Health Ministry says private clinics must only give itemised bills if requested, after backlash over TikTok Live remarks
The ministry said the right of patients to receive an itemised bill is already provided for under the Private Healthcare Facilities and Services (Private Hospitals and Other Private Healthcare Facilities) Regulations 2006.
'The issuance of an itemised bill is mandatory only upon request by the patient and must be provided at no additional charge,' the ministry said in a statement here.
'This allows patients to better understand the breakdown of charges for services, treatments, and medications received.'
The ministry previously held the session titled 'Myths and Facts: Medicine Price Display' on May 14 aimed to inform the public about the policy requiring private healthcare facilities and community pharmacies to display medicine prices.
The ministry stressed that there has been no new policy or change regarding the current billing practices at private medical clinics.
It also expressed confidence that continued cooperation from all parties would enhance the quality of healthcare services while upholding patients' rights.
On Thursday, private doctors had accused the ministry of bypassing legal channels to impose new billing requirements on clinics after a controversial TikTok Live broadcast purportedly by a senior Health Ministry officer.
The Federation of Private Medical Practitioners' Associations Malaysia (FPMPAM) said the guidance given by Mohemmad Redzuan Mohd Rizal, a senior officer from the Pharmaceutical Services Programme (PSP), over a TikTok Live session, was inappropriate and lacked legal basis.
The group stressed that doctors operate under different legislation – namely the Medical Act 1971 and the Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act 1998 (Act 586) – and not the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011 (Act 723), which typically governs retail pricing and is under the purview of the Domestic Trade Ministry.
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