Abstract
A social health insurance (SHI) program was implemented in Vietnam in 1992. Participation is compulsory for some groups, such as formal-sector workers and voluntary for other groups. In 2013, 68% of the total population was covered by SHI, with most enrollees from compulsory groups. Enrollment has remained low among persons whose enrollment is voluntary. As a result, households face financial risk due to high out-of-pocket payments for health care. The goal of this study is to identify willingness to pay (WTP) for the SHI scheme among persons whose enrollment is voluntary and to examine factors that influence their choice. Three hundred thirty-one uninsured persons from three districts and one city of Thua Thien Hue province were interviewed face to face using a structured questionnaire. Contingent valuation technique was used to assess the WTP among the study participants. Each individual was asked to choose the maximum premium they were willing to pay for a health insurance card per year with three copayment levels of 0, 10, and 20%. Seven premium levels were offered ranging from 0 to 900,000 Vietnamese Dong (VND) (42.12 USD). The mean WTP of respondents for each scenario was estimated. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to identify factors influencing WTP for SHI. The survey found that 73.1, 72.2, and 71.6%, respectively, for each copayment level, of the respondents would agree to participate in the SHI scheme and are willing to pay an annual premium of 578,926 VND (27.1 USD); 473,222 VND (22.1 USD); and 401,266 VND (18.8 USD) at the copayment levels of 0, 10, and 20%, respectively. The WTP for SHI is influenced by knowledge of SHI at all copayment levels (p value < 0.05). The more knowledge about SHI individuals have, the higher the WTP amount. Chronic disease was related to WTP only at a copayment level of 20% (p = 0.049). Enhanced awareness of the benefits of SHI among the population should contribute to expanding SHI coverage in Vietnam.
Highlights
A social health insurance (SHI) scheme was introduced in Vietnam in 1992 [1]
In 2014, for group 4 and 5, the premium was set at 4.5% of the minimum salary, about 621,000 Vietnamese Dong (VND) per person per year, or about 29.07 USD (1 USD = 21,363 VND)
This is consistent with the report of Aparnaa, et al The authors found that many Vietnamese people did not have a good understanding of the benefits of the insurance, nor of the limits of coverage and copayment policies
Summary
A social health insurance (SHI) scheme was introduced in Vietnam in 1992 [1]. The insured population is divided by the government into five groups depending on contributive responsibility to the SHI fund. In 2014, for group 4 and 5, the premium was set at 4.5% of the minimum salary, about 621,000 Vietnamese Dong (VND) per person per year, or about 29.07 USD (1 USD = 21,363 VND). The insurance goes into effect when the insured is provided with medical care at a health facility where he or she is registered or referred. A social health insurance (SHI) program was implemented in Vietnam in 1992. The goal of this study is to identify willingness to pay (WTP) for the SHI scheme among persons whose enrollment is voluntary and to examine factors that influence their choice
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
