BANK Negara must explain the implementation of co-payment requirements for medical and health insurance and takaful (MHIT) products for consumers’ reassurance and clarity, says Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.

“This policy is under the jurisdiction of Bank Negara. I feel it is important for the central bank to issue a strategic communication, so that (the implementation) does not cause alarm,” the Health Minister told the Dewan Rakyat.

“I am asking Bank Negara for a clear explanation. We want to be supportive (of policies) but it must not burden the people and healthcare facilities.

“If people do not have (medical) insurance, they will have to make a beeline for (public) healthcare facilities,” he added.

Bank Negara had recently announced that insurance companies must introduce medical and health policies with a co-payment feature option from Sept 1.

It said the policy aims to promote sustainable and affordable MHIT offerings, amid continued increase in medical cost inflation.

The central bank cited that in 2023, Malaysia recorded medical cost inflation of 12.6%, which is significantly higher than the global average of 5.6%.

“We want value-based healthcare. (It should not be) ‘pay for service’ but ‘pay for outcome’ so that the intention of spending the money is achieved,” Dzulkefly said in response to a question by Datuk Dr Alias Razak (PN-Kuala Nerus), who asked on measures to curb medical inflation as well as whether an impact study had been made on the co-payment requirement.

On another matter, the minister said a National Health Fund was being considered for better healthcare financing.

The Health Ministry, as the provider of public healthcare services in the country, had received RM41.2bil under Budget 2024 –about 10.5% of the total Budget.

“As a middle-high-income country, there could be higher allocation.

“But I understand the (government’s) fiscal position.

“Even if additional allocation cannot be provided, the ministry will use its resources effectively through innovative and creative approaches to health financing,” he said.

The government, he said, believes that public confidence would improve with transparent healthcare allocation.

“As a step in that direction, a National Health Fund that is managed transparently, efficiently and with integrity is being considered to pool funds from various sources including tax revenue, non-tax revenue and funds from the ministry’s enforcement activities including from sugar-sweetened beverages tax,” he said.

The ministry was aware of the burden of high out-of-pocket spending on healthcare, which stood at 37%, said Dzulkefly, in reply to Suhaizan Kaiat (PH-Pulai) who asked on plans to establish a National Health Financing.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2024/07/18/co-payment-clarity-needed