Latest news with #AssociationofPrivateHospitalsMalaysia
New Straits Times
20-06-2025
- Health
- New Straits Times
Private hospitals back EPF plan for insurance payments, call for safeguards
KUALA LUMPUR: The Association of Private Hospitals Malaysia (APHM) has hailed the government's timely proposal to allow Employees Provident Fund (EPF) members to use their Account 2 savings to pay for monthly health insurance premiums. Its president, Datuk Dr Kuljit Singh, said while the plan is welcomed, it must be accompanied by clear safeguards to ensure its long-term sustainability. He said the responsibility now lies with the relevant agencies to determine the most appropriate funding model, whether through EPF or other mechanisms. "APHM fully supports the development of well-designed, evidence-based and data-driven policies, including the proposed basic MHIT (Medical and Health Insurance/Takaful) product. "Key stakeholders such as Bank Negara Malaysia, the Health Ministry, and the Finance Ministry will play pivotal roles in determining the best approach moving forward. "What matters most is that the mechanism serves the people effectively and remains financially viable in the long term," he told the NST. Dr Kuljit said APHM remains committed to working with all stakeholders to address challenges in healthcare financing and the rising cost of treatment. "Our member hospitals are ready to share data, insights, and industry expertise with the government to support policies that are both sustainable and beneficial to all Malaysians," he said. The government proposed the EPF plan to ease healthcare costs, widen insurance access, and relieve pressure on public hospitals. Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said yesterday that if the proposal is implemented, 16 million EPF contributors could use their savings to access medical care at private hospitals.
Sinar Daily
11-06-2025
- Business
- Sinar Daily
Private hospitals urge extension of SST deadline for foreign patient services
SHAH ALAM – The planned expansion of the Sales and Service Tax (SST) to private healthcare services for non-Malaysian patients is expected to pose significant operational challenges for the healthcare sector. The Association of Private Hospitals Malaysia (APHM) has called on the government to extend the July 1 implementation deadline, warning that the short notice does not allow sufficient time for private hospitals to make the necessary adjustments. The six per cent SST, announced as part of the government's effort to broaden the tax base, would apply specifically to services provided to non-citizens. In a statement released today, APHM acknowledged the government's economic objectives but stressed the need for a more practical timeline. It said hospitals would require adequate lead time to update administrative systems, adjust billing procedures and ensure full compliance with the new tax framework. 'Today, APHM sent a written request to the Finance Ministry (MOF) for a more practical timeline beyond the current July 1 implementation date. 'This is to allow smoother transition, minimise disruption to patient services and help ensure full compliance with the new requirements,' the statement read. The association also raised the need for further clarification on specific areas of the policy, including its treatment of professional fees, implications for foreign residents in Malaysia and other implementation details. Highlighting the vital role of private hospitals in Malaysia's healthcare system, APHM noted their contribution to both domestic care and international medical tourism. Malaysia was recently ranked among the top 10 global medical tourism destinations by Nomad Capitalist, with the sector projected to generate USD$2.7 billion annually by 2030. APHM reaffirmed its commitment to working collaboratively with the government to ensure sustainable implementation of the SST expansion. 'We will continue to engage constructively to help safeguard service continuity and uphold the standard of care, while supporting the Government's broader policy objectives,' the statement added. Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan - Photo by Bernama The expanded SST, announced by Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan, would take effect on July 1 and would include six new service categories: leasing, construction, finance, private healthcare, education, and beauty. Malaysians would remain exempted from SST on healthcare services, including traditional treatments such as Malay, Chinese, Indian and Islamic medicine, as well as allied health services like physiotherapy, audiology, and speech therapy. To support a smoother transition, the government has assured that no legal or punitive action will be taken against non-compliant businesses until Dec 31, 2025.
The Star
11-06-2025
- Health
- The Star
Private hospitals group urges Finance Ministry to postpone July 1 expanded SST implementation
PETALING JAYA: The Association of Private Hospitals Malaysia (APHM) has sent a written request to the Finance Ministry to delay the implementation of the expanded Sales and Service Tax (SST) for private healthcare services. It said a practical timeline beyond the current July 1 implementation would allow for a smoother transition and minimise disruption to patient services. "It will also help ensure full compliance with the new requirements," said APHM in a statement on Wednesday (June 11). APHM has also sought further clarification on the policy's application, including its impact on professional fee, its treatment of foreigners residing in Malaysia and other related implementation matters. "Private hospitals are an essential part of Malaysia's healthcare ecosystem, delivering quality care to both local and international patients. APHM said it remains committed to working collaboratively with the government to ensure effective and sustainable policy implementation. "We will continue to engage constructively to help safeguard service continuity and uphold the standard of care, while supporting the government's broader policy objectives," it added.
New Straits Times
11-06-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Private hospitals ask for more time to comply with SST expansion
KUALA LUMPUR: The Association of Private Hospitals Malaysia (APHM) has requested an extension for the compliance of the expanded Sales and Service Tax (SST), which is scheduled to come into effect on July 1. Under the new rules, private healthcare services provided to non-Malaysian patients will be subject to a 6 per cent SST. APHM said that while it supports the Government's plans to broaden the tax base to support economic growth, the short implementation timeframe poses "significant operational challenges". "Private hospitals would need sufficient lead time to adjust administrative systems, billing processes, and compliance procedures," APHM said in a statement. The association has submitted a written request to the Finance Ministry for a more practical timeline beyond July 1. "This is to allow a smoother transition, minimise disruption to patient services, and help ensure full compliance with the new requirements. "APHM has also sought further clarification on the policy's application, including its impact on professional fees, its treatment of foreigners residing in Malaysia, and other related implementation matters." APHM said that private hospitals are an essential part of Malaysia's healthcare ecosystem, with the country being recognised as one of the top 10 global destinations for medical tourism. "APHM remains committed to working collaboratively with the government to ensure effective and sustainable policy implementation."
The Star
10-06-2025
- Health
- The Star
Long, winding road towards DRG payment model rollout
KUALA LUMPUR: A proper rollout of the diagnosis-related group (DRG) payment model could take more than six months, given the complexities in data gathering and analysis, said Association of Private Hospitals Malaysia (APHM) president Datuk Dr Kuljit Singh. He said that for any DRG or any DRG-type mechanism to work, accurate clinical data and a national electronic health record system are needed. Presently, this foundational data is not yet available, which presents significant challenges for timely and effective DRG implementation, he added. 'As the process of gathering and analysing such data is complex and time-consuming, APHM anticipates that a proper rollout will require considerably more than six months,' said Dr Kuljit. He also said the APHM is heartened to hear Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad's announcement at the APHM International Healthcare Conference and Exhibition 2025 that a basic medical and health insurance/takaful (MHIT) product will be introduced later this year, while the DRG will be rolled out in phases. To support this national initiative, Dr Kuljit said APHM member hospitals have offered to share relevant clinical data required for the set-up of a DRG system with the Health Ministry and the Finance Ministry. 'APHM strongly advocates that adequate time and resources be allocated to ensure that the DRG initiative is thoroughly conceptualised, piloted and implemented to ultimately deliver sustainable improvements for all Malaysians,' added Dr Kuljit. Earlier, Dzulkefly said introducing DRGs to pay for healthcare services, in phases, beginning with MHIT products, will be a key driver for value-based healthcare.
