SICK OR HOSPITALIZED? HOW DO YOU CLAIM YOUR HEALTH INSURANCE?

Getting sick or needing medical treatment is stressful enough. The last thing you want is to be confused about how to claim your health insurance.

Here is the basic process.

Step 1 — Receive medical treatment

Visit a legally recognized medical facility and receive the necessary examination or treatment.

Step 2 — Check whether cashless treatment is available

If the medical facility is part of your insurer’s cashless network, you may be able to use the direct billing service.

You normally need to present:
• Your health insurance card
• Your identification document
• Other documents when required, such as a driving licence or accident statement

The medical facility will submit the guarantee request to the insurer.

Step 3 — If cashless treatment is not available

You may need to pay the medical expenses first and then submit a reimbursement claim to the insurer.

Step 4 — Keep your documents

This is extremely important.

Keep your medical records, prescriptions, test results, invoices and detailed medical statements.

Step 5 — Submit your claim

Complete the claim form and submit the required documents within the deadline specified in your insurance contract.

A simple example:

You visit a hospital for an outpatient consultation and pay VND 2,000,000.

If the hospital is within the cashless network and your treatment is covered, the insurer may settle the eligible expenses directly with the hospital.

If cashless treatment is not available, you may pay the hospital first and then submit the claim for reimbursement.

The key point:

Don’t wait until you need to claim before learning how your insurance works.

Knowing the process in advance can make a difficult situation much easier.