KUALA LUMPUR: The Health Ministry is studying developing a national Diagnosis-Related Group (DRG) system to address rising medical costs, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.
Deputy Health Minister Datuk Lukanisman Awang Sauni said the system categorises patients based on diagnosis, type of treatment and resources used.
He said the ministry is already in talks with the Finance Ministry regarding the implementation of the DRG system.
"We have introduced a casemix model at healthcare facilities with clear costs for each treatment, which can serve as a guide to preventing overcharges by private hospitals.
"We are considering ways to implement this system nationwide so that university hospitals, military hospitals and private hospitals can also adopt its use in determining patient treatment costs to avoid excess charges.
"This will also allow the M40 and B40 groups to access treatment in the private sector without the concern of excessive costs," he said in reply to questions from Wong Shu Qi (PH-Kluang) and Datuk Dr Ahmad Yunus Hairi (PN-Kuala Langat).
Wong had asked if the ministry had discussed with Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) to resolve the issue of rising insurance premiums.
Casemix system is a system that introduces a method of collecting data for each episode of health treatment based on clinical information and the sources used.
Lukanisman assured that the ministry would address concerns related to the hike in medical and insurance charges.
"If the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry can monitor the prices of rice, sugar and eggs, I believe the authorities under BNM, Finance Ministry and Health Ministry can monitor the need to address these rising costs."