KUALA LUMPUR: Medical insurance premiums are expected to rise between 40 and 70 per cent next year, following notices sent by insurance providers to policyholders citing the rising cost of medical care in private hospitals as the primary reason.
According to a Utusan Malaysia report, many users have opted to cancel their medical insurance policies as they can no longer afford the increasing premiums that need to be paid every month.
As an alternative, they choose to use insurance provided by their employers or opt to use government hospital services.
The majority of medical insurance cardholders have expressed dissatisfaction and questioned these increases, which they believe are not only burdensome but also unreasonable.
One user, who wished to be known as Hamidi, said that he had already received a letter from his insurance company stating that the premium increase would take effect in February next year.
"This year, the company has already raised the premium by over RM40. Next year, it will double. I used to pay RM188.47 a month, and now I have to pay RM237.34, even though there was a previous increase last year, from RM157.69 to RM188.47."
"The question is, why does the premium increase every year? This is burdensome for us," he said yesterday.
Hamidi said the increase was very significant and raised many questions.
"It seems like an annual event. Every time we ask for an explanation, they say it is due to the increase in treatment costs. But what is the proof that treatment costs increase every year? Is the rise caused by services from private hospitals, and do we even know what the guidelines are for each patient?" he asked.
Another user, Safie Wahab, said his insurance policy had also increased by RM133, from RM244 to RM377 per month.
He has even considered the possibility of stopping the payments in the future.
"Perhaps a time will come when people can no longer afford health insurance, and current policyholders may just let it lapse," he said.
Utusan Malaysia attempted to obtain clarification from several insurance companies but has yet to get a response.
Meanwhile, Consumers Association of Subang and Shah Alam (CASSA) president Datuk Seri Dr Jacob George said it was not reasonable to increase insurance premiums given the current cost of living.
"There is a limit to these increases. How much money are they spending to cover policyholders compared to the amount they receive from premiums? Moreover, at times, the procedures for policyholders to make claims are quite complicated," he explained.
He also called on insurance companies to reveal their annual losses if they intend to raise premiums.
"They need to show their losses. If this increase happens, it does not reflect the approach of a Madani Government. Therefore, don't allow such increases," he said.
Bayan Baru member of parliament Sim Tze Tzin said that his office would be meeting not only with insurance companies but also with private hospitals to gather more information.
He and other PKR MPs have started an initiative to collect information on the rising charges of private hospitals and medical insurance premiums.
"We have already received 52 complaints, and we want more people to file complaints so we can learn more, in addition to addressing the issues surrounding private hospital charges," he said.
An insurance consultant who only wanted to be known as Ahmad said the increase in medical insurance premiums was not new.
"There are two types. One is called 'step-up', where the rate increases every three years. However, during this period, there will be repricing (a review of the pricing) depending on factors like the economy, inflation, and medical charges.
"The other is called 'level contribution', where the rate increases every seven to 10 years. However, the pricing will remain the same during that period, with adjustments made when necessary," he explained.