Foreigners to pay higher medical fees

Kota Kinabalu: Foreigners in Sabah will be required to pay a higher deposit of RM1,400 for admission to third class wards compared to RM600 previously with immediate effect.Those due to undergo surgery would have to cough out RM2,800 compared to RM1,200 previously while those needing inpatient treatment in second class wards deposit of RM3,000 and RM5,000 for surgery (the old rates being RM900 and RM1,500, respectively).

Those in Executive and First Class wards would need to deposit RM7,000 and RM11,000 for surgery compared to RM2,100 and RM3,300 before.

The new rates cover both adults and children except for those holding Permanent Resident (PR) status or legally married to locals and children below 12 years provided one parent is a Malaysian or PR holder.

State Health Director Datuk Dr Christina Rundi said the circular from the Health Ministry in relation to higher deposits dated April 4, 2017 takes effect immediately.

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"This is in relation to the new fee charges effective January 1st, 2016 but there was no mention of deposits in that circular," she said, when contacted, Saturday.

The Government first introduced separate rates for foreigners in January 2015 after it was revealed that they took up between 30pc and 40pc of the subsidy in medical treatment for Malaysians.

The Government then also decided that subsidy for foreigners would be gradually cut.

The Ministry wants medical officers to get in touch with the next of kin of any foreigner who is unconscious when wheeled into the hospital's emergency department.

This is to ensure that the deposit has been paid before the patient is warded.

Hospitals must also keep records of the patient's address, contact number and details of the next of kin before he is discharged.

Also, these patients are allowed to collect their medications only after settling their dues.

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Hospitals have also been told to forward details of patients who fail to settle their bills to their respective missions here.

Demand letters would be sent to those who fail to pay up. - Mary Chin

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