Private specialists oppose diagnosis pricing system for inpatients

 

Health minister Dzulkefly Ahmad has said the diagnosis-related group system is likely to be rolled out by the second quarter of 2025. (Reuters pic)

PETALING JAYA: 

The Association of Specialists in Private Medical Practice has voiced its objection to the proposed introduction of a diagnosis-related group pricing system for in-patient hospitalisation.

The association said the DRG system, currently used in the US, would impose further restrictions on healthcare providers, aggravating the already capped consultation and procedure fees.

Under the Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act 1998, consultation fees for general practitioners is capped at RM35 and specialists at RM235.

The association said exacerbating fee caps could limit the ability of medical specialists to provide quality care.

“No other professional body suffers this ‘price controlling law’, limiting the profession from giving its best, and equating the youngest new specialist to the senior consultant through this capping of fees,” it said in a statement.

Under the DRG system, hospitals and healthcare providers reimburse a fixed amount based on the diagnosis or condition, as opposed to the traditional fee-for-service model that involves itemising each charge.

Health minister Dzulkefly Ahmad had said the system was likely to be rolled out by the second quarter of 2025.

He said such a system is needed to “establish a system of repayment, reimbursement and charges”.

The association said private medical specialists and general practitioners must be involved in the discussions and decision-making process, rather than solely relying on large insurance companies and hospital networks.

“We strongly object to the introduction of DRG for in-patient hospitalisation charges at this early stage without proper evaluation, without our views and without studying the woes of this system in the US,” ,it said.

It called for a more careful evaluation of the system, emphasising that Malaysia’s existing two-tier healthcare system provides quality care for a wide range of income groups.

It also urged the government to address the real issues facing private medical specialists, such as high education costs, low starting salaries and career uncertainty.

“If the government is really serious about healthcare for all, it must be willing to provide and effectively manage a good, corruption-free, multi-billion ringgit national healthcare system,” it said. - FMT