LAWMAKERS from PKR have questioned why charges for insured patients are higher than those for uninsured patients at private hospitals.
While welcoming Bank Negara's move to regulate the rise in medical and health premiums, Sim Tze Tzin, Jimmy Pua, Taufiq Johari, Chiew Choon Mun and Bob Manolan called for a detailed examination of the private medical fee structure.
"During a briefing by BNM and the Health Ministry, we learnt that the charges could be up to four times higher for insured patients.
"MPs were informed that some medical charges were different and not transparent.
“Pneumonia patients with guarantee letters pay RM6,859, while pay-and-claim patients only pay RM2,654.
“We also received a complaint in which a cataract patient with insurance paid RM6,000 for treatment, while an uninsured patient paid RM3,000.
“Accident victims are charged RM200,000 at private hospitals while those who go to Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz only pay RM70,000 to treat a broken leg. Why is there such a huge difference?” they asked in a joint statement.
The PKR lawmakers also questioned the lack of regulation on the price of "consumables" charged by hospitals, such as single-use items such as gloves, masks, and syringes.
They said there is an urgent need to examine the problem of high private hospital charges.
“A sustainable private hospital ecosystem will save public hospitals from overcrowding and ease government funding.
“This will help the B40 get better treatment from government hospitals,” they said. - December 22, 2024
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