5 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Engagement session for basic MHIT product yet to be finalised
KUALA LUMPUR: Engagement sessions with key stakeholders for the development of the Medical and Health Insurance and Takaful (MHIT) basic product are currently still ongoing, the Dewan Rakyat was told.
Finance Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the structure and design of the product have yet to be finalised.
He added that the basic product concept is targeted for full completion by December 2025, with implementation planned for the end of 2026.
"Engagement sessions with key stakeholders are actively being conducted to ensure that all feedback regarding the design features of the MHIT basic product is considered and aligned with the principles of affordability and long-term sustainability.
"However, it is important to emphasise that the decision to purchase this basic product is entirely voluntary and based on individual choice," he said in a written parliamentary reply.
He was responding to Datuk Dr Alias Razak (PN–Kuala Nerus) on the status of the study on withdrawals from Account 2 of the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) to finance health insurance premiums and the likelihood of it being implemented in the near future.
Commenting further, Anwar said once the MHIT basic product policy is finalised, the EPF is prepared to consider enhancements to the i-Lindung facility to allow the use of Account 2 for the future purchase of the product.
"As with other insurance and takaful products, policyholders can expect to pay for the MHIT basic premiums from any financial resources they have.
"The use of funds from Account 2 under the EPF scheme is merely one of the proposed financing options currently available to consumers for purchasing insurance and takaful protection," he said.
In June, it was reported that the government was c onsidering allowing EPF members to use their Account 2 savings to pay for monthly health insurance premiums.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said if implemented, 16 million EPF contributors could gain access to private hospital treatments using their contributions.
