List of traditional medicine drugs covered by health insurance is being expanded

The Ministry of Health of Vietnam has opened a draft circular for feedback aiming to expand the list of traditional medicine drugs and herbal substances covered by insurance. With the new regulation, the list of herbal and traditional medicines increases by 129 items, reaching 358.

Draft Circular and Details of the New List

The Ministry of Health is gathering feedback on the new draft circular containing herbal medicines and traditional medical substances for individuals covered by health insurance.

Compared to the 229 drugs on the current list, the Appendix 1 list has been increased by 129 items, bringing the total to 358 items.

Medicinal Plants and Combination Drugs

In the medicinal plants appendix, there was a decrease of 5 items compared to the 344 traditional drugs on the current list, reducing the number to 344.

Additionally, a separate list consisting of 35 combination drugs containing herbal ingredients to be covered by the Health Insurance Fund was proposed.

Reimbursement Conditions and Rates

The draft regulations detail the reimbursement percentage, scope, conditions, and duration depending on the type of drug.

For example, 50% of the cost for Panax notoginseng saponins is covered at specialized institutions.

Traditional Medicine Expenditures and Targets

Traditional medicine expenditures account for only about 5.4% of total Health Insurance Fund expenditures.

By 2030, the Traditional Medicine Development Program aims to increase this reimbursement rate.