PETALING JAYA: More people are finding ways to cut their hospital bills at private healthcare facilities, failing which they turn to government healthcare facilities.
Stage Three Breast Cancer patient Cecilia Lim, 51, from Kepong, said that she finds it cheaper to buy her medicines from pharmacies.
“Even my doctor at a private hospital I go to advised me to do so, as my insurance does not cover some of the prescribed supplements.
“I also get some tests, such as blood tests, done at the community pharmacies, as private hospitals’ charges for some of these tests are high, even when you have a guarantee letter from the insurance provider.
“At the end of the day, at times, there are some fine prints in the guarantee letter that are not covered, and I end up paying more,” said Lim, who is an accountant.
Another cancer patient, 48-year-old Munira Yusoff, said she switched to government hospitals from private healthcare as the prices were too costly.
“Government hospitals are affordable. We should always have a choice as consumers – whether or not we have health insurance (to either visit government healthcare facilities or private ones). I choose government hospitals now because I cannot afford private hospital fees,” said Munira.
Teng Pek Li, 70, who suffered a minor stroke that impacted her vision, is now torn between continuing her treatment at a private hospital, going to a government hospital, or discontinuing treatment entirely.
“I decided to get treatment at a private hospital, choosing the one closest to my home because I have insurance coverage. Each treatment requires a one-day admission and an injection, costing approximately RM3,500 to RM4,000. My insurance covered 90% of the costs, while I had to pay the remaining 10%, which amounted to RM350 to RM400 per visit.
“Initially, the treatment was once every two months. After two years of treatment, the frequency decreased to once every three months. However, as insurance premiums are almost doubled for older folk like me, I am considering whether to continue the treatment,” said Teng, a mother of four who now relies on her children to get by financially.
She said that the doctors mentioned that should she decide not to use her health insurance for her treatments, there is an option for cheaper medicines which she can afford.
“I might stop the treatment. For now, my insurance premium is RM700 per month. If it increases to RM1,200, I think I should stop.
“Furthermore, the interval between treatments has now extended to once every six months,” said Teng, who is from Gelugor, Penang.
James Maniyam, 43, from Klang, who has three children, said private healthcare facilities have become too costly for him.
“Not all of us have the convenience of time to go and queue at the government hospitals whenever we get sick. But the rising cost of living has forced me to do so now, especially after what happened last year.
“My 14-year-old son was involved in a bike accident, and I had to choose between going to a private hospital that will attend to him immediately or going and waiting at the government hospital.
“I chose the former. I did not have insurance for my children, and the bill came up to RM16,000 for a week’s stay to treat a broken leg and insert a metal piece. I had to borrow from family and friends to settle the bill. One year later, I am still paying for it,” said James, who works as a clerk.
