PRESS STATEMENT AMENDMENT TO THE THIRTEENTH SCHEDULE, PRIVATE HEALTHCARE FACILITIES AND SERVICES (PRIVATE HOSPITALS AND OTHER PRIVATE HEALTHCARE FACILITIES) REGULATIONS 2006 The Thirteenth Schadule of the Private Healthcare Facilities and Services (Private Hospitals and Other Private Healthcare Facilities) Regulations 2006 provides for the maximum chargeable fees for both registered medical and dental practitioners practicing in private hospitals in terms of their professional fees such as consultation and performance of procedures. In principle, these fees are based on the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) ‘Schedule of Fees 4" Edition 2002. The other comporents of the hospital charges such as fees for accommodation, laboratory investigations, nursing care, use of equipment and operation roorr, drugs used are not regulated due toby the varying costs in operating and maintaining a private hospital at different areas of the country, the total cost of medical treatment at a private hospital is relatively higher when compared with the total cost incurred in a public hospital which is highly subsidized by the Government. The fees for consukation and existing medical procedures had never been revised and had remained static since its introduction in 2002, with the view that these fees are considerably low when compared with other countries; the Ministry of Health was directed to review the Fee Schedule (Thirteenth Schedule) in September 2010. The increase of 14.4% in professional fees which was announced by the former Health Minister is based on Consumer price index (CPI) of Healthcare for the period of © years that is from year 2002 to 2010. This cecision was made after consulting various Ministries and relevant stakeholders and the fee revision was approved by the Cabinet on 12 October 2012,The country's heaitheare is more affordable than its counterpart in the region and with the overall safety, poltical stabilty, hospitality and attractive Packages reinforce to make Malaysia as a medical hub in the region Therefore, the Ministry of Health is of the view that the increase of 14.4% is more appropriate to form the basis forthe increase in professional fees which is lower than the 30% rate proposed by the Malaysian Medical Association The revised Thirteenth Schedule fee structure allows healthcare facilities to charge the stipulated maximum fee. However, the market are forces expected to determine the fees that facilities will impose within the ambit Prudent and discerning public encouraged to seek treatment at private facilities charging reasonable rates that are permitted by the recent amendments, Datuk Seri Dr. S. Subramaniam ‘Minister of Health Malaysia March 2014