Practical policies on health insurance support

Health insurance (HI) is one of the key pillars of the social security policy system and has consistently received close attention and direction from the Party and the State, with coordinated implementation nationwide. In Dong Nai, efforts to expand HI coverage continue to be translated into practical policies targeting vulnerable groups in society.

A doctor from the HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Department (Center for Disease Control of Dong Nai Province) examines and provides health counseling to an HIV patient. Photo: Hanh Dung

Recently, at the 8th session of the 10th Provincial People’s Council, a resolution was passed stipulating the level of support for HI contributions for certain groups in the province during the 2026–2030 period. The resolution not only inherits previous policies but also adds several new beneficiary groups, contributing to the realization of the goal of universal health insurance coverage by 2030.

Encouragement from the new policy

Having worked as a population collaborator for more than 20 years, Ngo Thi Hai (66, residing in Tan An Commune) could not hide her delight upon learning that she falls within the group entitled to 100% HI premium support under the new resolution.

“Previously, I had to buy my own HI card. Now that the province fully supports my HI payment, I am truly happy. An HI card is extremely valuable and practical for everyone, especially for elderly people like me. This support has given additional motivation to population collaborators like myself to continue to engage in this work and contribute efforts to implementing tasks at the hamlet and local levels,” Hai shared.

Under the resolution, in addition to population collaborators, the province will provide 100% HI premium support for many disadvantaged groups, including: ethnic minority people from groups still facing significant difficulties as stipulated by the Government; people suffering from life-threatening illnesses; people aged from 70 to under 75 (not classified as poor or near-poor households) residing in Area I communes and in hamlets and villages of ethnic minority and mountainous areas; workers who have exhausted unemployment benefits for more than three months but have not yet rejoined HI – this group will receive support until they find new employment and participate in compulsory social insurance or receive a lump-sum social insurance benefit; individuals from households that have escaped poverty within the past 24 months; and homeless people or beggars currently managed by public social assistance facilities.

Apart from the support levels regulated by the Government, the province also provides percentage-based support for several other groups. Specifically, Dong Nai will support 50% of HI premiums for: students with disabilities studying in inclusive education programs at educational institutions in the province and students at the Dong Nai Center for Inclusive Education Development; village and hamlet health workers; village midwives; and victims as defined by the Law on Prevention and Combat of Human Trafficking, with support provided for one year from the date of official recognition by competent authorities. Individuals from near-poor households under the central government’s standards will receive 30% support, while households engaged in agriculture, forestry, or fisheries with average living standards under central regulations will receive 20% HI premium support.

Necessity in the new context

According to the provincial People’s Committee, the issuance of the new resolution is necessary as the HI support resolutions for the 2022–2025 period of the former Dong Nai and Binh Phuoc provinces will expire at the end of 2025.

Previously, both localities supported hundreds of thousands of HI cards with a total funding amounting to hundreds of billions of dong, significantly helping disadvantaged people access healthcare services and reduce medical examination and treatment costs. Specifically, during the 2022–2025 period, the former Dong Nai Province supported 450,655 beneficiaries with funding exceeding VND 274 billion, while the former Binh Phuoc Province supported 672,455 beneficiaries with funding exceeding VND 154 billion. However, by October 2025, HI coverage in Dong Nai reached only 90.3% of the population, still below the 95% target set by the Provincial Party Committee and the People’s Council. Meanwhile, the Resolution of the 1st Provincial Party Congress for the 2025–2030 term sets the goal of achieving universal HI coverage by 2030.

According to the provincial People’s Committee, the total budget required to implement the support policy on HI payment for certain groups during the 2026–2030 period is estimated at more than VND 841.9 billion, averaging approximately VND 165–171 billion per year, depending on fluctuations in the number of people.

Presenting the provincial People’s Committee’s proposal for the resolution at the 8th session of the People’s Council, Director of Dong Nai Provincial Department of Health Do Thi Nguyen emphasized that the promulgation of the Resolution on HI premium support for certain groups in Dong Nai during 2026–2030 period is highly necessary. The resolution will help beneficiaries access healthcare services and contribute to achieving the target of universal HI coverage by 2030 as set out in the Resolution of the Provincial Party Congress. It is also aligned with the province’s socio-economic development orientation and demonstrates the care and responsibility of Party committees and local authorities toward residents in the province.

According to the verification report of the Culture and Social Affairs Committee of the Provincial People’s Council, the resolution stipulates 12 beneficiary groups, including nine inherited from previous resolutions and three newly added groups. Support levels are developed based on Government Decree No. 188/2025/ND-CP, which details and guides the implementation of certain provisions of the Law on Health Insurance, ensuring that most beneficiary groups receive 100% premium support. For individuals in households engaged in agriculture, forestry, or fisheries with average living standards under central standards, the province provides an additional 20% support (on top of the level stipulated in the decree) to encourage active participation in HI.

According to Head of the Culture and Social Affairs Committee of the Provincial People’s Council Huynh Ngoc Kim Mai, the resolution on HI premium support for the 2026–2030 period is among the policies receiving strong public interest. The appraisal process was conducted thoroughly, in compliance with legal regulations, with reference to policies in neighboring localities and in balance with the province’s budget capacity. The objective was to issue a policy that is both legally compliant and practically feasible, ensuring a balance of interests and contributing to better care for people’s livelihoods.

With this new resolution, Dong Nai continues to reaffirm its commitment to social welfare, moving toward the goal of universal health insurance coverage and ensuring that no one is left behind in healthcare access.

By Ho Thao – Translated by Thuy Trang, Thu Ha