What Is MediAsas? Malaysia’s New Medical Insurance Plan

Introduction

Medical insurance has become more expensive as healthcare costs continue to rise. Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM), together with the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Finance and industry stakeholders, is introducing MediAsas, a standardised medical insurance and takaful plan designed to make basic private healthcare protection more accessible.

However, MediAsas is currently in a pilot programme, which started at the end of July 2026. BNM plans to launch MediAsas nationwide in January 2027.

You may have seen MediAsas described online as a “RM65 medical insurance plan”. However, it is important to understand that RM65 should not be treated as a guaranteed nationwide premium. BNM says final product features and pricing will be published closer to the 2027 launch.

So, what exactly is MediAsas, how does it work and how much could you have to pay yourself?

What Is MediAsas?

MediAsas is a voluntary, standalone medical insurance and takaful plan under Malaysia’s Medical and Health Insurance/Takaful (MHIT) framework.

It is designed to provide essential medical protection, particularly for people who:

• Do not currently have medical insurance or takaful
• Want a more affordable medical protection option
• Are looking for an alternative because their existing medical plan has become more expensive
• Already have employer medical benefits but want additional personal protection

MediAsas is not a government medical card or mandatory social insurance scheme. It is offered through participating insurers and takaful operators.

It is also not linked to an investment product.

For a simple explanation of how MediAsas differs from the broader MHIT category, see our guide on MediAsas and MHIT in Malaysia.

MediAsas Teras vs MediAsas Fleksi

The 2026 pilot has two main options:

• MediAsas Teras
• MediAsas Fleksi

Both are designed to provide essential private medical protection, but their annual limits and out-of-pocket costs are different.

MediAsas Teras

MediAsas Teras is the standard option.

Under the 2026 pilot:

• Annual limit: RM100,000 for ages 0–59
• Annual limit increases to RM150,000 from age 60
• Deductible: RM500 per disability for ages 0–59
• Deductible: RM1,000 per disability from age 60
• In-network hospital: no additional co-insurance
• Out-of-network hospital: 20% co-insurance, capped at RM3,000 per disability

BNM and participating providers may update these features before the nationwide launch.

MediAsas Fleksi

In contrast, MediAsas Fleksi is designed for people who want a higher annual limit but are willing to pay more upfront when they need treatment.

Under the 2026 pilot:

• Annual limit: RM300,000
• Deductible: RM10,000 at a Preferred In-Network Provider
• Deductible: RM15,000 at an out-of-network provider

This option may be more suitable for someone who already has employer medical benefits or other medical coverage and mainly wants protection against larger medical expenses.

How Much Do You Pay Out of Pocket?

Your out-of-pocket cost depends on your MediAsas plan and where you receive treatment.

For example, under the 2026 pilot, a person below age 60 with MediAsas Teras may have a RM500 deductible.

At a Preferred In-Network Provider, the person would generally pay the RM500 deductible for an eligible treatment episode, with no additional co-insurance under the pilot structure.

At an out-of-network provider, the same RM500 deductible applies, followed by 20% co-insurance capped at RM3,000 per disability.

For example, if an eligible hospital bill is RM10,000:

• Deductible: RM500
• Remaining bill: RM9,500
• 20% co-insurance: RM1,900
• Total out-of-pocket cost: RM2,400

This example assumes the plan covers the full bill in this example and is based on the 2026 pilot structure. Actual claims depend on the policy or takaful certificate and applicable terms.

What Does MediAsas Cover?

MediAsas is designed to cover essential medical treatment at private healthcare facilities, subject to the plan’s terms, annual limits and exclusions.

The core benefits include areas such as:

• Hospital room and board
• Surgery
• Intensive care
• Hospital supplies and services
• Operating theatre fees
• Anaesthetist fees
• In-hospital doctor visits
• Ambulance fees
• Day surgery
• Pre-hospitalisation treatment
• Post-hospitalisation treatment
• Selected outpatient treatment

The 2026 pilot also includes selected outpatient treatment for conditions such as dengue, bronchitis, influenza A and B, and pneumonia or bronchopneumonia, subject to the applicable limits and terms.

However, MediAsas does not mean every medical bill will be paid in full.

Your deductible, co-insurance, annual limit, exclusions and other policy conditions can affect how much you need to pay.

What Is Not Covered?

MediAsas has exclusions, just like other medical insurance and takaful products.

Check the latest policy wording for the exact exclusions and terms or takaful certificate.

Examples of areas that may be excluded or subject to specific conditions include:

• Pre-existing conditions
• Certain mental health or nervous system treatments
• Maternity-related treatment
• Dental treatment
• Cosmetic procedures
• Alternative treatments
• Treatment that falls outside the plan’s defined benefits

Do not rely only on a list of exclusions found online. Refer to the final policy or takaful certificate when deciding whether a particular treatment is covered.

You can also read our guide on MediAsas exclusions before buying.

What About Pre-Existing Conditions?

Pre-existing medical conditions are an important area to understand before applying.

BNM’s base-plan design includes a more standardised approach to underwriting prior medical conditions, with the aim of improving access to protection for people with stable and well-managed conditions.

However, the exact treatment of pre-existing conditions, waiting periods and underwriting requirements depends on the final product terms.

Do not assume that an existing medical condition will automatically be covered.

Always check the latest policy or takaful certificate before making a decision.

Is There a Waiting Period?

The 2026 pilot includes waiting periods and other conditions that determine when certain benefits can be claimed.

However, because MediAsas is still in its pilot phase, it is better not to treat an online waiting-period summary as the final nationwide rule.

Before purchasing, check the latest terms provided by the participating insurer or takaful operator.

Is the RM65 Premium Confirmed?

No.

This is one of the most important points to understand.

MediAsas has often been described as a RM65 medical insurance plan, but BNM currently describes the premiums as an indicative target range rather than a single nationwide fixed price.

For example, BNM’s January 2026 white paper gives different indicative premium ranges depending on age and whether the standard or standard-plus plan is selected.

BNM also states that final premium rates will be announced closer to the 2027 launch and may take into account updated claims experience, medical costs and other pricing factors.

So, avoid assuming that everyone will pay exactly RM65 per month.

MediAsas vs a Regular Medical Card

MediAsas is intended to provide a more affordable baseline of private medical protection.

However, it does not necessarily provide the same level of coverage as a more comprehensive medical card.

Feature	MediAsas	Other Medical Plans
Purpose	Basic private medical protection	Can provide broader protection
Annual limit	Pilot: up to RM300,000 depending on plan	Depends on insurer
Deductible	Applies under the pilot	Depends on policy
Co-payment	Applies depending on plan/provider	Depends on policy
Hospital network	Preferred network available	Depends on insurer
Investment-linked	No	Some plans may be
Coverage	Standardised core benefits	Varies by product

MediAsas is therefore better viewed as an additional affordable option, rather than a replacement for every existing medical card.

Should You Cancel Your Existing Medical Card for MediAsas?

Not necessarily.

If you already have a medical card, compare the two plans carefully before cancelling your existing coverage.

Look at:

• Annual limit
• Deductible
• Co-payment
• Hospital network
• Pre-existing conditions
• Waiting periods
• Coverage exclusions
• Outpatient benefits
• Cancer treatment coverage
• Lifetime limits, if applicable
• Premium or takaful contribution

Cancelling an existing medical policy can also create problems if you later need to apply for new coverage and your health condition has changed.

Read our guide on whether cancelling an old medical card for MediAsas is worth it.

When Will MediAsas Be Available Nationwide?

MediAsas is currently undergoing a pilot programme.

The pilot began at the end of July 2026 and is being used to test the customer journey, operational processes and implementation before the wider launch.

The nationwide rollout is currently planned for January 2027.

The pilot should not be treated as the final version of MediAsas. BNM says the findings from the pilot may lead to changes before the nationwide launch.

How Bjak Can Help

MediAsas is one option within Malaysia’s wider medical insurance and takaful market.

If you are comparing your options, it is useful to understand how a standardised plan such as MediAsas compares with other medical insurance products.

You can explore medical insurance options on Bjak and compare the type of protection, limits and benefits available.

If you are specifically interested in MediAsas, you can also learn more about MediAsas and MHIT.

Conclusion

MediAsas is an important new development in Malaysia’s medical insurance and takaful market.

It is designed to give more Malaysians access to basic private healthcare protection at a more affordable level.

However, the RM65 figure should not be treated as a guaranteed final nationwide premium. MediAsas is still in its 2026 pilot phase, and BNM has said that final pricing and product details will be published closer to the planned January 2027 launch.

Before choosing MediAsas, look beyond the monthly premium.

Understand the annual limit, deductible, co-payment, hospital network, exclusions and other out-of-pocket costs. Most importantly, compare it with your existing medical coverage before cancelling or switching plans.