The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) has renewed its call for a periodic adjustment of private general practitioner (GP) fees, following a 20-year freeze that has left consultation rates unchanged since 2006. This discussion has sparked debate on how to ensure fair compensation for medical professionals while maintaining affordable healthcare access for the public.
The Case for a Fee Adjustment
MMA President Dr. Azizan Abdul Aziz has emphasized that private GP fees should be adjusted by at least 10% every two years, aligning with inflation and rising operational costs. According to the MMA, the last official consultation fee revision was made in 2006, despite increasing costs in rent, wages, medical supplies, and compliance with regulatory requirements.
Dr. Azizan highlighted that many private GPs have struggled to sustain their practices, and some have even closed their clinics due to financial constraints. The MMA believes that a structured and periodic fee revision would ensure a sustainable private healthcare system while preventing sudden price surges in the future.
(Source: New Straits Times)
Proposed 70% Increase: A Long Overdue Change?
Beyond the 10% periodic adjustment proposal, there have also been calls for an immediate 70% hike in private GP fees to compensate for the two-decade freeze. Currently, private GP consultation fees range between RM10 to RM35, a rate significantly lower than what is recommended in the 2013 Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act (PHFSA), which suggested a consultation fee range of RM35 to RM125. However, these recommendations have not been enforced.
MMA argues that if fees had been incrementally adjusted over the years, the need for a drastic hike would not have arisen. Instead, doctors are now calling for an urgent correction to bridge the gap between actual service value and regulated fees.
(Source: New Straits Times)
How Do Other Countries Regulate Private GP Fees?
In comparison, some countries have structured mechanisms to adjust private GP fees in response to inflation and healthcare costs:
- Singapore: The Ministry of Health provides fee benchmarks for private consultations and medical procedures, updated periodically to reflect economic conditions.
- Australia: The Australian Medical Association reviews consultation fees annually and recommends adjustments based on operational costs.
- United Kingdom: The National Health Service (NHS) sets standard consultation rates for private GPs, ensuring affordability while maintaining fair compensation for doctors.
Balancing Affordability and Sustainability
While adjustments to GP fees are necessary for sustaining private healthcare services, the challenge remains in balancing fair remuneration for doctors with ensuring affordability for patients. The Malaysian government has yet to announce a formal stance on these proposals, but discussions continue among stakeholders on the best way forward.
A structured, incremental fee adjustment system could provide a long-term solution that benefits both healthcare providers and the public, preventing abrupt increases while ensuring sustainability in private healthcare services.
What do you think? Should private GP fees in Malaysia be adjusted incrementally? Share your thoughts!
