KUALA LUMPUR: The Health Ministry is reviewing the procedures for setting deposits and bank guarantees as a step to address the issue of outstanding medical treatment charges for foreign nationals at government healthcare facilities.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the review included several aspects, such as the rate and collection procedures for bank guarantees, ensuring that the amount was sufficient to cover the medical costs for foreign nationals.
He said other measures being taken include establishing agreements with private companies under the Procedure for Obtaining Inpatient Treatment Facilities at Health Ministry Hospitals, using company guarantee letters through the provision of bank guarantees.
"Under this agreement, private companies are required to provide a bank guarantee based on the number of workers to the Health Ministry.
"For example, a private company needs to provide a bank guarantee of RM2,500 if the number of its employees is 200 or fewer.
"If the medical bill is not paid within the specified period, the ministry will deduct the bank guarantee to settle the outstanding bill.
"As of September 2024, a total of 823 companies have signed bank guarantee agreements with the ministry to cover medical facilities for their foreign workers."
He said this in response to a question from Fathul Huzir Ayob (PN-Gerik), who asked the ministry to explain the progress of its in-depth study on the procedures for setting deposits and bank guarantees, the charge rates, and collection methods for foreign nationals receiving treatment at government healthcare facilities, which have reportedly reached RM40 million.
Dr Dzulkefly explained that as a result of the measures taken by the Health Ministry on the collection of medical bills from foreign nationals from December 2023 to September this year, there had been a decline in outstanding payments.
"There has been a reduction in arrears, which decreased by RM3.84 million or 9.58 per cent, from RM40.08 million to RM36.24 million," he said.