Health Insurance Refund: 4 Cases Eligible For Refund In 2025 And Detailed Procedures

4 Cases Eligible for Health Insurance Contribution Refund in 2025

1. Case 1: Participating in a new beneficiary group with higher priority

Eligibility: Individuals who are issued a Health Insurance card under a new beneficiary group and concurrently report the reduction in the validity of the previously issued Health Insurance card. Note that this new beneficiary group must have a contribution order ranked after the old group as stipulated in Article 12 of the 2008 Health Insurance Law.

Refund Amount: Calculated based on the Health Insurance contribution level and the period for which contributions were paid but the Health Insurance card was not used.

Period for Refund Calculation: Calculated from the date the Health Insurance card issued under the new beneficiary group becomes effective/valid.

2. Case 2: The state budget adjusts and increases the level of contribution support

Eligibility: Individuals whose Health Insurance contribution support level is adjusted and increased by the state budget.

Refund Amount: Calculated based on the Health Insurance contribution level and the period for which contributions were paid but the Health Insurance card was not used.

Period for Refund Calculation: Calculated from the date the decision of the competent authority takes effect.

3. Case 3: The participant unfortunately passes away before the Health Insurance card becomes effective/valid

Eligibility: The participant unfortunately passes away before the date the Health Insurance card, for which contributions were paid, becomes effective/valid.

Refund Amount: Calculated based on the Health Insurance contribution level and the period for which contributions were paid but the Health Insurance card was not used.

Period for Refund Calculation: Calculated from the time the card becomes effective/valid.

4. Case 4: Duplicate Health Insurance contributions

Eligibility: Individuals who made duplicate Health Insurance contributions for the same period.

Refund Amount: Calculated based on the Health Insurance contribution level and the period for which contributions were paid but the Health Insurance card was not used.

Period for Refund Calculation: Calculated from the date the Health Insurance card is issued under the new group (in case of duplicate contributions due to change in beneficiary group) or from the date the duplicate contribution period becomes effective/valid.

(Duplicate contributions are eligible for Health Insurance contribution refund as stipulated in Point 1.1 Clause 1 Article 20 and Point 2.1 Clause 2 Article 20 of Decision No. 595/QD-BHXH dated 2017)

Most Detailed Guide to Health Insurance Contribution Refund Procedures in 2025

The process and procedures for Health Insurance contribution refund in 2025 are clearly regulated in Decision No. 896/QD-BHXH dated 2021. Below is a detailed guide for each scenario:

4.  Performing the refund procedure through Collection Agents/Schools

Executing Agency: Provincial/District Social Security 

Implementing Entity: Organization (Collection Agent/School).

Applicable Case: Applicable to individuals who solely participate in Health Insurance and have made duplicate Health Insurance contributions for a beneficiary group with a higher priority order.

Implementation Steps:

Step 1: The participant completes Form TK1-TS (Declaration Form) and submits it to the Collection Agent/School.

Step 2: The Collection Agent/School receives the application file and submits it to the Social Security agency. The file can be submitted in one of the following forms:

Submit electronic file, signed digitally, via the Vietnam Social Security Public Service Portal or through an I-VAN organization or via the National Public Service Portal.

Via Postal Service.

Submit Directly at the application receiving department of the provincial or district Social Security agency or at the Public Administration Service Centers at all levels.

Step 3: Receive the processing result according to the registered methods.

Processing Time: No more than 5 working days from the date the Social Security (BHXH) agency receives a complete application file.

Outcome: Refund Decision (Form C16-TS) and the refunded amount for the duplicate Health Insurance contribution period. The outcome is processed and disbursed by the Social Security (BHXH) agency according to the registered methods (received at the Social Security agency, at the school or collection agent, or via bank account, smart utility systems).

2. Individuals Directly Perform The Refund Procedure

Executing Agency: Provincial/District Social Security (BHXH).

Implementing Entity: Individual holding a Health Insurance card.

Applicable Case: Applicable to individuals who solely participate in Health Insurance and have made duplicate Health Insurance contributions for a beneficiary group with a higher priority order.

Implementation Steps:

Step 1: The Health Insurance participant completes Form TK1-TS (Declaration Form) and submits the application file to the Social Security (BHXH) agency in one of the following forms:

Via Electronic Transaction: The participant registers to receive an authentication code and submits the electronic file to the Vietnam Social Security (BHXH) Public Service Portal or through an I-VAN Organization (if registered to use I-VAN services); in case the paper file is not converted to electronic format, the paper file can be sent to the Social Security agency via postal service.

Via Postal Service.

Directly at the application receiving department of the managing Social Security (BHXH) agency (or place of residence) or at the Public Administration Service Centers at all levels.

Step 2: The Social Security agency receives the application file and processes it according to regulations.

Step 3: Receive the processing result according to the registered methods.

Processing Time: No more than 5 working days from the date the Social Security (BHXH) agency receives a complete application file.

Outcome: Refund Decision (Form C16-TS) and the refunded amount for the duplicate Health Insurance contribution period. The outcome is processed and disbursed by the Social Security (BHXH) agency according to the registered methods (received at the Social Security agency, at the school or collection agent, or via bank account, smart utility systems).

Understanding these regulations and procedures will help people easily exercise their right to Health Insurance contribution refund in 2025. Please carefully check your own case and complete the procedure in a timely manner to receive the amount contributed back.