Hanoi guides initial health insurance medical examination and treatment registration in 2026

The Hanoi Department of Health has just issued temporary instructions on initial registration for health insurance examination and treatment in the city in 2026.

The guide is built on the basis of new regulations of the amended Law on Health Insurance, decrees and circulars guiding the implementation and the actual situation of the health system organization in the capital.

According to this guidance, the health insurance examination and treatment system is divided into three levels: Initial level, basic level and specialized level. The decentralization aims to ensure reasonable patient traffic flow, limit overload at upper-level hospitals, and promote the role of grassroots health care.

Health insurance participants have the right to choose a place to register for initial medical examination and treatment that is suitable for their place of residence, work, study and the ability of the medical facility to meet the requirements.

Based on population data and health insurance participation in 2025, the Hanoi Department of Health expects the total number of health insurance examination and treatment cards in early 2026 to reach more than 8.7 million cards, an increase of about 3% compared to the previous year.

The allocation of the number of cards is carried out stably for each facility, based on the actual number of cards, professional capacity, facilities and results of monitoring the quality of health insurance examination and treatment.

For primary medical examination and treatment facilities, the city prioritizes the allocation of cards to regional health stations and general clinics to enhance primary health care for people.

Health stations do not limit the number of registration cards according to their ability to meet the actual requirements. Meanwhile, public and private polyclinics are allocated appropriate quantities, ensuring balance between areas and avoiding local overload.

The guidelines also clearly stipulate the registration for initial medical examination and treatment for specific groups such as children under 6 years old, people aged 75 and over, people with revolutionary contributions, retired cadres, civil servants, and armed forces.

Prioritizing registration at appropriate facilities helps ensure health insurance benefits, while creating favorable conditions for access to medical services for these groups of people.

The Hanoi Department of Health said that during the implementation process, the allocation and adjustment of the initial number of health insurance registration cards will be reviewed periodically, based on the actual needs and response capacity of each health facility.

The city will closely coordinate with social insurance agencies to promptly remove arising problems, ensure the quality of health insurance examination and treatment and the legitimate rights of the people.

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