From July 1, Vietnam will implement several new healthcare policies designed to reduce the financial burden on citizens when accessing medical services. According to the Ministry of Health, these policies are anticipated to improve healthcare access, enhance the quality of the population, and ensure better benefits for health insurance participants.

Enhanced Health Insurance Benefits

The new regulations regarding health insurance will provide greater benefits for citizens seeking medical care, especially for outpatient services. Notably, individuals with health insurance who visit outpatient facilities outside their designated area will have 50% of their costs covered by the health insurance fund if they visit facilities rated 50 points or higher. Previously, patients had to bear the full cost of outpatient services at many provincial hospitals.

Additionally, health insurance participants will enjoy higher benefits for outpatient services costing less than 379,500 VND, applicable to both in-network and out-of-network visits. Specifically, patients will receive 100% coverage for outpatient visits under this threshold, effectively eliminating their out-of-pocket expenses.

Support for Maternity and Childbirth

The new Population Law, effective from July 1, allows couples to decide the timing and number of children they wish to have, moving away from the previous encouragement of limiting families to one or two children. Women giving birth to their second child will receive an extended maternity leave of seven months, while fathers will be entitled to ten days off to support their families.

Moreover, women from ethnic minorities and those giving birth in areas with low birth rates will receive financial support when having children, aimed at reversing the declining birth rate in Vietnam.

Mandatory HPV Vaccination

Starting July 1, the HPV vaccine will be included in the mandatory vaccination program, aimed at preventing cervical cancer and other HPV-related diseases in both women and men. This addition increases the number of infectious diseases covered by free vaccines to 13.

Changes in Licensing and Salary for Healthcare Workers

The authority to issue medical practice licenses will shift from the Ministry of Health to provincial People's Committees, streamlining the process and enhancing local management. Additionally, from July 1, the base salary for doctors in public hospitals will increase, leading to higher incomes for healthcare professionals.

Free Prenatal and Newborn Screening

The government will provide free screening for certain genetic conditions for pregnant women and newborns, with financial support available for those from low-income households. This initiative aims to improve maternal and child health outcomes across the country.

These comprehensive healthcare policies reflect Vietnam's commitment to enhancing public health services and ensuring that citizens can access necessary medical care without facing overwhelming financial burdens.