Directive 12/CT-BYT on non-cash payment for medical and health service

DIRECTIVE

On intensifying the implementation of non-cash payment for medical and health service

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Non-cash payment services include payment service via - and non via - payment account. Within that, e-payment now is the most popular service in our country and in the world. E-payment is the application of technology for purchase activities without using cash, through some methods such as: Transfer via bank account, visa card, ATM, e-wallet, mobile banking... that are authenticated and guaranteed by banks.

There are many benefits from non-cash payment, such as: Safety, fast, accurate, saving time and more public, transparent than payment by cash. It also allows the purchase and supply of goods and services online everywhere; allows consumers to purchase and make a payment with global market.

To implement the Resolution No. 02/NQ-CP dated January 01, 2019 of the Government on continuing implementation of major tasks and solutions for improving the business environment and the national competitiveness in 2019 and orientation towards 2021 (herein after referred as Resolution 02/NQ-CP dated January 01, 2019), until now, in all sector, there are about 30 hospitals that are deploying e-payment for medical examination and treatment and get some delighted results. At a number of hospitals, there are 35% of total payments for medical examination and treatment using non-cash, reduce the overload in waiting-lines, increase the satisfaction of patients. However, there are some disadvantages of e-payment in medical and health sector as follows: The rate of hospitals that deploy e-payment for medical examination and treatment is low; the connecting between banks and organizations that provide intermediary payment service with hospital information system's software is difficult; people are not familiar with e-payment.

In order to intensifying non-cash payment in medical and health sector according to the Resolution No. 02/NQ-CP dated January 01, 2019 of the Government and the Prime Minister's Decision No. 241/QD-TTg dated February 23, 2018 on approving the Scheme on intensifying via-bank payment for public services, including taxes, electricity and water charges, school fees and hospital charges, and under social security programs (herein referred as Decision No. 241/QD-TTg dated February 23, 2018), the Minister of Health hereby directs:

1. Head of health facilities shall:

a) To fully aware of the defining and advantages of non-cash payment for all civil servants and employees in facilities according to the Resolution No. 02/NQ-CP dated January 01, 2019 and the Decision No. 241/QD-TTg dated February 23, 2018.

b) Promptly planning, distributing resources and conditions to implement suitable non-cash payment resolutions.

c) Actively cooperate with banks and organizations that legally provide intermediary payment services for non-cash payment for medical examination and treatment. For medical facility in urban where deploying non-cash payment solutions before December 31, 2019 in accordance with the Resolution No. 02/NQ-CP dated January 01, 2019

d) To implement multi-solutions for non-cash payment to facilitate citizen to use non-cash payment for medical service easily and smoothly:

- Payment via bank transfer:  to public the account number and give instruction in transaction detail so that citizens can make payment for medical service.

- To prioritize the payment method via mobile devices and card acceptance devices.  For the implementation of payment method using QR Code, only choose units satisfy the basic standard TCVN 03:2018 promulgated by the State Bank and the standard QR Code information structure promulgated by the Ministry of Health.

dd) To use electronic invoice as prescribed in the Circular No. 119/2018/ND-CP dated September 12, 2018 of the Government on electronic invoice in selling goods and providing service.

e) To use media to instruct citizens on the important meaning and utilities of non-cash payment, contribute to persuading citizens to get rid of using cash for payment in medical and health sector.

g) To report the result on implementation of this Circular to the higher management authority to synthesize in December annually.

2. The Director of the provincial-level Department of Health and the heads of Health sector in Ministries and branches shall:

a) To command the affiliated health facilities to deploy the non-cash payment methods for medical service.  For medical examination and treatment facilities in urban areas shall have to implement to use non-cash payment method for medical service before December 31, 2019 as prescribed in the Resolution No. 02/NQ-CP of the Government.

a) To cooperate with Department of Finance (for Department of Health) to advise and propose the provincial level People's Committee or advise and propose the Ministers, Heads of branches (for Health sector in Ministries, branches) to arrange budget for investment in technical infrastructure and guarantee resources to implement suitable electronic payment methods.

b) To urge, monitor and inspect the implementation of this Directive at affiliated managerial units; to have commendation for collective and individuals successfully implement this Directive.

g) To report the result on implementation of this Circular to the Ministry of Health to synthesize in December annually.

3. Departments, Agencies, Directorates, Ministerial Office and Inspectorate of Ministry of Health:

a) Department of Information Technology

- To assume prime responsibility in developing professional and technical guidance documents on electronic payment in medical and health sector; to instruct for connecting between software, paying gate of banks, to provide the intermediary payment service with the Hospital Information System (HIS), hospital website and QR code information structure used in medical payment.

 - To instruct medical facilities in urban areas in applying information technology to conduct diversity electronic payment solutions, and create favorable conditions for citizens to make any lawful electronic payment.

- To coordinate with Departments, Agencies, Directorates, Ministerial Office and Inspectorate of Ministry of Health in guiding, urging, monitoring and organizing the implementation of this Directive.

b) Department of Planning - Financial

- To instruct medical facilities to apply service fee for non-cash payment as regulated;

- To report the result on implementation of this Circular to the Minister of Health to synthesize in December annually.

c) Department of Medical Examination and Treatment

To research and propose supplementing criteria for non-cash medical services payment into the set of criteria for assessing hospital quality, and report to the Minister for consideration and decision.

d) Department of Information, Emulation and Commendation

- To collaborate with the Department of Information Technology and related units to provide information to the media and press agencies to enhance communication on non-cash payment in the medical and health sector.

- To collaborate with the Department of Information Technology to propose the Minister of Health and competent agencies to praise and reward units and individuals have positive performance in implementing electronic payment as prescribed.

- The implementation of non-cash payment as prescribed in the Government's Resolution is a political task,  so that, from December 31, 2019, medical facilities in urban areas which do not provide any form of electronic payment for medical examination and treatment service fee.

dd) Departments, Agencies, Directorates, Ministerial Office and Inspectorate of Ministry of Health shall take responsibility to guide, urge, monitor and organize the implementation of this Directive.

At reception of this Directive, head of departments and units in medical and health sector shall organize to implement urgently.

The Minister

Nguyen Thi Kim Tien