{"id":70810,"date":"2026-08-24T15:15:21","date_gmt":"2026-08-24T07:15:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.imoney.my\/articles\/?p=70810"},"modified":"2026-08-24T15:15:21","modified_gmt":"2026-08-24T07:15:21","slug":"decoding-bnm-mediasas-medical-framework","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.imoney.my\/articles\/decoding-bnm-mediasas-medical-framework","title":{"rendered":"Decoding BNM\u2019s New “MediAsas” Medical Framework"},"content":{"rendered":"

Malaysia’s medical insurance landscape is getting a new baseline product, and it comes with a name most people are still learning to pronounce.<\/span><\/p>\n

MediAsas, <\/span>Bank Negara Malaysia’s (BNM) government-designed medical and health insurance\/takaful (MHIT) plan<\/span><\/a>, entered its pilot phase in the Klang Valley on 29 July 2026, with a nationwide rollout targeted for January 2027. If you’ve seen headlines about a \u201cRM65 medical card,\u201d here’s what the framework actually covers, and what it doesn’t.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span>What is MediAsas?<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

MediAsas is a standalone medical insurance and takaful plan that isn’t bundled with any investment product, covering pre-hospitalisation, hospitalisation, post-hospitalisation, and select outpatient treatments up to age 85. It comes in two variants: MediAsas Teras, the standard plan, and MediAsas Fleksi, an enhanced option with a higher deductible for broader coverage. The initiative sits under the RESET framework, a national strategy led by the Joint Ministerial Committee on Private Healthcare Costs to address rising private healthcare costs and medical inflation.<\/span><\/p>\n

This isn’t a government-run social insurance scheme. Premiums are paid entirely by policyholders, and claims are settled by participating insurers and takaful operators, without any government funding involved. Malaysians can, however, use their EPF Account Sejahtera savings to pay premiums.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span>Why did BNM introduce it?<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

Medical inflation in Malaysia reportedly rose by around 15% in 2024 alone, pushing many middle-income earners out of conventional medical insurance. MediAsas was built as a more affordable entry point for people with no coverage, as well as those whose existing plans have become too costly to renew as they age. BNM expects the product to serve as a benchmark for other medical insurance and takaful products, and potentially influence how insurers price their wider offerings.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span>How much does it cost, and what does it cover?<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

Premiums are expected to range from roughly RM60 to RM550 a month, with enrolment open to those up to age 70 and coverage running until age 85. The two variants differ mainly in annual limits and cost-sharing:<\/span><\/p>\n