The health insurance fund continues to suffer a deficit of nearly VND2 trillion (around $117.6 million) in 2009 with overspending 15%, higher previous deficits in 2007 and 2008. Explaining the deficit for 2009, Nguyen Minh Thao, a senior official from the Vietnam Social Insurance Agency said the number of people purchasing health insurance soared in 2009. The number of people who now have health insurance cards is more than 50 million, accounting for 57% of the population, a rise of 22%-23% over previous years. Poor management is another reason causing the deficit, Thao said. According to the Vietnam Social Insurance Agency, spending for hi-tech health services makes up 18 percent of total spending. According to Thao, the necessary cost of healthcare services for Vietnamese people is around $80 per year while health insurance premium are less than $20. To try and meet the deficit, health insurance premiums have increased by 1.5 times since July 1 2009, when the Law on Health Insurance took effect. Thao said premium levels are too low but they are unable to further raise premiums. “We will take measures to effectively control the use of the health insurance fund. We hope to put an end to the deficit by 2011 so long as hospital fees don’t change too much,” he said.
The Vietnam Social Insurance Agency has had to borrow from the Pension Fund to cover the deficit.
