The issued Decree 188/2025 has added new regulations on procedures for issuing health insurance cards. Participants can register to issue an electronic card or a paper copy through the National Public Service Portal, the application of the social insurance agency, directly at the one-stop department or by post.
Electronic health insurance cards and paper versions have the same legal value. Each person is issued a unique health insurance code to synchronize information with the citizen identification card, helping to look up quickly when going to the doctor. The card shows full personal information, benefit level, initial medical examination and treatment location, effective date and participation period for 5 consecutive years in case of co-payment.
Most health insurance cards are valid from the date the participant pays the fee. However, for those who have paid or are supported by the state budget to participate for the first time, or participate again after a break of 90 days or more, the card will be valid after 30 days from the date of full payment.
Some specific groups of people will enjoy immediate benefits. Unemployment benefits are valid from the date of receipt of the benefits. Children under 6 years old are entitled to benefits from birth date. Donors of tissues and organs receive them immediately after donation.
For students, it is stipulated that there will be groupings according to each time of admission:
Grade 1 students are counted as effective from October 1, the first year of primary school. If the baby is born after September 30, the effective date is from the last day of the month when the baby is 72 months old.
12th graders are counted from January 1 to September 30 of the school year and are encouraged to pay until December 31 so as not to have their rights interrupted.
First-year students are valid from the date of admission or from the time the old card expires. Final year students are entitled from January 1 to the end of the month and are also recommended to pay until December 31.
From July 1, 2025, students will receive 50% state support for health insurance contributions. Thus, the maximum contribution rate is only 52,650 VND per month, down more than 21,000 VND compared to before. Participants can choose to pay periodically for 3 months, 6 months or 12 months. The specific post-support payment level includes 157,950 VND with the 3-month method, 315,900 VND with 6 months, 473,850 VND with 9 months and 631,800 VND with 12 months.
The new regulation is expected to help people more conveniently register, reduce the risk of disruption of benefits and increase the coverage rate of public health insurance.
