Maintaining RM10 GP Fee Floor Risks TPAs Undercutting Doctors: MMA

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 10 — The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) today protested against the government’s decision to maintain the floor rate of RM10 for private general practitioners’ (GP) consultation fees.

Although Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced an increase in the GP fee ceiling from RM35 to RM80 during the tabling of Budget 2026 in Parliament, the doctors’ group said maintaining the RM10 minimum fee, unchanged since the 1992 MMA fee schedule, was “deeply disappointing”.

“The MMA has long called for a RM50 minimum, as over 60 per cent of patients come through TPAs (third-party administrators) and companies that pay below RM35,” said MMA president Dr R. Arasu in a statement today.

“With over 10,000 clinics nationwide, this low floor risks worsening undercutting and financial strain, rendering the model unsustainable in the near future.”

Anwar said in his Budget speech earlier today that the minimum RM10 rate was maintained to avoid burdening the people.

The issue of TPAs and health insurance interfering with doctors’ clinical decisions has recently entered public discourse. 

MMA also told the government not to rush implementation of the diagnosis-related groups (DRG) payment model.

“Strong data, proper planning, and meaningful stakeholder engagement are essential to avoid unintended outcomes and ensure long-term success.”

The doctors’ group further expressed concern with the government’s proposed use of Malaysians’ Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) savings to pay premiums for a new basic medical and health insurance/takaful (MHIT) product.

“The EPF is intended to safeguard retirement security, and diverting these funds may affect long-term financial wellbeing — which is closely tied to health outcomes. Any such policy must be carefully assessed to avoid unintended consequences, especially for vulnerable groups,” said Dr Arasu.

Anwar announced in his Budget speech that a funding pool of RM60 million between government and industry will introduce an affordable MHIT product and implement DRG to curb medical inflation.