Have you been overpaying medical fees?
We have compiled a price list for medical treatments to help consumers
Did you know cardiopulmonary resuscitation or CPR treatment costs RM300? And that a simple pregnancy test at the clinic should only cost you RM15?
But, that is going to change once the government enforces the long-awaited medical fee increase of 14%. While this government approved hike is too low as argued by some doctors, you will still have to fork out more money the next time you seek medical care.
The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) and other medical groups insist that fees should go up by 30%, to cope with rising living costs. Charges, they claim, have stayed the same for almost three decades.
Fees by private health providers are regulated by the Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act 1998. Those who break the law can be fined up maximum of RM30,000 and face a three-month jail term. They can be fined up to RM2,000 per day for every day the offence continues after conviction.
So, before the price hike hits your pockets, we've compiled a price list of basic treatments and procedures to help you find out if you're getting ripped off in the first place.
Who? | What do they do? | How much you should be paying? |
|---|---|---|
General Practitioners (GPs) at clinics with pharmaceutical services | Consultation, either with examination and/or treatment plan | RM10 to RM35 |
GPs at clinics without pharmaceutical services | Consultation, either with examination and/or treatment plan | RM30 to RM65 |
Specialist (First visit) | Consultation, either with examination and/or treatment plan | RM60 to RM 180 |
Specialist (Follow-up) | Consultation, either with examination and/or treatment plan | RM35 to RM90 |
Psychiatrists | Individual psychotherapy, marital therapy, family therapy, child psychotherapy | RM220 (Maximum chargeable fee) |
Radiologists | Chest X-Rays | RM40 to RM100 |
Paranasal sinuses X-Rays | RM40 to RM80 | |
Shoulder X-Rays | RM40 to RM100 | |
Hand and wrist joints X-Rays | RM40 to RM100 | |
Carpal tunnel view X-Rays | RM60 | |
Pelvis and hip joint v | RM45 to RM125 | |
Foot and ankle X-Rays | RM40 to RM120 | |
Bone densitometry X | RM130 to RM150 | |
GPs | Electrocardiogram (ECG)/ Exercise ECG | RM35 to RM165 |
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) | RM275 | |
Dermatologist | Patch testing | RM220 |
Ingrown toe-nail: Simple excision or wedge excision or avulsion of nail | RM60 to RM420 | |
Obstetrician and Gynaecologist | Ultrasound scan of pelvis | RM90 |
Hormone implants | RM300 | |
Urine pregnancy test | RM15 | |
Pap smear | RM45 | |
Laser treatment of skin pigmentation and tattoos | RM330 to RM575 | |
Chemical peeling | RM255 to RM575 | |
Microdermabrasion (face and body) | RM300 to RM500 | |
GPs | Medical examination ñ Pre-employment or routine | RM40 to RM200 |
Dentists | Consultation either with examination and/or treatment plan | RM25 to RM250 |
Post-extraction bleeding | RM50 to RM300 | |
Removal of plaque and/or extrinsic stains | RM60 to RM250 |
For GPs and specialists, they are allowed to charge:
a. Up to 50% above usual rate if consultation happens after clinic hours, and
b. Up to 100% above usual rate for house calls or home visits
You're welcome to contact the MMA for the full list of medical fees. Complaints of overcharging can be made to the Malaysian Medical Council, where doctors or clinics face disciplinary action if found guilty. Based on our basic list here, think about it, have you been paying more than you should?
