BNM should explain co-payment features for medical insurance policies, says Dzulkefly

KUALA LUMPUR: Bank Negara Malaysia(BNM) should clarify the implementation of co-payment requirements for medical and health insurance and takaful (MHIT) products to reassure consumers, says Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad (pic).

“Co-payment is under the jurisdiction of BNM. I feel it is important for it to issue a strategic communication, so that (the implementation) doesn’t cause alarm,” the Health Minister told the Dewan Rakyat on Wednesday (July 17).

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“I am asking BNM for a clear explanation. We always want to be supportive as long as it doesn’t burden the people and healthcare facilities.

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

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

Dzulkefly also acknowledged the medical inflation rate and urged private health facilities to take inflation into account in providing value-based service.

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“As a minister, I 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," he said.

Dzulkefly said where the cost of medication is concerned, there is transparency in drug pricing.

Last year, Malaysia recorded a medical cost inflation rate of 12.6%, much higher than the global average of 5.6%.

Datuk Dr Alias Razak (PN-Kuala Nerus) had asked about government measures to curb medical inflation, and whether or not an impact study had been made on the co-payment requirement.