Accordingly, nearly 2,000 healthcare serviceswould see fees rise by between 50,000 VND (2.1 USD) and 200,000 VND (8.6USD).
The adjustment was made based on the rise inbasic salary. Current healthcare prices are calculated based on a basic monthlysalary of 1.15 million VND (49 USD), while it increased to 1.39 million VND (60USD) from July 1 last year.
Currently, dual prices for medical examinationsand treatments are being applied at public hospitals. With the fee increase,the price for medical service would be the same for both insured and uninsuredpatients.
According to Director of Hanoi's Department ofHealth Nguyen Khac Hien, the increase in prices of medical services would onlyaffect patients who are not covered by health insurance. About 86.7 percent ofthe population in Hanoi have health insurance.
The adjustment in healthcare services would notaffect people who are offered free insurance including children who are under 6years old and those from social beneficiary families, he said.
Earlier, the Ministry of Health issued acircular on payment of healthcare services. Under the circular, the fees formore than 1,900 healthcare services for insured patients were raised from 3 percentto more than 11 percent at all health facilities in the country on December 15,2018.
The fees were previously calculated based on the basic salary in 2013, or 1.15million VND. After the salary was raised in July, the ministry proposedincreasing the fees to cover salaries for medical staff.
Hospital fees, which will also go towardmanagement costs, will depend on the balance of the health insurance fund. Theycould rise or fall each year, depending on patient demand.-VNS/VNA