Joint Circular No. 22/2003/TTLT-BQP-BLDTBXH-BYT-BTC guiding Decree No. 63/2002/NĐ-CP on medical examination and treatment for officers' dependents serving in the military, issued by the Ministry of National Defense, the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs, the Ministry of Health, and the Ministry of Finance.

JOINT CIRCULAR

JOINT CIRCULAR NO. 22/2003/TTLT-BQP-BLDTBXH-BYT-BTC OF THE MINISTRIES OF NATIONAL DEFENSE, LABOUR, INVALIDS AND SOCIAL AFFAIRS, HEALTH, AND FINANCE DATED MARCH 12, 2003 GUIDING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF GOVERNMENT DECREE NO. 63/2002/NĐ-CP DATED JUNE 18, 2002 ON MEDICAL EXAMINATION AND TREATMENT FOR RELATIVES OF ACTIVE-DUTY OFFICERS

Implementing Government Decree No. 63/2002/NĐ-CP dated June 18, 2002 on medical examination and treatment for relatives of active-duty officers, the Joint Ministries of National Defense, Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, Health, and Finance guide implementation as follows:

I-OBJECTS AND CONDITIONS:

1-Objects and conditions for application:

Relatives of active-duty officers (hereinafter referred to as relatives of officers) who do not have health insurance (BHYT) shall be entitled to medical examination and treatment under the provisions set forth in Government Decree No. 63/2002/NĐ-CP dated June 18, 2002, including:

a) Parents, parents-in-law of officers; adopted parents, legal guardians as provided by law of the wife and husband of officers;

b) Wife or husband of officers:

c) Biological children, adopted children (as provided by law) of officers under 18 years old, or children aged 18 or older but disabled and unable to work.

2-Cases not applicable:

a) Relatives of officers as stipulated at point a, b, Clause 1, Section 1 above who already have health insurance (BHYT) under one of the following circumstances:

- Civil servants, public officials, employees, and members of the armed forces receiving salaries from the state budget;

- People working in elected bodies;

- Village-level cadres, ward-level cadres, town-level cadres (collectively referred to as village-level cadres) receiving monthly living allowances;

- People with meritorious service to the revolution currently enjoying preferential benefits as prescribed in Government Decree No. 28/CP dated April 29, 1995, including: people who were engaged in revolutionary activities before August 1945; wives (or husbands), biological parents, and children of martyrs currently receiving monthly allowances; Heroes of the People's Armed Forces, Heroes of Labor, Mothers of Vietnam, disabled persons treated as war invalids, disabled veterans with a disability rate of 61% or higher; people who participated in revolutionary activities or anti-enemy resistance and were captured and imprisoned by the enemy; people who helped the revolution and are currently receiving monthly allowances; people receiving allowances for serving and their first and second children under 18 years old of disabled veterans with a disability rate of 81% or higher.

- People working in state-owned enterprises, including enterprises under the armed forces; economic organizations under administrative agencies, Party organs, political-social organizations, foreign-invested enterprises; export processing zones, industrial parks; international organizations in Vietnam; non-state economic units purchasing health insurance cards for many workers;

- People currently enjoying retirement benefits, disability benefits, accident compensation, occupational disease compensation, and monthly allowances for rubber plantation workers;

- People currently enjoying social assistance and other individuals who have been issued health insurance cards.

b) Biological children, adopted children (as provided by law) of officers aged 18 or older who are not disabled and unable to work.

II-HEALTH INSURANCE CONTRIBUTION LEVELS AND BENEFITS:

1-Health insurance contribution levels:

The health insurance contribution level for one relative of an officer as stipulated in Clause 1, Section 1 of this Circular is equal to 3% of the minimum wage at the time of purchasing the health insurance card, guaranteed by the Ministry of National Defense from the state budget.

2-Benefits:

a) Relatives of officers meeting the conditions for health insurance as stipulated above may choose to register for initial medical examination and treatment at one of the civilian, military hospitals, and other healthcare facilities that have signed contracts for medical examination and treatment with the social insurance agency (BHXH) within the area where the relative resides.

Relatives of officers can change their registration for initial medical examination and treatment at the end of each quarter according to the regulations of the local social insurance agency.

Relatives of officers holding health insurance cards enjoy health insurance benefits when undergoing medical examination and treatment according to the laws on health insurance.

b) Health insurance cards are issued at the end of the previous year and are valid for one year; supplementary cards issued mid-year are valid for six months. In cases where one person is a relative of multiple officers, only one health insurance card will be issued.

c) One hundred percent of medical examination and treatment costs according to hospital fees will be covered by social insurance (health insurance).

d) Relatives of officers as stipulated in Clause 1, Section 1 of this Circular will cease to enjoy health insurance benefits from the following year when the officer ceases to serve on active duty or is no longer an active-duty officer.

III-FILES, PROCEDURES, AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF INDIVIDUALS, ORGANIZATIONS, AND LOCAL AUTHORITIES IN MANAGING, REGISTERING FOR MEDICAL EXAMINATION AND TREATMENT, AND ISSUING HEALTH INSURANCE CARDS

1-Basis for issuing health insurance cards.

- A declaration about eligible relatives for health insurance by the officer, confirmed by the head of a brigade-level unit or higher.

- "Certificate of eligibility for health insurance benefits for relatives of officers (as stipulated in Section 1 of this Circular) issued by the unit managing the officer according to the provisions of Clause 3, Section 1 of this Circular." 2-Procedures for registering for medical examination and treatment and issuing health insurance cards.

- Individual officers prepare declarations about the situation of eligible relatives for health insurance benefits; register the area for medical examination and treatment for relatives according to the provisions of this Circular.

- Division-level units, provincial/municipal military command offices (referred to as provincial military command offices), brigade-level units, independent regiment-level units, and equivalent units base on lists of eligible relatives of officers for health insurance benefits issue "Certificates of eligibility for health insurance benefits for relatives of officers" to each relative of the officer for the officer to transfer to the relative.

- Relatives of officers upon receipt of the "Certificate of eligibility for health insurance benefits for relatives of officers" sent by the officer submit it to the provincial military command office of the commune to compile a list to report to the provincial military command office of the district. The provincial military command office of the district compiles the number of eligible relatives of officers in communes, signs contracts with the social insurance office of the district, purchases health insurance cards, and hands them over to the provincial military command office of the commune to issue to relatives of officers." 3-Responsibilities of individuals, organizations, and local authorities in managing and registering for medical examination and treatment for relatives of officers.

a) For officers and relatives of officers:" of officers sent back to be submitted to the People's Militia Regiment of the Commune for compiling a list to report to the People's Militia Regiment of the district (referred to as the district). The People's Militia Regiment of the district compiles the number of family members of officers from communes, signs a contract with the Social Insurance of the district, purchases health insurance cards, and hands over the cards to the People's Militia Regiment of the commune to issue to the family members of officers.

3- Individual, agency, unit, and local responsibilities in managing and registering medical examinations and treatments for the family members of officers.

a) For officers and family members of officers:

- An officer shall fill out the initial declaration form, register the medical examination and treatment facility for eligible dependents to enjoy the health insurance regime (Form No. 01); transfer the "Health Insurance Benefit Certificate" issued by the unit to the dependent for submission to the People's Military Committee of the commune." provided by the unit for the family member to submit to the People's Militia Regiment of the Commune.

In cases where a dependent has multiple serving officers, the following provisions shall apply:

+ If the dependent has multiple children who are officers, the child with whom the dependent resides shall be responsible for obtaining and transferring the "Health Insurance Benefit Certificate" to the dependent; if they do not reside together, the order shall be: son, daughter, daughter-in-law, son-in-law; if there are two or more children who are officers at the same rank, the eldest child shall obtain and transfer the certificate to the dependent." given to the family member; if not living together, then in the following order: son, daughter, daughter-in-law, son-in-law; if there are two or more sons who are officers at the same rank or higher, the eldest son at that rank will be issued and transferred to the family member.

+ If both the father and mother are officers, the mother shall obtain the "Health Insurance Benefit Certificate" and transfer it to the child.

In cases where it is not possible to follow the above order, the person with the most favorable conditions shall obtain the "Health Insurance Benefit Certificate" to transfer to the dependent and must submit a written explanation of the reasons and have it confirmed by the Head of the Unit before being resolved." to transfer to the family member must submit a request detailing the reasons and have it confirmed by the Head of the Unit before it can be processed.

- Officers shall report to their directly managing unit every six months on the situation of movement and change of dependents enjoying the health insurance regime (if applicable); reflect to the unit on the receipt of health insurance cards, medical examinations, and treatments of dependents in the locality;

- Shall be held legally accountable for the truthfulness of the declaration form regarding the situation of dependents enjoying the health insurance regime.

b) For units managing officers

- The Head of the Regiment-level unit and equivalent:

+ Propagate and guide officers to fill out the declaration form and register the medical examination and treatment area for dependents according to the provisions of this Circular;

+ Confirm the declaration form of officers regarding dependents enjoying the health insurance regime (Form No. 01) and bear legal responsibility for the accuracy of such confirmation;

+ Compile a list of officers' dependents eligible for the health insurance regime (Form No. 02);

+ Aggregate the number of individuals meeting the eligibility criteria for the health insurance regime, classify them by area (Form No. 03), and report to the directly superior unit;

- Division, Provincial People's Military Committee, Regiment, Independent Brigade, and equivalent:

+ Collect lists of officers' dependents enjoying the health insurance regime reported by subordinate units;

+ Aggregate the number of individuals, classify them by area (Form No. 03), and report to the Military Region, Army Corps, General Staff, Military Academy, Service, etc. (collectively referred to as subordinate units under the Ministry of National Defense);

+ Issue the "Health Insurance Benefit Certificate" to officers' dependents eligible for the health insurance regime once a year according to regulations (Form No. 04);

- Units under the Ministry of National Defense:

+ Direct and implement management, registration for medical examinations and treatments according to the provisions of this Circular;

+ Aggregate the number of individuals, classify them by area (Form No. 03), and report to the Ministry of National Defense (through the Policy Department);

+ Direct local units under its authority to issue the "Health Insurance Benefit Certificate";"receive and issue health insurance cards to officers' dependents; settle the health insurance fund according to regulations.

c) For the People's Military Committee of the district

- Collect lists of officers' dependents reported by commune-level units, attach the "Health Insurance Benefit Certificate," aggregate the number of individuals, and contract with the district Social Security Office to purchase health insurance cards, then hand over to the People's Military Committee of the commune for issuance to officers' dependents.

- Settle the health insurance fund with the higher-level financial authority according to regulations.

- Coordinate with the local Social Security Office, medical examination and treatment facilities to monitor, inspect, and resolve issues related to the receipt, issuance of health insurance cards, and health insurance benefits of officers' dependents when seeking medical care.

In addition to the above responsibilities, the People's Military Committee of the district shall perform tasks similar to those of regiment-level units managing officers.

d) For the People's Military Committee of the commune:

- Collect "Health Insurance Benefit Certificates" sent back by officers to their dependents.

- Handle cases where subordinate units issue duplicate or mistaken certificates, ensuring that each dependent receives only one health insurance card.

- Compile a list of officers' dependents enjoying the health insurance regime and report to the People's Military Committee of the district (Form No. 05); receive and issue health insurance cards to officers' dependents.

đ) For functional agencies under the Ministry of National Defense:

- Cadre Department:

Direct cadre agencies at all levels to confirm the status of officers and their dependents based on the officers' files.

- Policy Department:

+ Direct and guide subordinate units under the Ministry of National Defense to implement registration for medical examinations and treatments, receipt, and issuance of health insurance cards to officers' dependents;

+ Aggregate the number of officers' dependents eligible for the health insurance regime, classify them by place of residence, report to the Ministry of National Defense for approval; coordinate with the Financial Department of the Ministry of National Defense to prepare budgets and allocate funds for units, and settle the health insurance fund according to regulations;

+ Take the lead and coordinate with relevant agencies to manage, inspect, and supervise the registration for medical examinations and treatments, receipt, and issuance of health insurance cards to serving officers' dependents.

- Finance Department:

+ Take the lead and coordinate with the Policy Department to prepare budgets, promptly notify health insurance funds to units; settle the health insurance fund for officers' dependents with the Ministry of Finance according to regulations;

+ Coordinate to inspect and monitor the receipt and issuance of health insurance cards, use of funds for officers' dependents.

- Military Health Service:

Direct military medical facilities to register for medical examinations and treatments according to the health insurance regime and comply with relevant laws on health insurance.

c) For medical examination and treatment facilities under the health insurance regime:

- Receive and register for medical examinations and treatments for officers' dependents holding health insurance cards.

- Ensure fairness and equality for all patients treated at the facility according to laws on health insurance.

IV- IMPLEMENTATION

1- Ministry of National Defense:

- Direct and oversee the management, registration for medical examinations and treatments for officers' dependents;

- Direct local military agencies to timely and accurately receive and issue health insurance cards to officers' dependents;

- Manage the funding source for implementing health insurance for officers' dependents provided by the State and settle accounts with the Ministry of Finance according to regulations.

2- Ministry of Finance:

Based on the approved budget estimate of the Ministry of National Defense, the Ministry of Finance shall ensure funding for the implementation of the health insurance regime for officers' dependents and manage the budget according to legal regulations.

3- Ministry of Health:

Direct medical examination and treatment facilities to provide services for officers' dependents in accordance with laws on health insurance.

4- Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs:

Coordinate with relevant ministries and sectors to inspect the implementation of health insurance for officers' dependents.

5- For the Vietnam Social Security agency:

Direct provincial social security agencies to guide county-level social security agencies:

- Provide information on medical examination and treatment facilities under the health insurance scheme;

- Receive lists and quantities of officers' dependents entitled to health insurance benefits, sign contracts, and issue health insurance cards to county People's Committee for distribution to officers' dependents.

- Collaborate with local military authorities and medical examination and treatment facilities to resolve issues related to issuing health insurance cards and providing medical services to officers' dependents.

- Ensure full payment of medical examination and treatment costs according to hospital fees for officers' dependents holding health insurance cards to medical examination and treatment facilities.

6- Timeframe for registering for medical examination and treatment and issuing health insurance cards for officers' dependents:

- Officers complete registration forms for medical examination and treatment for their dependents for the following year in September of the current year; update dependents entitled to health insurance benefits in March each year;

- Dependents of officers receive health insurance cards in December of the current year and enjoy medical examination and treatment benefits from January of the following year; newly added dependents receive cards in June and enjoy benefits from July of the same year;

7- Funding for the health insurance benefit scheme for officers' dependents is provided from the state budget within the annual budget of the Ministry of National Defense, including health insurance premiums and administrative fees.

Administrative fees for organizing and implementing registration for medical examination and treatment and issuance of health insurance cards for officers' dependents (including publicity, implementation, printing of forms, compiling lists, reviewing, receiving and issuing health insurance cards to individual dependents) amount to 2% of the total health insurance premium paid for officers' dependents.

8- Any acts of false declaration or incorrect certification by officers, unit commanders, or local authorities during the implementation of this Circular shall be subject to administrative responsibility, disciplinary action, or criminal liability and compensation for damages as prescribed.

9- This Circular takes effect fifteen days after its publication in the Official Gazette.

In case of difficulties during implementation, agencies, units, and localities should report them to the Joint Ministries for consideration and resolution.