00:00Should you get Mediasas?
00:02Medical insurance is getting more expensive, making private healthcare harder to afford.
00:08The government's answer to this is Mediasas, a basic medical insurance and takaful plan.
00:14But does cheaper insurance mean enough protection when you end up in hospital?
00:20So what do you get?
00:22Mediasas has two plans, Teras and Flexi.
00:25Teras offers annual coverage of RM100,000 for those below 60 and RM150,000 for those aged 60 and above.
00:35Flexi offers up to RM300,000 a year.
00:39So estimated premiums range from RM60 to RM550 a month depending on your age and plan.
00:46These are facts based on the pilot run but we can only confirm the final prices and benefits when it
00:53is rolled out in January 2027.
00:57So Mediasas excludes pre-existing conditions, pregnancy and childbirth, mental health conditions, congenital disorders, cosmetic procedures and certain experimental treatments.
01:08So how will it keep the cost down?
01:11One measure is the diagnosis related groups or DRG which will be introduced in stages next year.
01:19Instead of charging separately for every item, hospitals receive a set payment based on the patient's illnesses and how complex
01:27the treatment is.
01:28The aim is to control costs and making hospital charges more predictable.
01:34But this does not guarantee lower hospital bills or insurance premiums.
01:39What about cancer treatment?
01:41Mediasas covers eligible outpatient cancer treatment subject to the plan's terms and annual limit.
01:48Under the pilot rules, Teras waives the applicable co-payment for this treatment.
01:52However, not every cancer drug, treatment or related expense is covered.
01:59Exclusions and rules on pre-existing conditions still apply.
02:03For patients who need long-term treatment, these limits could affect how much they have to pay themselves.
02:09So Mediasas could help people without insurance or those struggling with rising premiums.
02:15But cheaper insurance does not always mean better protection.
02:19So before signing up, check the coverage limit, out-of-pocket costs, hospital network and benefits.
02:26Ultimately, what matters is not just the monthly premium, but how much the policy pays when you need treatment.
