Joint Circular No. 17/2006/TTLT-BLDTBXH-BTC-BYT guiding the health care regime for persons with meritorious service to the revolution

JOINT CIRCULAR

Guidelines for health care benefits for persons who have rendered meritorious service to the revolution

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Pursuant to Decree No. 54/2006/NĐ-CP dated May 26, 2006 of the Government guiding the implementation of certain provisions of the Ordinance on preferential treatment for persons who have rendered meritorious service to the revolution;

The Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs - The Ministry of Finance - The Ministry of Health guide the implementation of Article 30 of Decree No. 54/2006/NĐ-CP dated May 26, 2006 of the Government as follows:

Part I:

HEALTH INSURANCE REGIME

The health insurance (HI) regime for persons who have rendered meritorious service to the revolution and their dependents shall be implemented according to the provisions of Circular Joint No. 21/2005/TTLT/BYT-BTC dated July 27, 2005 of the Joint Ministry of Health-Finance guiding the implementation of mandatory health insurance and shall be amended and supplemented with the following contents:

I. ELIGIBLE PERSONS FOR HEALTH INSURANCE

1. The subject specified in item a point 6 Section I Part I of Circular Joint No. 21/2005/TTLT/BYT-BTC shall be amended as follows:

- Persons engaged in revolutionary activities before January 1, 1945;

- Persons engaged in revolutionary activities from January 1, 1945 to before the August 19 Revolution in 1945.

2. The subject specified in item h point 6 Section I Part I of Circular Joint No. 21/2005/TTLT/BYT-BTC shall be amended as follows:

- Persons receiving disability pension for war invalids, persons treated as war invalids, class B war invalids, war invalids with reduced work capacity of 81% or more;

- Children of: war invalids, persons treated as war invalids, class B war invalids, war invalids with reduced work capacity of 81% or more under 18 years old or over 18 years old if they continue to study or suffer from serious illness when the period of health insurance benefit expires and still have reduced work capacity of 61% or more.

3. The subject specified in point 6 Section I Part I of Circular Joint No. 21/2005/TTLT/BYT-BTC shall be supplemented as follows:

Persons engaged in anti-war resistance to liberate the nation, defend the country, and perform international duties who have been awarded the National Resistance Medal or the National Resistance Badge by the State.

II. HEALTH INSURANCE BENEFITS

Amend item a point 3.2 Clause 3 Section I Part II of Circular Joint No. 21/2005/TTLT/BYT-BTC:

For persons engaged in revolutionary activities before January 1, 1945 and persons engaged in revolutionary activities from January 1, 1945 to before the August 19 Revolution in 1945, Mothers of Vietnam's Heroic Soldiers, war invalids, persons treated as war invalids, class B war invalids, war invalids undergoing treatment for recurrent injuries or diseases at medical facilities designated by health insurance, persons aged 90 years or older: The Health Insurance Fund will pay 100% of the cost of services.

Part II:

CARE REGIME

I. ELIGIBLE PERSONS

1. Annual Care

a) Persons engaged in revolutionary activities before January 1, 1945.

b) Persons engaged in revolutionary activities from January 1, 1945 to before the August 19 Revolution in 1945.

c) Mothers of Vietnam's Heroic Soldiers.

d) War invalids, persons treated as war invalids, class B war invalids (collectively referred to as war invalids), war invalids with reduced work capacity due to injury or illness of 81% or more living at home.

đ) Persons who have contributed to the revolution and have been awarded the "Nation Commends" Commemorative Medal or the "Contributed to the Country" Certificate by the State.

2. Five-yearly Rotational Care

a) Father, mother, wife, or husband of martyrs, persons who have raised martyrs;

b) People's Armed Forces Heroes, Heroes of Labor in the Resistance War;

c) Persons who have contributed to the revolution during the Resistance War;

d) Persons engaged in anti-war resistance who have been exposed to toxic chemicals;

đ) War invalids, war invalids with reduced work capacity due to injury or illness below 81% living at home;

e) Persons engaged in revolutionary activities, anti-war resistance who were captured and imprisoned by the enemy.

II. CARE REGIME

1. Care Methods

a) Care at care facilities:

- One-time care, maximum duration is 10 days (excluding travel time).

- Care expense level: VND 1,000,000/person/time, including:

+ Breakfast and two main meals: VND 650,000

+ Nutritional supplements and common medicines: VND 50,000

+ Other expenses (gifts, electricity and water charges for guesthouses, towels, soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, news, cultural programs, sightseeing, photography, newspapers, rehabilitation,...): VND 300,000.

During concentrated care, if sudden illness occurs, the person can be referred to the nearest hospital for treatment according to the current health insurance regime.

b) Care at home:

- One-time care.

- Care expense level VND 700,000/person/time.

2. Implementation

a) Annually, based on the budget for preferential treatment for persons who have rendered meritorious service and the actual number of eligible persons for care in each locality, the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs shall coordinate with the Ministry of Finance to allocate funds at the beginning of the year for the Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs to determine the number of eligible persons for care and compile a list of eligible persons for care (Form No. 01-CSSK) in accordance with Section I Part II of this Circular.

b) Care shall mainly be carried out at care facilities and at home; depending on the condition of injury, illness, and health of the eligible persons, the Director of the Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs shall decide the appropriate number of home care sessions (Forms No. 02a, 02b-CSSK). The Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs shall cooperate with the Department of Health to conduct health examinations for eligible persons for home care.

c) The expenditure levels stipulated in point 1 Section II Part II of this Circular shall take effect from January 1, 2007.

PART III:

REGIME FOR GRANTING FUNDS TO PURCHASE ASSISTIVE DEVICES AND ORTHOTIC EQUIPMENT AND FUNCTION REHABILITATION

I. ELIGIBLE PERSONS

1. Recipients eligible for funds to purchase assistive devices and orthotic equipment

a) Persons who were engaged in revolutionary activities before January 1, 1945;

b) Persons who participated in the revolutionary movement from January 1, 1945 to before the August 19 Revolution in 1945;

c) Dependents of martyrs receiving monthly allowances;

d) Mothers of Vietnam's Heroic People;

đ) National Hero of the People's Armed Forces, Hero of Labor during the Resistance War;

e) War Invalids;

g) Veterans with disabilities;

h) Persons participating in the resistance war exposed to toxic chemicals and currently receiving monthly allowances;

i) Persons who were captured and imprisoned by the enemy during the revolutionary and resistance movements and have been awarded the Order of Resistance or the Medal of Resistance by the State;

k) Persons who have contributed to the revolution and have been awarded the Commemorative Medal "The Nation Honors Your Merit" or "Certificate of Merit to the Country";

l) Children born with deformities or disabilities of persons who participated in the resistance war and were exposed to toxic chemicals.

2. Recipients eligible for function rehabilitation

a) War invalids;

b) Veterans with disabilities;

c) Persons participating in the resistance war exposed to toxic chemicals and currently receiving monthly allowances.

II. REGIME FOR GRANTING FUNDS TO PURCHASE ASSISTIVE DEVICES, ORTHOTIC EQUIPMENT AND FUNCTION REHABILITATION

1- Regime for granting funds to purchase assistive devices and orthotic equipment

Depending on the status of disability or illness, persons who have made contributions to the revolution as stipulated in point 1, section I, part III of this Circular shall be granted funds to purchase assistive devices and orthotic equipment according to the prescription of orthopedic and functional rehabilitation facilities under the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs or provincial hospitals and above (referred to as medical facilities) as follows:

a) Regime for persons with amputated legs or arms:

- Persons with amputated legs will be granted funds to purchase prosthetic legs for use over three years (if residing in mountainous or highland areas, for two years); they will also receive an additional 170,000 dong per year to purchase accessories.

- Persons with amputated arms will be granted funds to purchase prosthetic arms for use over three years; they will also receive an additional 60,000 dong per year to purchase accessories.

- Persons missing both feet or half a foot without the ability to use prosthetic legs, or those with short legs or deformed feet will be granted funds to purchase corrective shoes or corrective sandals for use over one year.

b) Persons with paralysis:

- Persons with hemiplegia, paraplegia, quadriplegia, or double leg amputation without the ability to move independently will be granted funds to purchase wheelchairs or other mobility aids for use over four years; additionally, they will receive 300,000 dong per year for maintenance of the equipment.

Specifically, war invalids and veterans with hemiplegia or quadriplegia will receive an additional 1,000,000 dong per year to purchase items for daily living.

- Persons with leg paralysis but still able to move independently will be granted funds to purchase ankle braces for use over two years; they will also receive 30,000 dong per year to purchase corrective shoes or sandals and an additional 60,000 dong per year for accessories.

c) Persons with knee stiffness will be granted 60,000 dong per year to purchase crutches and accessories.

d) War invalids and veterans with hearing loss due to injury or illness (based on medical examination reports and prescriptions from provincial hospitals and above) will receive 200,000 dong per year to purchase hearing aids.

e) War invalids with broken teeth or damaged jaws due to injury (based on medical examination reports and prescriptions from provincial hospitals and above) will be granted funds once every five years to purchase dentures or false jaws at a rate of 1,000,000 dong per tooth.

g) War invalids and veterans with eye damage due to injury or illness (based on medical examination reports and prescriptions from provincial hospitals and above) will have their costs for artificial eyes covered by the Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs based on actual receipts from the treatment facility; they will also receive 100,000 dong per year to purchase sunglasses and walking sticks.

h) War invalids and veterans with mental disorders will receive an additional 1,000,000 dong per year to purchase items for daily living (this amount will not be duplicated if they are also war invalids or veterans with hemiplegia or quadriplegia).

2- Regime for function rehabilitation and reimbursement for accommodation and travel expenses when obtaining orthotic equipment:

a) Persons who have made contributions to the revolution as stipulated in point 2, section I, part III of this Circular, when undergoing rehabilitation treatment according to the prescription of medical facilities, will be entitled to:

- Reimbursement for travel expenses according to state regulations for ordinary means of transportation such as buses, trains, or ships from their place of residence to the nearest qualified orthopedic and functional rehabilitation facility.

- Subsidies for meals at a rate of 30,000 dong per day during the treatment and training period at the orthopedic and functional rehabilitation facility.

The reimbursement for travel expenses and meal subsidies will only be implemented if there are valid tickets and discharge certificates confirmed by the rehabilitation service provider in the tracking book.

b) Persons who have made contributions to the revolution as stipulated in section I, part III of this Circular, when obtaining prosthetic limbs, orthotic braces, corrective shoes, corrective sandals, dentures, or artificial eyes (collectively referred to as orthotic equipment), will receive financial support twice a year, specifically:

- Reimbursement for travel expenses according to state regulations for ordinary means of transportation such as buses, trains, or ships from their place of residence to the nearest qualified medical facility providing orthotic equipment.

- Subsidies for accommodation at a rate of 30,000 dong per day (maximum of five days per trip, including travel time) when obtaining orthotic equipment.

The reimbursement for travel expenses and accommodation subsidies will be processed simultaneously in one payment (must have valid tickets and confirmation from the orthotic equipment provider in the tracking book).

III. PROCEDURES, MANAGEMENT PROCESS, RESPONSIBILITIES FOR ISSUANCE OF FUNDS

1. Procedures for issuing and replacing the Tracking Book for Allowances for Assistive Devices and Orthotic Equipment (referred to as the Tracking Book):

a) Persons who have made contributions to the revolution eligible for allowances for assistive devices and orthotic equipment:

- The person designated to use assistive devices and orthopedic appliances for the first time shall submit an application form (Form No. 03-CSSK) along with the medical facility's prescription. In cases where they are residing in the locality, the People's Committee of the commune shall certify the application form and forward all relevant documents to the Department of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs, or the Department of Internal Affairs and Labor-Social Welfare at the district level (hereinafter referred to as the Department of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs). In cases where they are being cared for in units providing care for war invalids and persons with meritorious service (hereinafter referred to as Centers), the Director of the Center shall certify this application form.

- For those who have been issued a tracking book according to the old model, the Department of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs at their place of residence or the Center shall handle the procedures to report to the Department of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs for the issuance of a new tracking book.

b) The Department of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs and the Centers:

- Verify and cross-check the payment list; compile a list of revolutionary meritorious persons receiving assistive devices and orthopedic appliances (Form No. 04-CSSK, hereinafter referred to as the list) along with the declaration form, medical prescription, and old tracking book and send them to the Department of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs.

- Deliver the tracking book transferred from the Department of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs to the beneficiaries.

- Maintain a management record of revolutionary meritorious persons receiving assistive devices and orthopedic appliances (Form No. 05-CSSK, hereinafter referred to as the Management Record).

c) The Department of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs:

- Review and cross-check the files under management to examine the list.

- Issue a decision on the provision of assistive devices and orthopedic appliances (Forms No. 06a, 06b-CSSK) and issue a tracking book (Form No. 07-CSSK) to be sent back to the Department of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs and the Centers.

- Open a management record (Form No. 05-CSSK).

2. Procedures and responsibilities for managing and disbursing funds:

a) The Department of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs, and Centers under the Department of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs shall annually compile a list (Form No. 04-CSSK) together with the budget estimate for preferential benefits for persons with meritorious service and submit it to the Department of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs as prescribed.

b) The Department of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs shall compile a consolidated budget estimate (Form No. 07-CSSK) together with the local budget estimate for preferential benefits for persons with meritorious service; implement disbursement, management, settlement, and finalization according to Circular No. 84/2005/TTLT/BTC-BLDTBXH dated September 23, 2005, jointly issued by the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs.

c) Centers directly under the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs shall annually compile a list (Form No. 04-CSSK) together with the budget estimate for preferential benefits for persons with meritorious service and submit it to the Bureau of War Invalids and Martyrs and Persons with Meritorious Service for consolidation into the Ministry's budget estimate and implement disbursement, management, settlement, and finalization as prescribed.

3. Expenses incurred for organizing the issuance and replacement of tracking books; funding for purchasing assistive devices and orthopedic appliances shall be disbursed by the Department of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs and the Centers according to current regulations.

The provision of assistance for purchasing assistive devices and orthopedic appliances and supplementary items for the entire usage period shall be implemented in one go.

4. The amount of assistance for assistive devices and orthopedic appliances is specified in the attached annex.

During implementation, if there are fluctuations in prices, the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs shall consult with the Ministry of Finance to make appropriate adjustments to reflect reality.

5. The Department of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs shall coordinate with the Department of Health and the Department of Finance to guide the implementation of funding for purchasing assistive devices and orthopedic appliances; simultaneously coordinate with local health authorities to guide persons with meritorious service to nearby medical facilities meeting the necessary technical qualifications to receive services related to orthopedic treatment, functional recovery, and assistive devices and orthopedic appliances.

PART VI:

SOURCES OF FUNDS FOR IMPLEMENTATION

1. The funds for implementing the regime prescribed in this Circular shall be guaranteed from the central budget from the source of funds for implementing the Ordinance on Preferential Treatment for Persons with Meritorious Service in the Revolution.

2. The costs for transportation and other expenses (if any) for concentrated convalescence shall be covered by the local budget from the sources allocated annually for social security.

3. The issuance, use, and settlement of funds for implementation shall be carried out in accordance with the current regulations of the State.

PART V:

IMPLEMENTATION

1. The People's Committees of provinces and centrally governed cities shall direct the organization and implementation of all contents prescribed in this Circular.

2. The Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Public Security shall provide guidance and prepare budgets for implementing the allowance regime for assistive devices, orthopedic equipment, and functional recovery as prescribed in this Circular for persons with meritorious service under their management.

3. This Circular shall take effect fifteen days from the date of publication in the Official Gazette and shall replace Circular No. 07/1999/TT-BLĐTBXH dated March 11, 1999, issued by the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs guiding the implementation of the supply regime for war invalids, war pensioners, and persons receiving benefits equivalent to war invalids; Joint Circular No. 17/2005/TTLT/BLĐTBXH-BTC dated May 9, 2005, issued by the Joint Ministries of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs and Finance guiding the implementation of the convalescence regime for persons with meritorious service in the revolution; paragraph a and paragraph h of point 6, Section I, Part I and paragraph a of point 3.2, Clause 3, Section I, Part II of Joint Circular No. 21/2005/TTLT/BYT-BTC dated July 27, 2005, issued by the Joint Ministries of Health and Finance guiding the implementation of mandatory health insurance.

Any difficulties encountered during implementation should be promptly reported to the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs, the Ministry of Finance, and the Ministry of Health for consideration and resolution./.