Vietnam Ministry of Health studies easing health insurance referral rules

The Vietnamese Ministry of Health is researching ways to simplify and loosen health insurance referral regulations to reduce administrative burdens on patients. This move follows feedback from voters in Lam Dong province regarding the time-consuming and inconvenient nature of current referral procedures.

Under Circular 01/2025/TT-BYT, effective January 1, 2025, several exemptions have been established to facilitate access to care. Specifically, patients diagnosed with one of 62 designated diseases or groups of diseases can access specialized medical facilities without a referral. Additionally, 167 diseases or groups of diseases allow for treatment at basic-level facilities without a referral slip. For 141 other cases, referral slips—which can be issued in paper or electronic formats—are valid for one year.

The Ministry emphasized that these regulations aim to balance patient rights with the efficient use of the healthcare system, preventing overcrowding at specialized hospitals while ensuring patients receive care appropriate to their medical condition.