Students' health insurance (BHYT) premium support may rise from at least 50% to at least 70% under a draft decree the Ministry of Health has opened for comment.
What is being proposed
The Ministry of Health is seeking feedback on a draft Decree to raise benefit levels and gradually expand the scope of health insurance (BHYT) benefits, giving priority to groups in line with their contribution levels and within what the Health Insurance Fund can balance.
Under Clause 1, Article 8 of the draft, the state budget will support health insurance premiums for several groups of participants at different levels. If approved, the Decree is expected to take effect on April 1, 2027; the provisions on periodic health check-ups are expected to apply earlier, from January 1, 2027.
Five groups proposed for higher support
- Students: at least 70% of the premium, compared with at least 50% at present.
- People in near-poor households: at least 80%, currently at least 70%.
- People with mild disabilities in near-poor households: the full premium covered.
- People in households with average living standards: at least 50%, currently at least 30%.
- People being sheltered and cared for at charitable or religious organizations and facilities: at least 50%.
If the policy is issued, the state budget will cover a larger share for groups with limited financial means or special circumstances, so the amount each person pays out of pocket to join health insurance will go down.
What the current rules say
At present, budget support levels are set out for each group in Decree 188/2025/NĐ-CP (Clause 6, Article 6). Specifically:
- People in near-poor households living in poor communes have their full premium covered.
- People in near-poor households under the Law on Health Insurance (Point a, Clause 4, Article 12) receive at least 70%.
- A few other groups receive at least 50% or 70%, depending on the conditions of each group.
- The group specified in the Law on Health Insurance (Point d, Clause 4, Article 12) and Decree 188/2025/NĐ-CP (Clause 4, Article 5) currently receives at least 30%; the draft proposes raising this group to at least 50%.
In short, compared with the current rules, the three notable changes are: near-poor households rise from 70% to 80%, students from 50% to 70%, and households with average living standards from 30% to 50% (all minimum levels).
Still a draft
These figures are only proposals in the draft. The Ministry of Health will compile the feedback, finalize the document and submit it to the competent authority for a decision. People should follow official information once the Decree is issued.
Ky Hoa Medical Center accepts health insurance (BHYT) patients. When visiting, students and their families can ask at the reception desk for guidance on current health insurance benefits.
Ky Hoa Medical Center is open Monday to Saturday, 6:30 - 11:30 and 13:00 - 17:00; closed on Sunday. Address: 266A - 268 3 Thang 2 Street, Hoa Hung Ward, Ho Chi Minh City. Hotline 028.3868.1097.
Source: Suc Khoe & Doi Song (Health & Life) newspaper