KUALA LUMPUR: The outstanding amount of unpaid medical fees from foreigners in the country amounted to RM40.08 million in 2023.
Deputy Health Minister Datuk Lukanisman Awang Sauni said to address the issue, the Health Ministry has taken several steps, including collecting deposits from foreign patients according to their ward class before treatment is given.
"The deposit for surgeries for those in class three is RM2,800, while for class one is RM11,000.
"We will also establish bank guarantee agreements with private companies to enable employees to receive in-hospital medical treatment facilities.
"Bank guarantee deductions will be enforced if the company fails to settle its employees' medical bills," he said during his winding-up speech on the royal address debate in Parliament today.
Lukanisman added that the Health Ministry would collaborate with the Immigration Department to make it compulsory for employers to contribute to the Foreign Workers' Health Insurance Protection Scheme.
The ministry would also work together with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) that want to help finance medical expenses of foreign patients who cannot afford them.
"We will also issue a payment demand notice to individuals, companies, NGOs and statutory bodies with outstanding dues to the Health Ministry," he added.
