Latest news with #MHIT
The Star
2 days ago
- Health
- The Star
Value-based healthcare
Medical advances: Dzulkefly (third from right) attending the APHM International Healthcare Conference and Exhibition at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. — YAP CHEE HONG/The Star KUALA LUMPUR: The introduction of basic medical and health insurance/takaful (MHIT) products will mark the first step in the implementation of the diagnosis-related group (DRG) payment model, says Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad. He said MHIT products would steer private healthcare towards a value-based healthcare model with fairer rules for those with pre-existing conditions. 'Introducing DRGs to pay for healthcare services in phases, beginning with this base MHIT product, will be a key driver for value-based healthcare. 'DRGs incentivise efficiency and we expect this will drive innovations in ambulatory and day case surgery, and expand the use of health technologies, which will demonstrate strong cost effectiveness in improving health outcomes while reducing costs,' said Dzulkefly. He added that the Health Ministry is working with the Finance Ministry, Bank Negara and the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) to transform private health insurance and takafuls by developing a base MHIT product. Speaking during the launch of the Association of Private Hospitals Malaysia's (APHM) International Healthcare Conference and Exhibition 2025, he said the Health Ministry has made healthcare financing reform and digitalisation of healthcare services its priority. 'We are also exploring a more diversified health financing ecosystem that combines tax-based allocations, social contributions, employer-based schemes and targeted subsidies, all under a progressive and equitable framework,' he added. Speaking to reporters after the launch, Dzulkefly said the Health Ministry is hoping to introduce the DRG payment model by the end of the year. He said the proposed DRG scheme can start with a simple mechanism in its initial stage. 'Start simple first and after the momentum is developed, go for a complex one,' he added. He also said that Malaysia, especially the APHM and Finance Ministry, have experience in implementing the DRG model. DRG is a payment system that involves paying an amount predetermined by the DRG, instead of paying for each service received. Other countries that have implemented this system include Sweden, Canada and Australia. Dzulkefly was responding to news reports claiming that the government's plans to introduce the DRG system at private hospitals are being put on hold. Commenting on a separate issue, he said the review of consultation fees for private general practitioners (GPs) has been raised to an executive task force chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. Dzulkefly said that after a meeting between the Health Ministry and the National Action Council on Cost of Living (Naccol), it was decided that this issue should be raised to the task force led by Ahmad Zahid. Dzulkefly added that there are no deadlines for finalising the review of consultation fees for private GPs. 'No, but we will tackle this issue at the soonest time possible. 'The Deputy Prime Minister, who chairs the executive task force, will look into the final touches of this,' said Dr Dzulkefly. On May 3, he had said the review of consultation fees for private GPs would be finalised within a month. Yesterday, the Medical Practitioners Coalition Association of Malaysia (MPCAM) had proposed raising private GP fees to a minimum of RM50 and a maximum of RM80. MPCAM had said GP consultation fees have stagnated between RM10 and RM35 for more than three decades since 1992.
The Star
2 days ago
- Health
- The Star
Long, winding road towards DRG payment model rollout
KUALA LUMPUR: A proper rollout of the diagnosis-related group (DRG) payment model could take more than six months, given the complexities in data gathering and analysis, said Association of Private Hospitals Malaysia (APHM) president Datuk Dr Kuljit Singh. He said that for any DRG or any DRG-type mechanism to work, accurate clinical data and a national electronic health record system are needed. Presently, this foundational data is not yet available, which presents significant challenges for timely and effective DRG implementation, he added. 'As the process of gathering and analysing such data is complex and time-consuming, APHM anticipates that a proper rollout will require considerably more than six months,' said Dr Kuljit. He also said the APHM is heartened to hear Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad's announcement at the APHM International Healthcare Conference and Exhibition 2025 that a basic medical and health insurance/takaful (MHIT) product will be introduced later this year, while the DRG will be rolled out in phases. To support this national initiative, Dr Kuljit said APHM member hospitals have offered to share relevant clinical data required for the set-up of a DRG system with the Health Ministry and the Finance Ministry. 'APHM strongly advocates that adequate time and resources be allocated to ensure that the DRG initiative is thoroughly conceptualised, piloted and implemented to ultimately deliver sustainable improvements for all Malaysians,' added Dr Kuljit. Earlier, Dzulkefly said introducing DRGs to pay for healthcare services, in phases, beginning with MHIT products, will be a key driver for value-based healthcare.
Daily Express
3 days ago
- Health
- Daily Express
Medical insurance first product under diagnosis pricing system, says Dzulkefly
Published on: Monday, June 09, 2025 Published on: Mon, Jun 09, 2025 By: Tan Chin Tung, FMT Text Size: Health minister Dzulkefly Ahmad said 78 health clinics have adopted the cloud-based clinic management system, with another 90 set to come on board later this year. (Bernama pic) Kuala Lumpur: Health minister Dzulkefly Ahmad says the government's introduction of a basic medical and health insurance and takaful (MHIT) product marks the first step in the phased implementation of a diagnosis-related group (DRG) pricing system. Speaking at the launch of the APHM International Healthcare Conference & Exhibition 2025 here today, he said the product would broaden private sector financing options and steer private healthcare towards a value-based healthcare model. Advertisement 'We are also exploring a more diversified health financing ecosystem that will combine tax-based allocations, social contributions, employer-based schemes, and targeted subsidies under a progressive and equitable framework,' he said. In March, deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the finance ministry, Bank Negara Malaysia, and the EPF would develop MHIT products in view of the rising medical costs. He said the initiative was part of the national health sector reform effort to ensure access to more sustainable medical treatment. Dzulkefly said the DRG pricing system – which standardises the costs for certain groups of patients according to their ailments and encourages cost containment initiatives – would be a key driver for value-based healthcare, with fairer rules for those with pre-existing conditions in the context of an ageing nation where the prevalence of non-communicable diseases is high. Advertisement 'Diagnosis-related groups incentivise efficiency. 'We expect this to drive innovation in ambulatory and day-case surgery, and expand the use of health technologies that demonstrate strong cost-effectiveness in improving health outcomes and reducing total costs,' he said. Dzulkefly said the system is expected to be rolled out before the end of 2025. 'We will start with simpler groups under DRG that are easier to manage. From there, we will build momentum and move on to more complex groups. 'With the cooperation of APHM, the finance ministry and other stakeholders, I am confident we can implement the initial phase by the end of this year and continue building from there,' he told reporters later. Separately, he said a joint ministerial committee would coordinate health-focused initiatives under GEAR-uP, which will see six GLICs invest RM120 billion in 'high growth, high value' industries over five years to stimulate domestic economic growth. 'This is expected to drive further investments into the health sector, particularly in the spectrum of healthcare providers, not limited to large multi-speciality tertiary hospitals,' he said. Dzulkefly also said that 78 health clinics had adopted the cloud-based clinic management system, with another 90 set to come on board later this year. He said the clinics saw more than 70% of patients receiving treatment in under 30 minutes, 20% attended to within 30 to 60 minutes, and 10% attended to within 90 minutes. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Malaysian Reserve
3 days ago
- Health
- Malaysian Reserve
Govt rolls out MHIT to boost health financing options
by AKMAR ANNUAR MALAYSIA'S move toward a diagnosis-related group (DRG) pricing model in private healthcare has begun with the rollout of a new Medical and Health Insurance and Takaful (MHIT) product, said Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad. He said the initiative, developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance, Bank Negara Malaysia and the Employees Provident Fund (EPF), aims to widen private sector financing avenues and strengthen the foundation for value-based healthcare in the country. 'This marks a crucial step in establishing fairer rules for individuals with pre-existing conditions,' he said at the opening of the APHM International Healthcare Conference & Exhibition 2025 in Kuala Lumpur recently. The MHIT product is part of broader national health reforms addressing long-standing challenges of affordability and sustainability in private healthcare, particularly against the backdrop of Malaysia's ageing population and rising burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Dr Dzulkefly explained that the DRG pricing framework—designed to reimburse healthcare providers based on the diagnosis and treatment provided rather than the volume of services—will promote more efficient, cost-effective care delivery. Additionally, he said the diagnosis-related group (DRG) system encourages efficiency by rewarding healthcare providers based on the quality and appropriateness of care rather than the volume of services provided. Plus this approach, he added, is expected to stimulate innovation in outpatient and day-case surgical procedures, while also promoting the adoption of cost-effective medical technologies that can improve patient outcomes and lower overall healthcare expenditure. Beyond insurance reform, the government is also re-evaluating the country's health financing ecosystem to make it more inclusive and resilient. This includes integrating tax-based funding, social health contributions, employer-backed schemes and targeted subsidies into a more progressive structure. In line with this, the government has introduced the Generative Economy Action Roadmap for Upward Progress (GEAR-uP), which brings together six government-linked investment companies (GLICs) to invest RM120 billion in high-growth, high-value sectors over five years. Dr Dzulkefly said a joint ministerial committee will oversee GEAR-uP's health-focused investments, which are expected to stimulate growth beyond traditional tertiary care providers. 'This is expected to drive further investments into the health sector, particularly in the spectrum of healthcare providers, not limited to large multi-specialty tertiary hospitals,' he said. Meanwhile, progress has also been made in digitalising public primary care facilities. To date, 78 health clinics have adopted a cloud-based clinic management system, with an additional 90 set to implement the platform by year-end. The digital shift has already shown measurable impact: Over 70% of patients are now receiving treatment within 30 minutes, while only 10% face wait times of more than 90 minutes. The introduction of MHIT and the gradual shift toward DRG-based pricing underscore the government's intent to reshape Malaysia's healthcare delivery and financing landscape — aiming to make it more equitable, efficient and responsive to emerging health challenges.
