Ho Chi Minh City plans to spend VND267.6bn ($10.5m) annually to provide 100% health insurance premium subsidies for approximately 196,000 residents aged 60 to 64, reported Vietnam.vn
The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health is finalising a draft proposal to fully subsidise health insurance for local residents aged 60 to 64 who are not covered by other support policies. The move will help approximately 196,000 permanent residents between the ages of 60 and 64, who currently have no access to quality healthcare.
The Ho Chi Minh City Social Security Agency has announced the preparation of a draft resolution by the City People's Committee for submission to the City People's Council, which if approved would cover 100% of annual health insurance premiums which currently is at VND1.36m per person per year. The total annual cost to the city's budget would be approximately VND267.6bn
Increasing demand for healthcare among the elderly
According to the draft law on the Elderly, citizens aged 60, in the first 10 months of 2026, the health insurance fund paid for approximately 1.3m medical examinations and treatments for people aged 60 to under 65, with a total cost of VND1,221 bn. Many people in this age group receive treatment for chronic diseases such as hypertension, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and dyslipidaemia.
Ho Chi Minh City hopes that the policy will help people aged 60 to under 65 maintain continuous health insurance coverage, including those who have already participated for 3-4 years and need an additional 1-2 years to reach 5 consecutive years.
The draft resolution will be submitted to the Ho Chi Minh City People's Council for consideration and decision. If approved, the policy is expected to take effect from 1 January 2027.