MediAsas co-payment rules still under review, says Liew

KUALA LUMPUR: The government is still reviewing co-payment requirements under the MediAsas medical insurance and takaful scheme.

Deputy Finance Minister Liew Chin Tong said patients at hospitals that follow MediAsas pricing rules may not have to make co-payments, while those treated at other hospitals may have to pay extra.

"However, if a hospital does not comply, a co-payment may be required. All these matters are still being reviewed as part of the pilot programme," he told the Dewan Rakyat.

Liew was responding to a supplementary question from Datuk Dr Alias Razak (PN-Kuala Nerus), who raised concerns about a proposed 20 per cent co-payment for patients seeking treatment outside the MediAsas hospital network.

Alias asked whether the government would exempt patients in states with limited participating hospitals, particularly Terengganu and other east coast states, from the additional payment.

He also sought clarification on how many hospitals in Terengganu and the east coast had been confirmed for the scheme's nationwide rollout in January 2027.

Liew said four of the country's largest hospital groups had expressed interest in participating in MediAsas, although their involvement had yet to be finalised.

"I understand that four of the largest hospital groups are interested and may participate in the MediAsas scheme, although this has not been finalised.

"Bank Negara Malaysia and the government hope that as many hospitals as possible will participate in the scheme," he said.

He said MediAsas combined medical insurance coverage with a system for classifying hospitals according to their compliance with treatment pricing requirements.

The pricing framework would use diagnosis-related groups (DRG), which categorise medical treatments to help determine hospital charges.

Hospitals complying with the framework would be considered cost-efficient, potentially allowing patients to receive treatment without additional co-payments.

Liew said the MediAsas pilot programme, which began in the Klang Valley in late July 2026, was assessing operational readiness, hospital participation and consumer acceptance.

The government remains on track to implement the scheme nationwide by the end of January 2027.

MediAsas is intended to improve access to affordable medical and health insurance and takaful protection while addressing rising private healthcare costs.