Eye examination at the Ophthalmology Hospital of central Thua Thien – Hue Province (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Beginning on July 1, the Health Ministry and
Vietnam Social Security (VSS) will adjust the prices of some health care
services to better manage health insurance funds, said Health Minister Nguyen
Thi Kim Tien.
The adjustment would be carried out in two
periods, the minister said at a meeting among several ministries and agencies and
Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue in early April.
She said the ministry would make amendments to a circular on
payment of healthcare services by May this year and review medical services to
determine which prices need to be adjusted.
In the second period, the Health Ministry, Finance
Ministry and Vietnam Social Security would study the experiences of other
countries to re-organise medical services and set new prices for some
2,000-3,000 services.
According to the minister, the Health Ministry,
Finance Ministry and Vietnam Social Security are reviewing healthcare check-up
frequency and frequency of use of scanning and health examination services to
make adjustments to the prices.
The new prices of medical services will increase
by 5 to 8 percent, according to the Health Ministry.
The increase is predicted to add some 3-4 trillion
VND (130.5 million-174 million USD) per year to the health insurance fund.
Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue required the
Health Ministry to calculate healthcare service prices in accordance with
market mechanisms.
He also asked the Ministry to conduct open,
transparent and competitive bidding on medical equipment and other supplies at
some Health Ministry hospitals.-VNA
Source: VietnamPlus
