VietNamNet Bridge – Ha Noi’s health insurance fund suffered a deficit of more than VND500 billion (US$21.4 million) in the first half of this year, according to Nguyen Duc Hoa, director of Ha Noi Social Insurance.

Ha Noi’s health insurance fund suffered a deficit of more than VND500 billion (US$21.4 million) in the first half of this year. — Photo Anninhthudo.vn

At a press conference in Hanoi on Tuesday, Hoa said over 7.9 million health insurer cardholders received medical check-ups and treatment in the first nine months of the year, with the cost amounting to more than VND12.2 trillion ($525.8 million).

Hoa attributed the overspending to an upsurge in health care service fees. Some healthcare facilities also ask patients to take unnecessary medical tests.

In addition, treatment costs depend on each centre, making it difficult for the agency to balance the fund.

Ha Noi Social Insurance has asked medical centres to review health insurance payments.

The percentage of Ha Noi citizens with health care insurance has so far reached 84.9 per cent and is expected to increase to 85.3 per cent by the end of this year.

Source: VNS