HCMC – The HCMC Department of Health has proposed the municipal government allow private hospitals treating Covid-19 patients to collect fees from on-demand services for these clients.
On September 22, the department proposed financial mechanisms for private hospitals treating those infected with the coronavirus, the local media reported.
Accordingly, the checkup and treatment fees and fees for beds and technical services would be paid by the State and patients would not be charged.
The costs for consumable supplies which have yet to be added to the costs for technical services and Covid antivirals, except for Remdesivir and Molnupiravir supplied by the HCMC Department of Health, will also be sourced from the State budget, but they will not be higher than the levels approved by Vietnam Social Security.
Hospitals should be allowed to charge on-demand services for patients if they agree on the costs and the costs must not exceed the levels that hospitals have registered with the Ministry of Health.
HCMC had earlier proposed allowing private hospitals in the city to offer Covid treatment services on demand and collect checkup and treatment fees.
On September 1, the Ministry of Finance, in a document sent to the Ministry of Health, stated that HCMC’s proposal was not in line with the Law on the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases.
Therefore, the Ministry of Finance asked the Ministry of Health to draw up and submit to the competent agencies regulations on Covid treatment at private facilities and their treatment fee collection.
On September 9, the Ministry of Health issued a statement on anti-Covid policy, including a financial mechanism for private hospitals providing Covid treatment services.
Accordingly, the State will pay Covid treatment fees. The payment levels will be decided by the people’s councils of cities and provinces but must not be higher than the highest levels applicable at provincial or municipal general hospitals or central hospitals in cities and provinces.
