Access of older persons to health insurance and health-care services in viet nam: current state and policy options

Abstract

In this paper, we show that health insurance and health-care services have been expanded in Viet Nam over the past decade and had the potential to reach various groups of older persons (defined as those aged 60 or more). Yet, a number of challenges still remain that greatly influence the current health-care system as regards affordability and adequate service provision. The most critical of these issues is that the most vulnerable groups among older persons have lower access rates and a greater financial burden (that is, out-of-pocket expenses). To deal with those issues, we suggest certain policy directions, including developing communal health systems and guaranteeing the financial sustainability of the health insurance fund by monitoring both service providers and users.