DISCUSSIONS are underway with the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) on the possibility of allowing members to withdraw savings to purchase the new Base Medical and Health Insurance/Takaful (MHIT) product, says Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan (pic).
“Currently, EPF’s Akaun Sejahtera, also known as Account 2, can be used for the i-Lindung scheme, which provides coverage for critical illnesses,” he told the Dewan Rakyat during Minister’s Question Time yesterday.
“We are discussing with EPF to see whether the Base Plan concept can be accepted as part of the i-Lindung products where withdrawals are allowed.
“We expect that with the approaches we have taken and the support we have received from all parties, we will have a better system that supports the government’s healthcare framework,” he added.
Amir Hamzah said the Base MHIT is important in giving Malaysians more healthcare financing options.
He was responding to a supplementary question from Khoo Poay Tiong (PH–Kota Melaka) on whether the government would permit EPF withdrawals for the Base MHIT.
The Base MHIT framework, released by Bank Negara on Jan 22, introduces a standardised, voluntary insurance product aimed at Malaysians who are uninsured or facing steep premium increases.
It seeks to standardise baseline coverage across insurers and takaful operators, improving portability and price transparency.
The product was developed under the RESET framework, which, among other objectives, aims to address soaring medical inflation.
A co-payment mechanism is included in the plan to help curb costs and ensure price transparency.
Amir Hamzah said the Base MHIT is open to all insurers and takaful operators, although certain criteria must be met.
Pricing for the Base Plan will be standardised across the industry.
“This is a Base Plan made for the industry, where all insurers and takaful operators will use the same price. We want clearer premiums,” he said.
