By the end of June 2024, the number of people enrolled in health insurance in Hanoi reached more than 8,000,000, or 94.33% of the city's population, up 3.83% over the same period last year, according to the Hanoi Social Security.

Meanwhile, the number of people signed up for mandatory social insurance in the city was nearly 2,000,000, an increase of 4.9% of the target. The number of people covered by unemployment insurance was 2,011,000, an increase of 4.78% of the 2023 plan.

The total premium income of social, health and unemployment insurance by the end of May 2024 was VND38.1 trillion (US$1.5 billion), up 13.6% year-on-year.

A staff checks patients’ health insurance cards at Duc Giang General Hospital in Hanoi’s Long Bien District. Photo: Thanh Hai/ The Hanoi Times

Phan Van Men, Director of Hanoi Social Security, announced that the city would step up its short-notice inspections of businesses and medical facilities that appear to be making money off of social security and health insurance funds.

"As health insurance benefits have expanded and the quality of medical examinations and treatment has improved, more and more Hanoi residents have applied for health insurance, which in turn has contributed to ensuring social welfare and improving the quality of medical care for people in the capital," Men said.

Hanoi's citizens are becoming more aware of the need to have health insurance as a result of intensified communication efforts and initiatives to ensure its long-term viability.

"The collection of social, medical, and unemployment insurance premiums and the coverage rate have increased year by year. In the time ahead, the insurance industry will continue to promote administrative reform, apply information technology in professional activities, and create favorable conditions for social and medical insurance enrollment and benefit claims," Men added.

He stressed that the Hanoi Social Security will focus on expanding health insurance coverage and strive to have 100% of students enrolled in health insurance.

Regarding the implementation of Plan No. 146 of the Hanoi People's Committee of May 10, 2024, on the application of cashless payment for monthly pensions and social insurance benefits, the director said that the proportion of people receiving pensions and social insurance benefits through bank accounts had reached 94% by mid-June, far exceeding the city's target of 80%.

Hanoi Social Security continues to promote cashless payment so that all transactions will be carried out electronically by the end of 2024, Men said, adding that the move will help reduce costs and save tens of billions of Vietnam dong compared to paying in cash as before.