In a joint statement today, Sim Tze Tzin, Jimmy Pua, Taufiq Johari, Chiew Choon Mun and Bob Manolan welcomed Bank Negara Malaysia’s move to regulate the rise in medical and health insurance/takaful premiums.
They said their focus was now on private hospital charges, adding that the root cause of high insurance premiums is high private hospital charges.
They said that in a briefing for MPs by BNM and the health ministry, they were informed that dengue patients with insurance guarantee letters, for example, pay RM4,978, while “pay and claim” patients only pay RM1,288.
“Pneumonia patients with guarantee letters pay RM6,859, while pay-and-claim patients only pay RM2,654.
“We also received a complaint in which a cataract patient with insurance paid RM6,000 for treatment, while an uninsured patient paid RM3,000.
“Accident victims are charged RM200,000 at private hospitals while those who go to Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz only pay RM70,000 to treat a broken leg. Why is there such a stark difference?” they asked.
The MPs said BNM also highlighted the charges for hospital supplies and services, which they said are 59-70% higher than drug bills, as well as the lack of government regulation over consumable items such as syringes, gloves and gauze in hospitals.
“We believe there is a need to examine the problem of high private hospital charges.
“A sustainable private hospital ecosystem will save public hospitals from overcrowding and ease government funding.
“This will help the B40 get better treatment from government hospitals,” they said. - FMT
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