COVID-19 Testing Provided for Vulnerable Groups

According to regulations, COVID-19 testing costs are covered by two sources: the health insurance fund and the state budget. This initiative aims to promote testing at healthcare facilities. The following are the 5 groups of people eligible for COVID-19 testing:

• 
  
  
  
  
  

  Inpatients

  
  

• Outpatients who have undergone testing subsequent to receiving a determination for transfer to inpatient care.
• Professionals involved in the medical field, including medical officers, healthcare workers, and employees working in healthcare facilities.

• Accommodation is provided for up to two caregivers who have been accepted by the healthcare facility to stay.

• Foreign individuals who have successfully undergone the mandatory quarantine period in Vietnam, yet fall within the specified categories.

Individuals who do not have health insurance coverage, or carry health insurance cards that are not eligible for reimbursement by the health insurance fund, but belong to group 5 as referred to above, will have their expenses covered by the state budget.

Comparison of COVID-19 Test Prices and Types: Rapid Tests Cost More, PCR Tests Cheaper

At present, there are two methods available for COVID-19 testing:

• The detection of SARS-CoV-2 on immunoassay machines (rapid test) is subject to a service fee, as specified in the Appendix attached to Circular No. 13/2019 and Circular No. 14/2014 of the Ministry of Health. The fee for this service is 238,000 VND per sample.

• SARS-CoV-2 testing using the Real-time RT-PCR technique involves the collection of throat swab specimens from patients. Each testing sample is priced at 734,000 VND. This includes a charge of 117,800 VND/sample for specimen collection and preservation service, and a charge of 616,200 VND/sample for the actual testing process.

Increased Testing Frequency for Various Target Groups

The Ministry of Health has released a statement regarding the frequency of testing for specific target groups. According to the announcement:

• Healthcare staff, doctors, and healthcare facility workers will undergo regular testing every seven days.
• Upon the decision to transfer a patient from outpatient to inpatient care, immediate testing will be conducted.
• Patients receiving inpatient treatment will be required to undergo testing every seven days throughout the duration of their treatment.

• In the event that a COVID-19 case is identified within a treatment and quarantine area, all individuals present will be subject to mandatory testing.

• Caregivers of patients will undergo a single test under the following conditions: when the patient has received treatment for less than 7 days or 3 days.

• If the inpatient has been treated for three or seven days or more, the caregiver will be tested twice.

Reference: Ministry of Health (Last updated: July 26, 2021).

Thank you for reading the article above, which aims to provide you with important information about COVID-19 testing. It is crucial to prioritize your health and well-being during this ongoing pandemic. Please stay safe and take appropriate measures to protect yourself and others.