Malaysia is rolling out a standardised, low-cost health insurance and takaful plan aimed at the millions of Malaysians who cannot afford private cover. Here is exactly what MediAsas costs, what it covers, what it excludes, and who can sign up.
MediAsas at a glance, original SEA Exchange graphic. Insert the official MediAsas / Bank Negara Malaysia logo from official press materials before publication.
In brief
- MediAsas is a government-coordinated basic health insurance and takaful product overseen by Bank Negara Malaysia.
- Indicative premiums start from around RM60 a month, with annual coverage of RM100,000 to RM300,000 depending on the tier.
- A pilot began in late July 2026; nationwide public launch is scheduled for January 2027.
- It is designed to complement, not replace, Malaysia’s public healthcare system.
What is MediAsas?
MediAsas is a standardised basic medical and health insurance/takaful (MHIT) product, coordinated by Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) and offered through a panel of licensed insurers and takaful operators. It was developed under the working name Base MHIT before the government adopted the “MediAsas” name in mid-2026.
The plan is built for one specific gap in the market: Malaysians who are uninsured or underinsured because conventional private medical insurance has become too expensive. By standardising a no-frills product across insurers and keeping the entry premium low, the scheme aims to bring first-time buyers into private health cover while easing pressure on public hospitals. It sits within the government’s broader RESET healthcare-financing reforms.
Why MediAsas matters now
Medical costs in Malaysia have been climbing well above regional averages, medical claims inflation ran at roughly 15% in 2024, against an Asia-Pacific average closer to 10%. That trend has pushed standalone private medical insurance out of reach for many middle-income households, even as public hospitals face growing demand.
MediAsas is the government and central bank’s structural response: a floor-level product with predictable, capped pricing that eligible Malaysians can buy. For a media and business audience, it is also a signal of where Malaysia’s healthcare-financing policy is heading toward a layered system in which a standardised private base plan sits alongside universal public coverage.
How much does MediAsas cost?
Indicative premiums start from approximately RM60 a month for the basic tier and scale up to around RM550 a month, depending on the plan chosen and the policyholder’s age. Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad has said the basic range “will start at around RM65, depending on the type of product,” and stressed that the plan is intended to be affordable. Bank Negara Malaysia’s own pilot FAQ instead lists the basic tier from around RM60 a month, which is the figure used in this article. Final national-launch pricing has not yet been published, so RM60 is a starting reference point rather than a universal rate.
Importantly, BNM has cautioned that premiums or contributions are not guaranteed and may be revised over time with at least 30 days’ written notice, a standard feature of medical insurance, where claims costs rise with age and inflation.
MediAsas Teras vs MediAsas Fleksi: the two tiers
MediAsas is structured into two tiers, a basic plan (Teras) and a higher-limit flexible plan (Fleksi).
Two tiers, two trade-offs. Source: Bank Negara Malaysia pilot terms.
| Feature | MediAsas Teras (Basic) | MediAsas Fleksi (Higher) |
| Annual coverage limit | RM100,000 (ages 0–59) RM150,000 (age 60+) | RM300,000 |
| Deductible | RM500 per disability (0–59) RM1,000 (age 60+) | RM10,000–RM15,000 per year |
| Out-of-network | 20% co-insurance, capped at RM3,000 | No copayment waivers for emergencies |
| Best suited to | First-time buyers wanting affordable core protection | Those wanting higher limits and lower per-claim caps |
What MediAsas covers and excludes
As a hospitalisation-focused base plan, MediAsas is built around inpatient and major-treatment costs rather than routine outpatient care. It carries a list of 35 exclusions, broadly in line with those already common in the private market.
Covered vs excluded. Source: BNM MediAsas FAQ / CodeBlue.
| The pre-existing conditions nuance: read this carefully. MediAsas excludes pre-existing conditions; it does not waive them. What it adds is a seven-year “no look-back” provision: after seven continuous years of coverage, an insurer generally cannot reject a claim on grounds of non-disclosure or misrepresentation, unless it can show the non-disclosure was fraudulent, deliberate or reckless. Even then, certain pre-defined serious conditions (cancers, end-stage organ failure, major cardiovascular conditions, and some neurological and autoimmune disorders) remain contestable beyond seven years if they existed before enrolment or surfaced within the first 30 days. In short: MediAsas is not a guaranteed-acceptance plan for people who are already ill. |
Waiting periods
Two standard waiting periods apply from the start of cover: 120 days for specified illnesses, and 30 days for general medical and physical conditions (accidental injuries are excluded from the waiting period).
Who can apply for MediAsas?
MediAsas is open to Malaysians aged 0 to 70 at entry, and policies are renewable up to age 85. During the pilot phase, entry has been limited to those aged 16 to 70 holding a valid MyKad. All applicants must complete a full health-disclosure questionnaire, a point that reinforces the pre-existing-condition rules above.
Which insurers offer MediAsas?
Six participating insurers and takaful operators are offering the standardised product:
- AIA Berhad
- Allianz Life Insurance Malaysia
- Etiqa Family Takaful
- Great Eastern Life Assurance
- Prudential BSN Takaful
- Syarikat Takaful Malaysia Keluarga
Because the core product is standardised by BNM, the plan’s essential terms are intended to be broadly comparable across all six providers, with independent oversight planned to monitor pricing and conduct.
Timeline: pilot to national rollout
A pilot with six insurers and selected private hospitals began in late July 2026 (BNM FAQ dated 29 July 2026); the nationwide public launch is scheduled for January 2027.
Does MediAsas replace public healthcare?
No. Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad has been explicit that MediAsas “does not replace but complements the public healthcare system, which will continue to provide universal health coverage for all Malaysians.” The plan is best understood as an affordable private layer sitting on top of the public safety net, not a substitute for it.
MediAsas: Frequently Asked Questions
Is MediAsas compulsory?
No. MediAsas is a voluntary product. It is aimed at Malaysians who currently have no private cover or who have been priced out of conventional plans, but no one is required to buy it.
Can I use MediAsas at any hospital?
Cover is strongest within the insurer’s panel. Under the basic Teras tier, out-of-network treatment carries a 20% co-insurance charge, capped at RM3,000 per claim, on top of the standard deductible.
How do I pay for MediAsas?
Premiums are paid monthly. The government has also indicated that eligible contributions may be paid from EPF savings via the Akaun Sejahtera, alongside standard cash payment, final payment mechanics are being confirmed ahead of the 2027 launch.
What happens to my premium as I get older?
Premiums rise with age, and BNM has stated they are not guaranteed and can be revised with at least 30 days’ notice. Deductibles also step up from age 60 under the Teras tier.
Is MediAsas the same as the old “Base MHIT” plan?
Yes. “Base MHIT” was the development name; MediAsas is the branded name for the same standardised base medical and health insurance/takaful product.
Does MediAsas cover outpatient or clinic visits?
MediAsas is designed primarily around hospitalisation and major treatment. Routine outpatient and clinic care is not the plan’s focus, so buyers should not expect it to function like a comprehensive outpatient plan.
Sources
- Malay Mail, MediAsas explained: The RM60 health insurance lifeline coming to Malaysia in 2027
- CodeBlue (Galen Centre), MediAsas Doesn’t Cover Pre-Existing Conditions, Seven Years Before ‘No Look-Back’: BNM FAQ
- The Rakyat Post, BNM’s MediAsas Aimed At Uninsured Malaysians Lists 35 Exclusions
- The Star, Proposed MediAsas health insurance plan to start with basic RM60 monthly premium
- The Edge Malaysia, Govt to launch base-medical insurance plan; monthly premiums from RM60
- New Straits Times, MediAsas to complement, not replace, public healthcare system, Dzulkefly
- Ministry of Finance Malaysia, JBMKKS Advances RESET Strategy with MediAsas Pilot Programme
This explainer is for general information only and reflects details announced during the MediAsas pilot phase as of 16 August 2026. Terms, pricing and conditions may change before the January 2027 launch. It is not financial or medical advice; confirm current details with Bank Negara Malaysia or a participating insurer before making any decision.
