What is MoH doing about RM36m in outstanding foreign patient debt?

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Ministry of Health Reviewing Fee Collection for Foreign Patients Amid Outstanding Debts

The Ministry of Health (MoH) is undertaking a comprehensive review of its fee collection procedures for foreign nationals receiving treatment at its facilities. This initiative is prompted by a significant outstanding debt of RM36.24 million owed by non-citizens as of September. The ministry is actively reassessing current deposit and bank guarantee protocols to ensure that the collected amounts adequately cover the full spectrum of treatment costs.
Outstanding Debt Reduction Through Recovery Actions

Between December 2023 and September, the MoH successfully recovered RM3.84 million of the outstanding medical bills. This represents a 9.58% decrease in the total amount owed by foreigners, bringing the figure down from RM40.08 million to the current RM36.24 million. This reduction was achieved through dedicated efforts to pursue and collect these overdue payments.
Reassessment of Deposit and Bank Guarantee Rates

The ministry is critically examining the existing rates and collection procedures for deposits and bank guarantees. The objective is to establish a revised framework where the collected sums are demonstrably sufficient to offset the expenses incurred by treating foreign patients. This review aims to enhance the financial safeguards in place for public healthcare services.
Collaboration with Private Firms for Inpatient Services

In addressing the issue, particularly concerning inpatient treatment, the MoH has established agreements with private firms. These arrangements mandate that private companies must arrange for a bank guarantee to be provided to the ministry. The amount of this guarantee is contingent upon the number of workers employed by the company, with a specified example being RM2,500 for companies with 200 workers or fewer.
Mechanism for Bill Settlement and Guarantee Deduction

Under these agreements, if a private company fails to settle a medical bill for its workers within the stipulated timeframe, the outstanding amount will be directly deducted from the provided bank guarantee. This mechanism is designed to ensure that the ministry can recover costs even in instances of non-payment by the responsible entity.

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What is MoH doing about RM36m in outstanding foreign patient debt?

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