From January 1, 2027, changing the process of issuing health insurance cards for many groups of subjects

The Ministry of Home Affairs issued Circular No. 28/2026/TT-BNV guiding the identification and listing of subjects participating in health insurance (HI) under the state management scope of the Ministry. The Circular takes effect from January 1, 2027, replacing Circular No. 30/2019/TT-BLĐTBXH.

The groups of subjects covered by the state budget for health insurance include people with meritorious services to the revolution, relatives of people with meritorious services, people serving people with meritorious services at home, veterans, youth volunteers and people living in island communes, special zones and other subjects as prescribed. The group of veterans includes people who participated in the resistance war from April 30, 1975 and earlier and people who participated in the war to protect the Fatherland, performing international duties in Cambodia, and helping Laos after this time.

According to the Circular, each person is only allowed to identify one health insurance participant. In case they belong to many groups, participants are listed according to the group with the highest health insurance benefit level. The determination of the participant must be based on valid dossiers and compare information with the National Population Database before approving the list.

The listing process is simplified, prioritizing online implementation. The commune-level People's Committee makes a list for people living in the community; nursing and care facilities for people with meritorious services and social assistance facilities make a list for people being regularly cared for at the facility. Individuals can submit dossiers directly, via post or online on the National Public Service Portal. After review and approval, the commune-level People's Committee transfers electronic data to the grassroots social insurance agency to issue health insurance cards.

For information that has been updated, verified and shared through connected databases, the resolving agency uses electronic data, not requiring people to return existing documents. When changes arise regarding subjects, benefit levels or personal information, the listing agency must update, adjust and send it to the grassroots social insurance agency within no more than 5 working days.

The Circular also requires strengthening digital transformation, ensuring that data is managed uniformly, safely and confidentially. Commune-level People's Committees are responsible for the completeness and accuracy of the list and review monthly changes; Provincial-level People's Committees direct the Department of Home Affairs to coordinate with the Social Insurance agency to implement.

Lists and dossiers that have been created and approved according to Circular No. 30/2019/TT-BLĐTBXH before January 1, 2027 are still valid for health insurance cards, and procedures are not required to be redone, except in cases of changes in information, benefit levels or termination of participation as prescribed.

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