KUALA LUMPUR – The unpaid medical bills of foreigners in the country amount to RM40.08 million, said Deputy Health Minister Lukanisman Awang Sauni.
In his winding-up speech, he said that deposit payments would be collected from foreign patients based on their ward class prior to receiving treatment.
He was responding to Datuk Ahmad Yunus Hairi (Kuala Langat-PN), who had questioned the Sibuti MP about the measures being taken to recover unpaid treatment charges from foreigners.
“The deposit for Class 3 surgical procedures is RM2,800, while RM11,000 will be charged for Class 1,” he said.
He added that a bank guarantee agreement would be arranged with a private company to allow employees access to the hospital’s inpatient treatment facilities.
A deduction from the bank guarantee would be enforced should the company fail to settle its employees’ medical bills, he explained.
Lukanisman stated that the ministry is collaborating with the Immigration Department to require employers to contribute to a health insurance scheme for foreign workers known as “Spikpa”.
He also said that the ministry will collaborate with the UNHCR and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to assist with the financial costs of treatment for needy foreign patients.
The ministry will send payment reminders to those who owe money, including individuals, companies, NGOs, and statutory bodies, he said. – March 14, 2024