The Malaysian Insight

ONLINE application forms for the newly launched mySalam health insurance scheme for the B40 group will be ready next month or by March 1, Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng said.

The forms would be made available online to discourage agents from trying to sell them, he said in Penang today, adding that further announcements would be made on this.

The scheme, launched by Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad last week, will benefit 3.69 million Malaysians aged 18 to 55 from the bottom 40% of low-income households.

The scheme was announced during the tabling of Budget 2019 with an initial fund size of RM2 billion contributed by insurance company Great Eastern.

mySalam covers 36 critical illness with RM8,000 one-off payment for patients, as well as income replacement of up to RM700 per year for those who receive treatment in any government hospitals.

Lim today addressed criticism about a lack of clarity on the scheme, such as whether it was for treatment in government hospitals only.

Critics have included Parti Sosialis Malaysia and health advocacy group Galen Centre, which have questioned the rationale of reimbursing private hospitals for treatment costs rather than public hospitals. 

They have suggested that the scheme’s RM2 billion would be better used to improve the public health system.

Lim, however, said mySalam would not cover treatment at private hospitals, as those who could afford to seek private treatment would not need it.

He said it was only intended to lessen the financial burden of those who signed up for it if they fell ill with one of the 36 critical illnesses.

“It cannot resolve all their financial needs; it’s just to alleviate their suffering and assist their families a little.

“Most importantly, we want to show that the government cares. This is a compassionate programme. It has never been done before. Why are they questioning the scheme?” he said. – January 27, 2019.