The Hanoi Department of Health has just issued temporary guidelines on registering for initial health insurance (HI) medical examination and treatment in the city in 2026.
The guidance is built on the basis of the new regulations of the amended Health Insurance Law, decrees, circulars guiding implementation and the actual situation of the health system organization of the capital.
According to this guidance, the health insurance examination and treatment system is divided into three levels including: Initial level, basic level and specialized level. The decentralization aims to ensure reasonable patient flow, limit overload at upper-level hospitals, and promote the role of grassroots healthcare.
Health insurance participants have the right to choose a place to register for initial medical examination and treatment that is suitable for their residence, work, study, and the responsiveness of the medical facility.
Based on population data and the health insurance participation situation in 2025, the Hanoi Department of Health expects the total number of health insurance medical examination and treatment cards initially in 2026 to reach more than 8.7 million cards, an increase of about 3% compared to the previous year.
The allocation of card numbers is carried out stably for each facility, based on the actual number of cards, professional capacity, facilities and results of quality supervision of health insurance medical examination and treatment.
For primary-level medical examination and treatment facilities, the city prioritizes allocating cards to health stations and regional general clinics to strengthen primary health care for people.
Health stations do not limit the number of registration cards according to actual availability. Meanwhile, public and private general clinics are allocated an appropriate number, ensuring balance between areas and avoiding local overload.
The guidance also clearly stipulates the registration for initial medical examination and treatment for specific groups such as children under 6 years old, people from 75 years old or older, people with meritorious services to the revolution, retired officials and civil servants, and armed forces.
Prioritizing registration at appropriate facilities helps ensure the right to health insurance medical examination and treatment, while creating favorable conditions in accessing health services for these groups of subjects.
The Hanoi Department of Health said that during the implementation process, the allocation and adjustment of the number of initial health insurance medical examination and treatment registration cards will be periodically reviewed, based on the actual needs and responsiveness of each medical facility.
The city will closely coordinate with the social insurance agency to promptly remove arising problems, ensure the quality of health insurance medical examination and treatment and the legitimate rights of people.
