he stated.

To manage this increase, the hospital is developing various response plans, including reviewing its clinic systems and preparing additional medical staff and supplies. All personnel have been trained on the new BHYT regulations to ensure consistent guidance for patients from the outset of the policy's rollout.

In addition to the 50% coverage for non-registered outpatient care, starting July 1, the threshold for 100% coverage for total medical costs below 15% of the base salary will increase from 351,000 VND to 379,500 VND. Patients can utilize their BHYT cards, chip-enabled citizen ID cards, or VNeID integrated with BHYT when accessing healthcare services.