Vietnam stresses efficient health insurance management

General Director Nguyen pushes for strengthening the system for statistics, synthesis, and evaluation.

Vietnam Social Security’s (VSS) General Director Nguyen The Manh reiterated the significant responsibility these localities bear in managing the national health insurance costs. 

He stressed the importance of improving management efficiency to optimise funds, minimise unnecessary spending, and allocate resources effectively for the treatment of severely ill patients, especially those with chronic illnesses.

He instructed the social security offices to collaborate closely with nurses and doctors to address wasteful spending, aiming to protect the rights of health insurance participants and maximize the use of health insurance funds, given the constraints of limited financial resources.

Deputy General Director Nguyen Duc Hoa also highlighted that the combined medical examination and treatment costs for health insurance in these 12 provinces and cities account for more than half of the nation's total. 

He noted that some regions have reported higher healthcare insurance spending rates than the national average, necessitating careful evaluation and leadership to manage these costs effectively.

Le Van Phuc, head of the VSS Department of Health Insurance Implementation, reported on the excessive spending observed in some provinces within the group, suggesting that their expenditures may exceed the government's estimates. 

He praised the bold leadership and efforts of local social security offices in improving the management of medical examination and treatment costs across the country.

Duong Tuan Duc, director of the Centre for Medical Claim Review, discussed tools developed to support leaders in managing costs at local social security offices. 

These tools include risk identification, management tools, and methods for evaluating unjustified cost increases, which have proven effective in ensuring compliance with legal requirements.

Nguyen stressed the importance of strengthening the system for statistics, synthesis, and evaluation both nationally and locally. 

He reminded local social security offices of their obligation to regularly inform health insurance medical facilities of any rising variables and improper expenditures, using numbers and charts to demonstrate instances of unreasonableness and allowing for necessary adjustments.

He emphasised the need for a comprehensive approach in managing health insurance and social insurance medical treatment costs, from general oversight to detailed analysis, and highlighted the importance of transparency in safeguarding patients' rights. 

He encouraged local offices to issue warnings, conduct checks, and refuse payment when necessary, based on the statistics and warning systems provided by VSS.