Health insurance suggested to cover assistive tools for the disabled
Health insurance policies for people with disabilities were discussed at a workshop in Hanoi on August 23 to attract policymakers’ attention to the neccessity for the health insurance to also cover payment for assistive tools and devices for the disabled.
People come to have their health insurance procedures handled at the Vietnam Social Security's branch of Tu Ky district, Hai Duong province (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – Health insurance policies for people with disabilities were discussed at a workshop in Hanoi onAugust 23 to attract policymakers’ attention to the neccessity for the health insurance to also coverpayment for assistive tools and devices for the disabled.
The event,co-held by the Health Stategy and Policy Institute, the Medical Services Administration and theInternational Centre, shared international experience in terms of costs andbenefits of providing assistive tools and devices to people with disabilities.
Healthcare andrehabilitation services for people with disabilities have been improved acrossthe country, said Assoc. Prof., Dr. Luong Ngoc Khue, head of the MedicalServices Administration.
Over 3 millionout of the 6.2 million peoplewith disabilities throughout the country have enjoyed free health insurance, he added.
Meanwhile, theremainders had to purchase health insurance and co-pay fees for medicalservices at their own cost, the official said, notingthat the assistive tools and devices for mobility aids, which are vital to thedisabled, are not covered by the health insurance.
Many peoplewith disabilities are living in poor conditions and limited access tohealthcare services. Families with a person with disabilities accounted for 55percent of the lowest-income population. Calculations on the basis of the 2016 multi-dimensional poverty approach show that households with disabledmembers are over two times morelikely to be living in poverty than those with none.
According tothe national survey on people with disabilities in 2016, about 92 percent of the people with disabilities were sick, injured orused medical services within a year before the time of survey, nearly 20percent higher than those without.
Some 15percent of disabled people struggle to walk without assistive devices. With anassistive device, the figure will drop to only 1.94 percent. Therefore, ifthese tools are covered by the health insurance, it would make a big change intheir life and help them more active in social activities. –VNA
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People come to have their health insurance procedures handled at the Vietnam Social Security's branch of Tu Ky district, Hai Duong province (Photo: VNA) 
