Kuala lumpur: The government is rolling out several initiatives aimed at ensuring continued access to healthcare protection for the M40 and B40 groups, including the introduction of the MediAsas Plan and the enhancement of the Healthcare Scheme for the B40 Group (PeKa B40), MADANI Healthcare Scheme, and MySalam.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad stated that MediAsas is part of the RESET framework, designed to address the escalating costs of private medical care by offering more affordable health protection options for the M40 group. MediAsas is a medical insurance and takaful plan with competitive premium rates and will gradually integrate a Diagnosis Related Group (DRG)-based payment mechanism at private hospitals.

Dr Dzulkefly emphasized that the MediAsas Plan is meant to complement, not replace, the public healthcare system, which continues to provide Universal Health Coverage for all Malaysians, funded through the nation's tax revenue. The plan aims to expand coverage and options specifically for the M40 group.

The MediAsas Plan is set to launch as a pilot program in the Klang Valley with participation from six insurance and takaful companies at the end of this month, with plans for nationwide expansion by January 2027. The RESET framework also seeks to improve interoperability of electronic medical records to minimize redundant medical tests and scans and restructure private hospital billing practices.

The B40 group will remain protected through a network of 154 hospitals and over 3,000 public healthcare facilities, supplemented by programs like PeKa B40, the MADANI Healthcare Scheme, and MySalam. Dr Dzulkefly noted that MediAsas focuses on providing the M40 group with more affordable private healthcare protection options, addressing issues such as pre-existing conditions, non-communicable diseases (NCDs), and mental health challenges.