MediAsas medical insurance plan to launch in Malaysia

The MediAsas medical insurance plan is scheduled for launch in January 2027 as part of the RESET strategy, a national initiative led by the Malaysian Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Finance, and Bank Negara Malaysia. The program aims to address rising medical cost inflation and improve healthcare accessibility for low and middle-income groups.

Two primary plan options are available: MediAsas Teras and MediAsas Fleksi. MediAsas Teras provides a standard annual limit of RM100,000 for individuals aged 0 to 59, increasing to RM150,000 for those aged 60 and above. MediAsas Fleksi offers broader coverage with an annual limit of RM300,000 regardless of age.

PolicyStreet CEO Yen Ming Lee noted that the long-term success of the plan depends on maintaining affordable and financially sustainable premiums. He identified several drivers for rising medical costs in Malaysia, including the fee-for-service payment model in private hospitals, lack of transparency in medical billing, an aging population, and the rise of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and hypertension.