KUALA LUMPUR – The president of the Association of Private Hospitals Malaysia (APHM), Datuk Dr Kuljit Singh, has dismissed claims that patients with insurance or medical cards are charged more than those paying out of pocket.
Speaking to Scoop, Kuljit emphasised that private hospitals follow standardised charges, regardless of the patient’s payment method.
“A common misconception is that patients using insurance are charged more than those paying out of pocket, which has to be proven,” said Kuljit.
He further highlighted that rising healthcare costs are a global trend, affecting Malaysia and placing additional pressure on public and private healthcare systems.
Unlike government-funded public hospitals, private facilities rely heavily on direct payments, adding to their financial challenges.
“Healthcare costs worldwide, including Malaysia, are on the rise, pressuring the national budget allocated to the Health Ministry. The challenges faced by private hospitals are compounded by their reliance on direct payments from patients, unlike public hospitals that receive substantial government support.
Additionally, he questioned why patients unable to afford private healthcare still sought such services, pointing to factors such as long waiting times in public hospitals, perceptions of better care, and advanced technology.
These issues, he said, are signs of a broader imbalance in Malaysia’s dual healthcare system.
“Why are patients who cannot afford private healthcare still seeking services from private hospitals? Factors such as waiting time, perceived quality of care, and availability of advanced medical technology often drive patients to private facilities despite high costs.
“Moreover, the lack of urgent reforms in the public healthcare sector raises concerns about accessibility and the quality of services provided to underserved populations,” Kuljit explained.
His remarks come amid rising public outcry over medical insurance premium hikes of up to 70% next year.
Insurers have attributed the increases to a 56% rise in cumulative medical claims from 2021 to 2023, driven by pandemic-related claims and higher private healthcare costs.
MPs have criticised Bank Negara Malaysia for failing to regulate insurers effectively, while elderly policyholders have decried steep premium surges despite years of loyalty.
Kuljit called for urgent reforms to public healthcare to reduce strain on private facilities. He warned that efforts to control private healthcare costs alone would not address long waiting times faced by millions in the B40 and M40 income groups at public hospitals.
“Comprehensive reviews and policy changes are essential to ensure equitable and affordable access to healthcare,” he said, adding that such reforms are critical to creating a sustainable healthcare system for all Malaysians. – December 6, 2024