Good news for people who want to have health insurance examination at specialized hospitals

(Dan Tri) - From now on, some people in Ho Chi Minh City can see a doctor at a specialized hospital without having to go through complicated referral procedures.

Since the beginning of this year, the Ministry of Health has allowed a number of cases to register for initial health insurance examination and treatment at specialized medical facilities.

In Ho Chi Minh City, the Ho Chi Minh City Hospital of Traditional Medicine opened initial health insurance registration for medical examination and treatment for the first time, helping some people to go for medical examination without needing to ask for a hospital referral.

People wait to receive health insurance cards at the Ho Chi Minh City Hospital of Traditional Medicine (Photo: Dieu Linh).

No more going to the doctor and asking for a referral

On a weekend morning, Mr. Nguyen Viet (64 years old, residing in Nhieu Loc ward, Ho Chi Minh City) arrived at the Ho Chi Minh City Hospital of Traditional Medicine early to receive a free examination and complete the procedure to transfer his initial health insurance registration to this hospital.

Previously, Mr. Viet was examined and treated at District 3 Hospital. Every time he wanted to go to a specialized hospital such as the Traditional Medicine Hospital of Ho Chi Minh City, he had to ask for a referral. This caused a lot of trouble, especially for an elderly person like him.

Mr. Viet said that after his health insurance was activated, he could go for examination and treatment using specialized traditional medicine methods without needing to request a referral. All medical examination and treatment costs would also be covered by insurance according to regulations.

In addition, he can also receive free treatments such as acupuncture, massage, and acupressure.

Mr. Viet received the health insurance card from two deputy directors of the hospital - BSCK2 Ha Thi Hong Linh and MSc. Dr. Huynh Xuan Thao (Photo: NT)

Sharing the same opinion, Ms. Dong Xuan (75 years old, residing in Tan Dinh ward, Ho Chi Minh City) has just transferred her health insurance registration from the district hospital to the Ho Chi Minh City Hospital of Traditional Medicine.

After undergoing spinal surgery a few years ago, Ms. Xuan regularly comes here for check-ups and traditional medicine services. Each time, she has to ask her children and grandchildren to get a referral letter that is only valid for 3 months.

For Ms. Xuan, transferring her health insurance registration to the hospital can help save time traveling to get a referral. She also feels secure in receiving treatment and using services here because her health insurance supports her payment.

Sharing with Dan Tri , BSCK2 Ha Thi Hong Linh, Deputy Director of Ho Chi Minh City Traditional Medicine Hospital, said that in September, Ho Chi Minh City Traditional Medicine Hospital received 112,043 outpatient examinations and treatments and 589 inpatients. Of which, the elderly group accounted for a large number.

"The most common are musculoskeletal diseases, followed by neurological diseases, cardiovascular diseases and metabolic diseases. These diseases often appear simultaneously in the elderly, requiring comprehensive and continuous care," Dr. Linh shared.

Advances in public health care

According to Dr. Linh, the unit was previously classified as a specialized hospital, so it was not on the initial list of health insurance registration. People who wanted to have health insurance examinations at the hospital had to request a referral from a lower level. This caused many difficulties, especially for the elderly and chronic patients who needed regular check-ups.

Grasping this reality, since July 15, the hospital has proposed and been approved to allow initial health insurance registration here.

"This is an important step towards improving the quality of health care for the elderly in the community," Dr. Linh shared.

In addition to being covered by health insurance for medical examination and treatment costs according to regulations at the Ho Chi Minh City Hospital of Traditional Medicine, patients who go to lower-level hospitals for examination are still covered by insurance according to the inter-line policy.

In addition, in case intensive treatment is needed at other hospitals in the same line, the hospital will support direct referral, ensuring maximum benefits for the patient.

Since June 1, the hospital has been issued 1,000 initial health insurance cards, with priority given to chronic patients, people over 70 years old and policy beneficiaries. Dr. Linh said the hospital is also working with the Department of Health and the health insurance agency to request more cards to meet the increasing treatment needs of the people.

People wait for outpatient treatment on a weekend at the Ho Chi Minh City Hospital of Traditional Medicine (Photo: Dieu Linh).

According to doctors, traditional medicine is a field of treatment suitable for the elderly, bringing high efficiency in treating chronic diseases. In addition, the elderly often prioritize choosing medical facilities near home for convenience in traveling, especially when traditional medical treatments such as acupuncture, acupressure or physical therapy require daily hospital visits.

Initial health insurance registration at specialized hospitals helps people, especially the elderly and those with chronic diseases, access specialized medical services right in their locality.

According to the regulations of the Ministry of Health, initial registration for health insurance (HI) examination and treatment at specialized facilities is applied to a number of priority groups. These include those under the management of the Politburo and the Secretariat; those who receive health care and protection under the guidance of the Central Organizing Committee; as well as officials under the management and health protection at the provincial level.

In addition, the list also includes people with revolutionary contributions, veterans, and people aged 75 and over. Students and trainees of universities, colleges, and intermediate health sectors who participate in studying, practicing, or interning for 90 days at a facility that has a health insurance contract are also eligible to register. Employees who work or work continuously for 90 days or more at a health facility that has a health insurance contract are also eligible to register.

Other groups given priority for registration include children under 6 years old; retired soldiers and police officers; people with illnesses requiring long-term treatment according to the list of the Ministry of Health, and a number of other cases depending on the characteristics and actual conditions in the locality.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/suc-khoe/tin-vui-cho-nguoi-dan-muon-kham-benh-bhyt-tai-benh-vien-tuyen-chuyen-sau-20251005120112635.htm