Ministry of Health Issues Guidance on ARV Drug Payment via Health Insurance

The Ministry of Health has issued Official Dispatch No. 7677/BYT-PB to guide the implementation of payment for antiretroviral (ARV) drugs funded by Vietnam's Health Insurance for procurement packages during the 2024–2025 period.

The guidance outlines procedures for relevant units to process payments for ARV drugs funded by Health Insurance, specifically for procurement packages where suppliers have issued financial invoices to the Health Insurance Assessment and Multi-line Payment Center by February 28, 2025, as follows:

For ARV Drugs Used by Patients Until December 31, 2024

Vietnam Social Security and the Ministry of Finance will be responsible for settling the costs of ARV drugs used by patients up to December 31, 2024. They will make payments to suppliers and proceed with contract termination in accordance with regulations.

For ARV Drugs Used by Patients from January 1, 2025

Responsibilities of Vietnam Social Security (VSS) and the Ministry of Finance:

• Notify the remaining unpaid costs of ARV drugs to relevant social insurance agencies and suppliers by November 10, 2025, to facilitate reconciliation of payment data with health insurance-covered medical facilities.
• Direct provincial and municipal VSS offices to advance, settle, and finalize payments for ARV drugs used by insured patients from January 1, 2025, in accordance with legal regulations.

Responsibilities of Health Insurance-Covered Medical Facilities

Health Insurance-Covered Medical Facilities (HI-CMFs) have the responsibility to:

• Review and verify the quantities of ARV drugs imported, dispensed, and remaining in stock, and prepare a report on inventory status as of February 28, 2025.
• Conduct a physical inventory and prepare an Inventory Report by February 28, 2025.
• Reconcile the inventory report with the physical count and confirm the reconciled data with suppliers.
• Take full legal responsibility for the accuracy of the inventory data.

Complete the data confirmation process by November 15, 2025.

Payment Procedures and Invoice Adjustments

HI-CMFs must sign contract appendices with suppliers based on reconciled drug import data from January 1 to February 28, 2025. Proceed with payment for ARV drugs that have been imported but not yet paid for, based on actual inventory and with confirmation from VSS.

For ARV drugs for which suppliers have issued financial invoices to the Health Insurance Assessment and Multi-line Payment Center by February 28, 2025, suppliers are required to carry out procedures to adjust or replace electronic invoices, transferring them from the Health Insurance Assessment and Multi-line Payment Center to the respective health insurance-contracted medical facilities based on the consolidated allocation quantities.

Payments for ARV drugs used by patients from January 1, 2025, funded by the Health Insurance Fund, must be processed by contracted HI-CMFs in accordance with current regulations (similar to the payment process for other medications). HI-CMFs are also responsible for reimbursing suppliers for any losses, damages, or expired drugs caused by the facility, in accordance with applicable regulations.