Adjusting hospital fees to improve the quality of medical examination and treatment under health insurance.

According to the Ministry of Health, after three years of adjusting medical service prices, although localities have only adjusted them by 60-80% as stipulated, it has yielded certain positive results.

According to Mr. Nguyen Trong Khoa, Deputy Director of the Department of Medical Examination and Treatment (Ministry of Health), thanks to the adjustment of service prices, hospitals have used 15% of the medical examination and treatment fees to purchase more beds and chairs, renovate and repair examination rooms, etc. This is a prerequisite for improving the quality of services in the industry.

According to Mr. Khoa, the increase in hospital fees is not about increasing the cost of providing medical services, but rather about transferring previously state-subsidized costs to hospitals into the price, shifting this budget to support those participating in health insurance.

Illustrative image.

Patients will no longer have to pay additional costs that were previously not included in the price. When prices fully reflect costs, it will encourage hospitals to implement and develop medical techniques, thereby allowing people to benefit from these services right in their area.

The joint circular stipulating the unified pricing of medical examination and treatment services covered by health insurance among hospitals of the same category nationwide only applies to health insurance payments; for those without health insurance cards, the current prices will apply for the time being, so they will not be affected.

The rights of those eligible for health insurance, including the poor, ethnic minorities living in socio-economically disadvantaged areas, children under 6 years old, and those who have rendered meritorious services to the revolution, are still guaranteed by the State budget and other financial sources.

For healthcare facilities, when prices are calculated to cover all costs, they will be able to purchase higher-quality medicines, supplies, and chemicals. This will improve the quality of healthcare services and promote the socialization of healthcare. On the other hand, service prices that fully cover costs, including salaries, will change the mindset of healthcare workers in providing better service to patients.

According to Chinhphu.vn