MediAsas Starts in January. Can You Use EPF Savings to Pay?
Budget 2027 has clarified when MediAsas starts and how some Malaysians could pay for it. The RM200 subsidy, EPF option and tax relief are not the same thing.
3 November 2026
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The government has confirmed that MediAsas, its new basic medical insurance and takaful plan, is scheduled to launch nationwide in January 2027.
But after Budget 2027, the more useful question is this: who pays for it, and what help is available?
What's new since the pilot?
The plan was already being tested in the Klang Valley. Budget 2027 added three important details:
EPF option: Members below 55 will be allowed to pay MediAsas premiums from their Akaun Sejahtera.
RM200 SME subsidy: The government will subsidise RM200 of the first-year premium per employee for participating SMEs with fewer than 75 workers, covering up to 50 employees per company.
Tax relief: MediAsas premiums will be eligible for income tax relief, including cover bought for yourself and immediate family members.
The government says the SME measure could benefit up to 200,000 workers. It has also allocated RM40 million for the vouchers.
Does that mean MediAsas is free?
No. MediAsas is voluntary, paid medical insurance or takaful, not free government healthcare.
The RM200 is a first-year contribution towards an eligible worker's premium, not RM200 paid into every Malaysian's bank account. Details on participating employers, claims and the application process still need to be confirmed.
The EPF option is different. It lets you use some money already in your retirement savings. It could make monthly cash flow easier, but those savings are then no longer available for retirement.
Tax relief is different again. It may reduce your taxable income if you qualify. It is not a refund of the full premium.
So how much will the plan cost?
The Bank Negara Malaysia MediAsas overview gives an indicative monthly premium range of RM60 to RM550, depending on the plan and individual circumstances.
That is not the final price list. Bank Negara says final product features and pricing will be released when MediAsas launches.
The important comparison is not just the monthly premium. You should also check the annual coverage limit, the amount you must pay yourself when admitted, and which hospitals are in the panel.
If you already have a medical card, do not cancel it simply because MediAsas is coming. Wait for the final benefits, pricing, exclusions and hospital list, then compare like for like.
If you have no private medical cover, January 2027 may bring another option worth comparing. It will not necessarily be the right choice for everyone.
The real test is straightforward: will the monthly cost remain manageable, and could you afford the amount you still have to pay when you get sick?
As of 3 November 2026, the national launch and support measures are announced, but final plan prices and participation details are not yet published. The Budget 2027 speech and Bank Negara's Budget details explain the measures.
Kerajaan mengesahkan bahawa MediAsas, pelan asas insurans dan takaful perubatan baharu, dijadualkan dilancarkan di seluruh negara pada Januari 2027.
Namun selepas Belanjawan 2027, persoalan yang lebih berguna ialah: siapa perlu membayar dan bantuan apa yang tersedia?
Apa yang baharu selepas program perintis?
MediAsas sudah diuji di Lembah Klang. Belanjawan 2027 mengumumkan tiga perkara penting:
Pilihan KWSP: Ahli berumur bawah 55 tahun dibenarkan membayar premium MediAsas menggunakan Akaun Sejahtera.
Subsidi RM200 untuk PKS: Kerajaan menyediakan subsidi RM200 bagi premium tahun pertama setiap pekerja untuk PKS yang layak dan mempunyai kurang 75 pekerja, terhad kepada 50 pekerja setiap syarikat.
Pelepasan cukai: Premium MediAsas layak mendapat pelepasan cukai pendapatan, termasuk bagi perlindungan diri sendiri dan ahli keluarga terdekat.
Kerajaan menjangkakan sehingga 200,000 pekerja boleh mendapat manfaat daripada langkah PKS itu. Peruntukan RM40 juta turut diumumkan bagi baucar tersebut.
Jadi MediAsas percuma?
Tidak. MediAsas ialah insurans atau takaful perubatan berbayar dan secara sukarela, bukannya rawatan percuma oleh kerajaan.
RM200 itu ialah bantuan untuk premium tahun pertama pekerja yang layak. Ia bukan wang RM200 yang dimasukkan ke dalam akaun setiap rakyat Malaysia. Butiran tentang majikan yang mengambil bahagian dan proses permohonan masih perlu diperjelaskan.
Pilihan KWSP pula berbeza. Anda menggunakan sebahagian daripada simpanan persaraan sendiri. Aliran tunai bulanan mungkin lebih ringan, tetapi simpanan persaraan juga berkurang.
Pelepasan cukai juga berbeza. Ia mungkin mengurangkan pendapatan yang dikenakan cukai sekiranya anda layak. Ia bukan bayaran balik penuh premium.
Ini bukan senarai harga akhir. Ciri produk dan harga muktamad dijangka diumumkan ketika pelancaran.
Jangan bandingkan premium bulanan sahaja. Perhatikan juga had perlindungan tahunan, jumlah yang perlu anda bayar ketika dimasukkan ke hospital, dan hospital panel yang tersedia.
Jika anda sudah mempunyai kad perubatan, jangan batalkannya semata-mata kerana MediAsas bakal diperkenalkan. Tunggu harga, manfaat, pengecualian dan senarai hospital yang muktamad dahulu.
Jika anda belum mempunyai perlindungan perubatan swasta, MediAsas mungkin menjadi satu lagi pilihan mulai Januari 2027. Tetapi ia tidak semestinya sesuai untuk semua orang.
Ukuran sebenarnya mudah: mampukah anda membayar premium secara berterusan, dan mampukah anda menanggung bahagian bil sendiri apabila sakit?
Setakat 3 November 2026, tarikh pelancaran dan langkah bantuan telah diumumkan, tetapi harga akhir serta butiran penyertaan belum diterbitkan. Rujuk ucapan Belanjawan 2027 dan maklumat lanjut Bank Negara.
