MOH reviews amendments to regulate private hospital fees beyond consultation charges, aiming to control healthcare cost inflation
KUALA LUMPUR: The Ministry of Health is reviewing amendments to the Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act 1998 to broaden its regulatory powers over private hospital charges.
Deputy Health Minister Datuk Lukanisman Awang Sauni said the move is crucial to control healthcare inflation, which also involves the Ministry of Finance, Bank Negara Malaysia and the insurance sector.
“We are studying appropriate amendments to extend Act 586’s scope of regulation,” he said in the Dewan Negara.
He stated the review aims to cover several charges beyond just consultation fees.
Lukanisman was responding to questions about government steps to amend the act to regulate non-professional charges.
He explained that the current Act 586 only regulates consultation and procedural fees, not medicine or equipment costs.
The ministry received 817 complaints last year and issued fines related to 188 charges.
These comprised 70 consultation fee violations, 48 procedural charge issues and 25 medicine cost complaints.
Members of the public overcharged on consultation fees can submit complaints via the MOH website or the Private Medical Practice Control Division.
Private facilities failing to comply with the fee schedule can face warning letters or fines.
The maximum fine upon conviction is RM5,000 for a sole proprietor and RM15,000 for organisations.
A show-cause notice for licence cancellation may also be issued in appropriate cases. – Bernama
