Elimination of health insurance drug lists simplifies healthcare access
By removing the list of medicines covered by health insurance according to hospital classification, the Ministry of Health aims to streamline healthcare access for patients and medical facilities.
Effective January 1, 2025, the Ministry’s Circular No. 37/2024/TT-BYT, which establishes the principles, criteria, and procedures for the development, updating, and maintenance of the health insurance drug list, came into force. This policy reform ensures uniform drug coverage across all medical facilities. Consequently, all medical facilities will be empowered to utilize the same list of drugs covered by health insurance thereby eliminating the previous classification of hospitals.
Deputy Minister of Health Tran Van Thuan stated that approximately 94 percent of the population is currently covered by health insurance. The reimbursement for medication expenses for health insurance beneficiaries is being conducted in accordance with the list of health insurance medications and the guidelines outlined in the Ministry of Health’s Circular No. 20/2022/TT-BYT. Nevertheless, this reimbursement process has exposed several shortcomings, leading to challenges for both patients and healthcare facilities.
Translated by Anh Quan
