No need to pay for Covid-19 testing when visiting and receiving treatment at public health facilities
According to the Ministry of Health, when visiting and receiving treatment at public medical facilities, patients do not have to pay any fees when being assigned to test for Covid-19.
Recently, public opinion has reflected on the inadequacies in Covid-19 testing at medical facilities, especially the testing costs being beyond the tolerance of people with chronic kidney failure, including patients with insurance cards.
On September 20, the Government Office issued a document conveying the direction of Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam to direct the Ministry of Health to clearly and transparently inform about legal regulations, and at the same time rectify any improper implementation (if any) by medical facilities regarding Covid-19 testing.
On September 28, the Ministry of Health continued to issue an official dispatch requesting the Department of Health of provinces and centrally run cities, medical facilities under the Ministry of Health, health facilities of ministries, branches, and private medical facilities to seriously rectify the implementation of service collection.Covid-19 test.
Previously, in early May when the fourth outbreak occurred, the Official Dispatches dated May 7 and May 10 of the National Steering Committee for Epidemic Prevention and Control stipulated that patients with health insurance cards, when coming to public medical facilities for examination and treatment, if suspected of having Covid-19 and being assigned to be tested, must follow the instructions of the Vietnam Social Security.
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| Taking Covid-19 test samples. Photo courtesy of Thanh Cuong |
The remaining subjects will pay from the Covid-19 prevention and control fund allocated by competent authorities and according to the current State budget decentralization. Thus, patients do not have to pay any fees when assigned to test for Covid-19.
Therefore, the Ministry of Health requests that the health departments of provinces and centrally-run cities, according to their functions and tasks, strengthen the inspection and examination of the implementation of legal regulations on prices for medical facilities in the area, especially compliance with regulations on prices for Covid-19 testing services by private medical facilities.
The Ministry requests strict handling of any violations, if any, and not to allow the situation of taking advantage of the epidemic to increase the prices of general medical services and Covid-19 testing services of medical facilities in the area. If necessary, report to the Provincial People's Committee to direct the inspection, examination and handling of violations./.