HO CHI MINH CITY – A leading public hospital in Ho Chi Minh City is grappling with a severe financial crisis that threatens its daily operations and the quality of patient care, as billions of Vietnamese Dong in health insurance reimbursements have been suspended by state auditors.
The hospital, a major healthcare provider in Vietnam's southern economic hub, is reportedly waiting on thousands of billions of Vietnamese Dong (VND), a sum equivalent to tens, if not hundreds, of millions of U.S. dollars. This massive shortfall in revenue stems from a complex and prolonged auditing process by Vietnam Social Security (VSS), the state agency that manages the country's national health insurance fund.
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| "For the years 2023 and 2024 alone, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health has noted that the Social Insurance agency has not yet reimbursed medical expenses that exceeded the approved budget for services covered by health insurance." |
According to reports, the VSS has "suspended" these payments pending a detailed review of the hospital's past claims. Such disputes typically arise from disagreements over the validity of medical procedures, the cost and necessity of prescribed drugs, and adherence to the complex billing codes set by the government. While audits are a standard procedure, the sheer scale and duration of this suspension have pushed the hospital into a precarious financial position.
Hospital administrators have warned that this liquidity crisis is crippling their ability to function effectively. The immediate consequences include:
Difficulties in Procuring Supplies: The hospital is struggling to pay suppliers, leading to potential shortages of essential medicines, medical consumables, and high-tech equipment required for complex treatments.
Impact on Staff: There are growing concerns about the hospital's ability to ensure timely payment of salaries for its thousands of doctors, nurses, and support staff, potentially leading to a decline in morale.
Delayed Upgrades and Maintenance: Critical plans to upgrade medical facilities and maintain existing equipment are being put on hold, which could affect the quality and safety of care in the long run.
The most significant risk, however, is the direct impact on patients. A financially strained hospital may be forced to delay non-emergency procedures or even ask patients to pay upfront for certain drugs and services that should be covered by their insurance, creating a significant burden on families.
This situation highlights a systemic challenge within Vietnam's public healthcare system. As demand for quality healthcare grows, public hospitals, which operate under tight budgets and serve the vast majority of the population, are increasingly feeling the financial strain. The complex reimbursement system between hospitals and the national insurance fund often leads to delays and disputes that leave the healthcare providers—and ultimately their patients—in a vulnerable position.
Officials from the hospital are reportedly in dialogue with the Ministry of Health and Vietnam Social Security to find an urgent resolution. However, until the funds are released, one of Ho Chi Minh City's key medical institutions remains in a state of financial uncertainty, with its staff and patients bearing the brunt of the bureaucratic deadlock.
