Vietnam Social Security clarifies continuous health insurance benefits

Vietnam Social Security has provided details regarding the benefits available to citizens who maintain continuous health insurance participation for five consecutive years or more, in accordance with Article 18 of Decree 188.

Several specific scenarios are recognized as continuous participation. This includes cases where there is a gap in insurance coverage of no more than 90 days. Additionally, time spent abroad is counted if individuals are sent by competent authorities for work or study, or if they are legal spouses or children under 18 accompanying a parent on a term assignment for a Vietnamese agency.

For laborers working abroad under contract or state assignment, previous insurance time is considered continuous if they resume participation within 30 days of re-entering the country. Time spent during unemployment benefit application processes is also included, excluding the period between contract termination and the filing of the application. Furthermore, for certain groups, time spent in the military, police, or cipher organizations is counted toward continuous participation upon retirement or resignation.