Kuala Lumpur:The affordable Medi Asas plan is set to be launched in January 2027, introducing standardized hospital charges based on diagnosis and treatment type to ensure better control and predictability of medical costs, as announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Anwar, who also serves as Finance Minister, stated during the tabling of Budget 2027 in the Dewan Rakyat that Employees Provident Fund (EPF) members aged under 55 will be permitted to pay Medi Asas premiums using savings from their Akaun Sejahtera.
The government will subsidize the first-year premium by RM200 per worker for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with fewer than 75 employees, capped at 50 employees per company. This initiative is expected to benefit up to 200,000 SME workers.
Anwar also highlighted the expansion of electronic medical records based on the "one individual, one record" principle to enhance transparency in private medical services. Starting in 2027, private hospital bills will adopt standardized and transparent fee categories to help patients understand every charge, thereby reducing price distortions.
The development of the e-CKAPS portal will enable the online licensing of private healthcare facilities starting in 2027, targeting a processing time reduction of up to 65 percent.
To assist underprivileged citizens in obtaining medical treatment, the government is increasing the Medical Assistance Fund to RM60 million from RM40 million previously. Additionally, RM80 million has been allocated under PeKa B40 for free health screenings, medical equipment aid, and cancer treatment incentives for Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) recipients and their spouses aged 40 and above.
The MySalam scheme, which has benefited 1.6 million people with total claims reaching RM1.3 billion since its inception, will continue in 2027. The Fertility Treatment Assistance and Infertility Advocacy (BuAI) Programme will provide affordable fertility treatment to 2,000 couples and men's wellness services to 42,000 individuals.
Free thalassemia screening will be expanded to include husbands and children of carriers to reduce the risk of major thalassemia births. To address hospital congestion, the allocation to outsource patients to other hospitals has been increased to RM200 million to shorten patient waiting times for medical treatment.
The scope of cooperation will also be expanded to include the public sector's use of private healthcare facilities, including operating theatres. Related programs will cover Expanded Newborn Screening, Prenatal Genetic Testing, and rehabilitation services.
Furthermore, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), through an investment of RM1 billion, will continue to enhance the implementation of the electronic medical record system project at healthcare facilities nationwide.