More than 1,950 medical services will have new price ceilings from May. — Photo suckhoedoisong.vn

HÀ NỘI — More than 1,950 medical services will have new price ceilings from May, Hải Quan (Customs) online newspaper reported.

It means the rate of many services will increase following the recent health ministry circular and directly affect patients who don’t have health insurance.

This circular is the latest attempt by the Government to encourage people to enroll for the State-sponsored health insurance programme.

Hospital fees incurred by patients without insurance will be raised to account for the hospital staff’s shift remuneration and salary, as well as for surgery fees and other medical procedures.

The circular’s provisions will apply to public medical centres.

According to the health ministry, 86.7 per cent of the population has enrolled in the health insurance programme, which means 13.3 per cent of the country is uninsured, most of whom have above average living standards. — VNS