Joint Circular No. 17/2006/TTLT/BLDTBXH-BTC-BYT guides the health care regime for persons who have rendered meritorious service to the revolution.

JOINT CIRCULAR

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

_______________________________

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 1:

HEALTH INSURANCE REGIME

The health insurance (HIS) 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 who were engaged in revolutionary activities before January 1, 1945;

- Persons who were 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 enjoying benefits equivalent to war invalids, war invalids type B, war veterans with reduced work capacity of 81% or more;

- Children aged 18 years or younger of: war invalids, persons enjoying benefits equivalent to war invalids, war invalids type B, war veterans with reduced work capacity of 81% or more, or over 18 years old if they continue to study or suffer from serious illness when the period of entitlement to HIS has expired 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 who participated in the resistance war for national liberation, defending the country, and performing international duties and were awarded the Order of Resistance War or the Medal of Resistance War by the State.

II. RIGHTS UNDER HEALTH INSURANCE

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

For persons who were engaged in revolutionary activities before January 1, 1945 and those who were 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 enjoying benefits equivalent to war invalids, war invalids type B, war veterans undergoing treatment for recurrent injuries or diseases at medical facilities designated by HIS, elderly persons aged 90 years or older: The Health Insurance Fund will pay 100% of the cost of services.

Part 2:

CARE REGIME

I. ELIGIBLE PERSONS

1. Annual Care

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

b) Persons who were 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 enjoying benefits equivalent to war invalids, war invalids type B (referred to collectively as war invalids), war veterans with reduced work capacity due to injury or illness of 81% or more living at home.

đ) Persons who assisted in the revolution and were awarded the Commemorative Medal "The Nation Honors Your Merit" or the Certificate "Contributed to the Country".

2. Care every five years

a) Fathers, mothers, wives, or husbands of martyrs, persons who raised martyrs;

b) National Hero of Armed Forces, National Hero of Labor in the Resistance War;

c) Persons who assisted in the revolution during the Resistance War;

d) Persons who participated in the resistance war and were exposed to toxic chemicals;

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

e) Persons who were engaged in revolutionary activities or resistance wars and 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: VND 1,000,000/person/time, including:

+ Breakfast and two main meals: VND 650,000

+ Nutritional supplements and common medications: VND 50,000

+ Other expenses (gifts, electricity and water charges for guesthouses, towels, soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, listening to current affairs, cultural performances, sightseeing, photography, newspapers, rehabilitation,...): VND 300,000.

During the concentrated care period, if sudden illness occurs, the person can be referred to the nearest hospital for treatment under the current HIS regime.

b) Care at home:

- One-time care.

- Care expense: 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 and prepare the list of eligible persons for care (Form No. 01-CSSK) according to the provisions of 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 expenses stipulated in point 1 Section II Part II of this Circular shall be implemented from January 1, 2007.

PART 3:

REGIME FOR GRANTING FUNDS TO PURCHASE ASSISTIVE DEVICES AND ORTHOPEDIC AIDS AND FUNCTION REHABILITATION

I. ELIGIBLE PERSONS

1. Recipients of funds to purchase assistive devices and orthopedic aids

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 Armed Forces, National Labor Hero during the resistance war;

e) War invalids;

g) Illness invalids;

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 Resistance Medal or the Resistance Commendation Medal;

k) Persons who have contributed to the revolution and have been awarded the "National Commendation" Commemorative Medal or the "Contributions to the Country" Certificate;

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

2. Recipients of function rehabilitation

a) War invalids;

b) Illness invalids;

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, ORTHOPEDIC AIDS AND FUNCTION REHABILITATION

1- Regime for granting funds to purchase assistive devices and orthopedic aids

Depending on the condition of disability or illness, persons who have made contributions to the revolutionary cause as stipulated in Point 1, Section I, Part III of this Circular shall be granted funds to purchase assistive devices and orthopedic aids 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 limbs:

- Persons with amputated legs shall 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 shall 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 install prosthetic legs, or those with short legs or deformed feet shall 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 shall be granted funds to purchase wheelchairs or similar 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 illness invalids with hemiplegia or quadriplegia will receive an additional 1,000,000 dong per year to purchase daily living aids.

- Persons with leg paralysis but still able to move independently shall 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 shall be granted 60,000 dong per year to purchase crutches and accessories.

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

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

2- Regime for function rehabilitation and reimbursement for accommodation and travel expenses when obtaining orthopedic aids:

a) Persons who have made contributions to the revolutionary cause as stipulated in Point 2, Section I, Part III of this Circular, when undergoing rehabilitation treatment according to the prescription of medical facilities, shall be entitled to:

- Reimbursement for travel expenses according to state-set prices for ordinary means of transportation such as buses, trains, and 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 period of treatment and training 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, and confirmation from the service provider recorded in the tracking book.

b) Persons who have made contributions to the revolutionary cause as stipulated in Section I, Part III of this Circular, when obtaining prosthetic legs, arms, ankle braces, corrective shoes, corrective sandals, dentures, or artificial eyes (collectively referred to as orthopedic aids), shall receive financial support twice a year, specifically as follows:

- Reimbursement for travel expenses according to state-set prices for ordinary means of transportation such as buses, trains, and ships from their place of residence to the nearest qualified medical facility providing orthopedic aids.

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

The reimbursement for travel expenses and accommodation subsidies will be implemented simultaneously in a single payment (must have valid tickets and confirmation from the service provider recorded in the tracking book).

III. PROCEDURES, PROCESS, MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES, AND DISTRIBUTION OF FUNDS

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

a) Persons who have made contributions to the revolutionary cause eligible for allowances for assistive devices and orthopedic aids:

- 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). If they are being cared for in units providing care for invalids and persons with meritorious service (hereinafter referred to as the Center), 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 Center:

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

- Hand over the tracking book transferred from the Department of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs to the beneficiary.

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

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

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

- Decide 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 Center.

- Establish 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) along 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 prepare a consolidated budget estimate (Form No. 07-CSSK) along 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) along with the budget estimate for preferential benefits for persons with meritorious service and submit it to the Bureau of War Invalids and Martyrs and Meritorious Persons 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 covered by the Department of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs and the Center 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 carried out 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 in line with 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 that meet professional technical requirements to receive services related to orthopedic treatment, functional rehabilitation, and assistive devices and orthopedic appliances.

Part 4:

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 Contributing to the Revolution.

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

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

Part 5:

IMPLEMENTATION

1. The People's Committees of provinces and centrally governed cities shall direct the organization and implementation of all contents stipulated 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 contributing to the revolution 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-BLDTBXH dated March 11, 1999, issued by the Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs guiding the implementation of the regime for providing assistance to war invalids, retired soldiers, and persons treated as war invalids; Joint Circular No. 17/2005/TTLT-BLDTBXH-BTC dated May 9, 2005, issued by the Joint Ministries of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs, and Finance guiding the implementation of the convalescence regime for persons contributing to the revolution; paragraph a, paragraph h point 6 Section I Part I and paragraph a 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, War Invalids and Social Affairs, the Ministry of Finance, and the Ministry of Health for consideration and resolution./.