A Guide to Health Insurance for Malaysians Abroad
The World Bank Data estimated that at least 800,000 and up to 1.4 million Malaysians are currently living abroad. Popular destinations include Singapore and other Asian countries, as well as the United States of America, the United Kingdom, and Europe.
While healthcare in Malaysia is not universal, Malaysian citizens are accustomed to receiving good-quality healthcare (at least in urban areas) at a minimal cost. Public healthcare in Malaysia is subsidized, and a visit to a General Practitioner costs 10 USD or less.
Malaysia is renowned worldwide as one of the top medical tourism destinations in Asia and globally, and its healthcare services are considered of very high quality.
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- Find the right plan for your needs and budget
Malaysian Public Healthcare While Living Abroad
Generally, Malaysian health insurance does not cover you abroad when you travel outside of Malaysia. However, since the private healthcare system is a massive part of the overall Malaysian healthcare system in the country, many Malaysian citizens have in place a private medical plan.
If this plan is local, only covering you in Malaysia, then you won’t be able to use it abroad. If you have purchased international health insurance while living in Malaysia, depending on the policy’s terms and conditions, you may also be covered overseas.
Private Global Insurance for Malaysians Abroad
Malaysians living abroad should consider purchasing international health insurance to protect themselves from the high medical costs they may encounter abroad.
While the Malaysian healthcare system is comprehensive, of good quality, and heavily subsidized for its citizens, it doesn’t mean that Malaysians abroad can access other countries’ public healthcare systems on the same terms.
Having private health insurance is highly recommended for Malaysians living abroad. It is relatively easy to buy expat health insurance while living abroad. Expats can choose from multiple international health insurance providers and have the flexibility to select and customize coverage benefits and levels.
International health insurance plans are comprehensive in nature and extremely useful to those who do not stay in one place for the majority of the year.
In addition, many expats choose global health insurance so that they can also be covered in their home country, as receiving medical care in their country of origin is usually the preferred option for many due to the ease of communication and understanding of local processes.
Best Medical Insurance Plans for Malaysians Living Abroad
Cigna Global Insurance Plan
- Flexible plans tailored to your needs and budget
- 1.5M+ providers in 200+ countries
- 24/7 multilingual customer support
IMG Global Prima Medical Insurance
- Five flexible plan levels with optional add-ons
- Choose your coverage area based on where you live or travel
- Freedom to select your healthcare provider anywhere in the world
Healthcare and Insurance for Malaysians in the US
Malaysians arriving in the U.S. should be aware that the cost of healthcare in the U.S. is one of the highest in the world. In Malaysia, you have been accustomed to heavily subsidized healthcare, whereas in the U.S., there is no such thing, not even for U.S. citizens.
When choosing the best health insurance for Malaysians in the U.S., what’s extremely important is the medical provider’s network. Most hospitals and medical facilities in the U.S. are private, and what is quite unusual is that each hospital and medical center establishes its own pricing. This is not regulated on a national level.
Malaysians living in the U.S. should consult with an insurance broker when choosing private health insurance to understand the intricacies of U.S. health insurance for foreigners. Checking price lists or calling the hospital before accepting treatment is a good way to determine whether your benefit limits are sufficient for this particular medical facility.
Recommended Health Plan for Malaysians in the US
BCBS Global Solutions Worldwide Premier
- Unlimited annual and lifetime coverage
- Pre-existing conditions covered with prior insurance
- For U.S. citizens abroad or foreign nationals in the U.S.
Cost of Healthcare Overseas
In recent years, costs for private treatment in Malaysia have been rising for several reasons, including the country’s growing popularity as a medical tourism hub.
However, what Malaysians are accustomed to paying at home, even at a private hospital or clinic, will be less than what they may be charged in other countries known for more expensive healthcare services, such as Singapore, Hong Kong, many European Union countries, and the US.
When applying for an international health insurance policy, Malaysians abroad can choose between options to pay for the healthcare they receive abroad.
While private health insurance abroad can be expensive, many people choose to lower their premiums (cost of the health insurance policy) by agreeing to one or two of the options: copayments and deductibles.
A copayment is a form of sharing the costs of healthcare with your international insurance provider. For example, if your insurance policy has a copay (or co-insurance) clause of 10% and your medical bill amounts to $5,000, you will have to pay $500 out of your own pocket, and the insurer will cover the remaining $4,500 of the bill.
While this puts you in the position of paying an out-of-pocket part of the medical bill, a copay does lower your plan’s annual medical insurance premiums.
Another standard payment option within the private health insurance sector is the deductible. A deductible is an agreed-upon amount that you will pay out of pocket in a policy year before coverage kicks in. For example, if you have a $1,000 yearly deductible, you’ll need to pay the first $1,000 of your total eligible medical costs before your plan helps to pay.
After the deductible is reached, and depending on your plan, you either receive all further covered benefits paid in full, or the copayment scheme will apply.
One last thing to mention regarding private health insurance plans is direct billing. Direct billing is a payment method where a private hospital or clinic has partnered with an insurer to streamline the payment process, thereby facilitating your access to treatment.
This means that by showing your private medical insurance card, you don’t have to pay for the medical treatment upfront; the insurance provider and medical provider handle it directly, and you don’t need to spend time and stress dealing with health insurance reimbursement processes.
Alternative Medicine Abroad
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been a part of the Malaysian people’s health and well-being maintenance for many centuries. It is enrolled in the public healthcare system, which the government regulates.
While back at home in Malaysia, you may be accustomed to using Traditional Chinese Medicine services for your chosen ailments; however, access to TCM in other countries may be limited.
If you are a Malaysian expat living in another Asian country, your chances of finding a TCM practitioner there are higher than in Western countries.
You can check with your insurance provider to see if they offer Traditional Chinese Medicine benefits. However, it is not common for international health insurance plans to provide minimal Traditional Chinese Medicine benefits; most often, this is for chiropractic care or acupuncture.
Government Recommendations for Malaysians Abroad
Malaysia’s Government provides online information about its embassies and consulates worldwide.
The consular information provided by a specific country’s embassy includes travel advisory information, e-consular services, notices of halal restaurants, and processes for Malaysian citizens abroad in the event of a lost passport, reporting a missing person, and information and procedures in case of any emergency abroad.
The portal also lists all the news and information for Malaysians living abroad, including procedures such as the need to register for specific permits to return home and quarantine information.
Find the Best International Medical Insurance
- Compare multiple quotes from top insurers
- Get expert advice at no additional cost
- Find the right plan for your needs and budget
Joe Cronin, President of ICI, is a leading expert in international health, life, and travel insurance. An MBA and founder of multiple global businesses, he helps expatriates and travelers access trusted, comprehensive insurance solutions worldwide.
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