Are you an expat living and teaching English in Vietnam? If yes, this article is made just for you! Scroll down and read to know about health insurance in Vietnam and what health package is the best for you.
Vietnam is a popular destination for immigrants, expats and digital nomads. The cost of living is low and finding a job is relatively easy. Vietnam was proved to be one of the fastest growing economies in the world with an estimated GDP growth rate of 6.7% (in 2015). However, the standard for healthcare in Vietnam still needs lots of improvement.
While the country is currently working towards universal health coverage, standards in public facilities still remain low. However, there are encouraging signs of improvement. According to the WHO (World Health Organization), more than 97% of Vietnamese children receive standard vaccinations, one of the highest rates in the world.
For prospective expats considering relocation, here’s what you need to know about health insurance in Vietnam for foreigners and expats.
An Overview of Health Insurance in Vietnam
The healthcare system in Vietnam has gone through a thorough transformation since the year 2014. Thanks to the fact that Vietnamese authorities has been pushing for universal healthcare, and consequently over 80% of residents in Vietnam have now been able to enjoy healthcare.
Nowadays, the healthcare service is available in both public and private facilities. Public centers are the most common, and that they mainly focus on 4 distinct ranges of service: central, provincial, district, and commune.
Each of these levels has a two-pronged system that specialize in prevention – much like the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) like that in the US – and medical acute care (short-term treatment for a serious injury or episode of illness).
Funding Sources
Although previously reliant entirely on tax, this system now has 3 types of funding:
- Government revenue – This typically comes from infrastructure improvement and recurrent spending (in particular on the provincial degree)
- Social medical insurance contributions
- Out-of-pocket payments
Types of Coverage
To ensure more people have access to this care, there are two types of health care in Vietnam, both administered by the Vietnamese Social Security (VSS):
Compulsory Social Security Coverage: This applies to all permanent employees. Contracts longer than three months plus several other categories including children under six, financially unstable individuals, students, over 90s and war veterans.
Voluntary health insurance: This applies to all people who are not covered by the compulsory scheme, such as self-employed and informal workers. The contribution rates for compulsory health insurance are 4.5% of income, with the employer paying 3% and 1.5% will be paid by the employee.
Types of Health Insurance in Vietnam
Private Health Insurance in Vietnam
There are many insurers offering full-service private health insurance. More international providers are entering the country every year, mostly through a partnership with a general insurer. Other providers are changing their focus to Southeast Asia, although they may not have physical offices here. Local suppliers focus their efforts on Vietnamese citizens, although their products are often available to expats as well.
We think of private insurers in these three broad categories: Local Focus Southeast, Asia Regional Focus and International Focus.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance offers limited benefits for relatively short periods of time, but offers a wide range of coverage. The benefits offered are much less robust than health insurance:
- Low annual benefit limits, many exclusions
- No coverage for pre-existing condition, mandatory deductibles, no direct billing
But for healthy people with a high risk tolerance, vacation travel insurance can be a good option, providing access to basic medical care so travelers can continue their trip or return home.
Life Insurance Combined with Health Insurance
You can also obtain health insurance in Vietnam through a life insurance company. These are mainly international life insurance brands that have established a branch in Vietnam to offer packages of life investment and life insurance. Health insurance is often available as an add-on product. But you can’t buy a separate health insurance plan from a life insurance company, so that’s not an option unless you’re looking for a suite of products.
This is a popular option for local Vietnamese citizens looking for a one-stop all-in-one solution. Life insurance companies in Vietnam include: AIA, Manulife, Generali, Prudential, Chubb, Daiichi, etc.
Do You Need Insurance in Vietnam?
In total, 87.7% of Vietnam’s population (83.6 million citizens) are being able to enjoy health insurance.
To enjoy Vietnamese healthcare facilities, all expats have to contribute to the compulsory health insurance attempt. However, you’ll realize that compulsory health insurance doesn’t offer you with enough cover, therefore you may be tempted to require out some private health insurance too.
Overall, 7% of the Vietnamese population invests in private medical insurance.
If you’d wish to decide what proportion medical insurance will cost you and your family, please check out our list of suggested healthcare providers. From there, you’ll be able to request free quotes from whichever company suits your needs.
Popular Health Insurance Packages for Foreigners in Vietnam
1. Bao Viet An Gia Health Insurance
Key Features:
- Basic fee from only 32,000 VND/day
- Coverage for a wide range of territories throughout Vietnam
- Age range from 15 days to 60 years old (65 years old for continuous renewals from 55)
- Direct participation, no medical examination required
- Basic insurance benefits up to 454 million VND/person/year
- 5 different insurance plans: Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Diamond
- Optional additional benefits: accident, life, dental, maternity, and outpatient
- Network of 90+ international and public hospitals including Viet Phap, Vinmec
- Hospital fee guarantee available
- Fast compensation within 15 working days
Why Choose Bao Viet An Gia:
- Most prestigious insurance company in the market
- Relatively low fees
- Suitable for families with middle income
- Good for companies buying in bulk for mid-level employees
- Sufficient benefits for common diseases treatment
2. Bao Viet Intercare Health Insurance
Key Features:
- Basic fee of 27,000 VND/day
- Wide territorial coverage: Vietnam, Southeast Asia, Asia (except USA and Canada)
- No medical examination required
- Hospital fee guarantee for inpatient and outpatient care
- Insurance benefit limit up to 10 billion VND/year
- 150+ affiliated hospitals worldwide
- Emergency medical transportation and repatriation
- 100% insurance limit payment with no copay for children under 3
Why Choose Bao Viet Intercare:
- Prestigious Bao Viet company product
- High benefit limits for international hospital treatment
- Wide treatment coverage globally
- Easy access to home country medical facilities
- Recommended option for comprehensive coverage
3. Ultracare Health Insurance
Key Features:
- Very high benefit payment limits for serious diseases
- Global coverage for modern medical services
- Full cancer treatment coverage
- Emergency medical transportation globally
- Periodic health check-ups up to $1,000/year
- 24/7 Red Service emergency assistance
- Email compensation document acceptance
- Private clinic treatment coverage
Why Choose Ultracare:
- Cooperation between Baoviet Insurance and Aetna International
- Premium product with superior benefit limits
- Simplified claim procedures
- Free insurance for 2nd, 3rd, and 4th children under 18
4. Liberty Healthcare Premium Health Insurance
Key Features:
- Coverage for both illness and accident
- Medical treatment in Vietnam or abroad
- Global emergency assistance by International SOS
- Free periodic health checks and vaccination
- No treatment cost or hospital day limits
- Full surgery, cancer, ambulance, and organ transplant coverage
- Emergency transportation and repatriation
- No waiting time restrictions for special diseases
- Flexible options for hospital, outpatient, maternity, and dental care
Why Choose Liberty Healthcare:
- Long-established company with market reputation
- Free periodic health screenings for foreigners
- Comprehensive coverage without limitations
5. Pacific Cross Health Insurance – All America Program
Key Features:
- Affordable, universally covered medical care
- Freedom to choose doctors and hospitals
- Guaranteed renewal regardless of age or health condition
- Coverage for recreational sports and alternative medicine
- Wide hospital/clinic network with direct payments
- Basic, intermediate, and advanced package options
- Optional dental benefits
- Group insurance discounts up to 20%
- 24/7 emergency help service
Cost Considerations: Premium varies based on package level, coverage type, and insured’s age. Group discounts available with separate outpatient benefit charges.
Hopefully with this article about some popular insurance packages, VTJ could provide some valuable information to our teachers and employers!
