Latest news with #APHM
New Straits Times
12 hours ago
- Health
- New Straits Times
Private hospitals back EPF plan for insurance payments, call for safeguards
KUALA LUMPUR: The Association of Private Hospitals Malaysia (APHM) has hailed the government's timely proposal to allow Employees Provident Fund (EPF) members to use their Account 2 savings to pay for monthly health insurance premiums. Its president, Datuk Dr Kuljit Singh, said while the plan is welcomed, it must be accompanied by clear safeguards to ensure its long-term sustainability. He said the responsibility now lies with the relevant agencies to determine the most appropriate funding model, whether through EPF or other mechanisms. "APHM fully supports the development of well-designed, evidence-based and data-driven policies, including the proposed basic MHIT (Medical and Health Insurance/Takaful) product. "Key stakeholders such as Bank Negara Malaysia, the Health Ministry, and the Finance Ministry will play pivotal roles in determining the best approach moving forward. "What matters most is that the mechanism serves the people effectively and remains financially viable in the long term," he told the NST. Dr Kuljit said APHM remains committed to working with all stakeholders to address challenges in healthcare financing and the rising cost of treatment. "Our member hospitals are ready to share data, insights, and industry expertise with the government to support policies that are both sustainable and beneficial to all Malaysians," he said. The government proposed the EPF plan to ease healthcare costs, widen insurance access, and relieve pressure on public hospitals. Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said yesterday that if the proposal is implemented, 16 million EPF contributors could use their savings to access medical care at private hospitals.
The Sun
13-06-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Sunway Healthcare: Give us more time to prepare for revised SST
CYBERJAYA: Sunway Healthcare is evaluating the potential effects of the impending implementation of the expanded Sales and Service Tax (SST) as the company believes the announced timeline is insufficient for private hospitals to adequately prepare for the new policy. 'Given the relatively short notice ahead of the July 1 implementation date, we require additional time to assess the situation fully. 'Our team is reviewing the matter, but we are unable to provide further comment at this stage as we do not yet have complete data,' Sunway Healthcare president Datuk Lau Beng Long told SunBiz on the sidelines of the signing of a memorandum of understanding involving Sunway Medical Centre, University of Cyberjaya and Cyberjaya College Kota Kinabalu to develop nursing talent in Malaysia today. To recap, on June 9, the government announced the implementation of revisions to the SST rates and an expansion of the Service Tax's scope, effective July 1. Lau said Sunway Healthcare is aligning with the Association of Private Hospitals Malaysia's (APHM) call to delay the implementation of the expanded SST. 'APHM president Datuk Dr Kuljit Singh is reviewing this matter. The association has appealed to the relevant ministry to either review or defer the implementation date. As the appeal is under consideration, we are awaiting the outcome to determine whether the policy will be implemented and, if so, when it will take effect,' Lau said. APHM has called for a delay in the implementation of the expanded SST on private healthcare services for foreigners. In a statement on June 11, APHM stated that while it supports the government's broader policy objectives of broadening the tax base and stimulating economic growth, private hospitals require more time to make the necessary operational adjustments to comply with the new tax rule. The short implementation time frame presents significant operational challenges as private hospitals would need sufficient lead time to adjust administrative systems, billing processes, and compliance procedures, it said. APHM has submitted a written request to the Ministry of Finance for a more practical timeline beyond the current July 1 start date to minimise disruption to patient services and ensure full compliance. APHM has also sought further clarification on several aspects of the new policy, including its application to professional fees charged by doctors, treatment of foreigners residing in Malaysia and other implementation matters. 'Private hospitals are an essential part of Malaysia's health care ecosystem, delivering quality care to both local and international patients,' APHM said.
Sinar Daily
11-06-2025
- Business
- Sinar Daily
Private hospitals urge extension of SST deadline for foreign patient services
SHAH ALAM – The planned expansion of the Sales and Service Tax (SST) to private healthcare services for non-Malaysian patients is expected to pose significant operational challenges for the healthcare sector. The Association of Private Hospitals Malaysia (APHM) has called on the government to extend the July 1 implementation deadline, warning that the short notice does not allow sufficient time for private hospitals to make the necessary adjustments. The six per cent SST, announced as part of the government's effort to broaden the tax base, would apply specifically to services provided to non-citizens. In a statement released today, APHM acknowledged the government's economic objectives but stressed the need for a more practical timeline. It said hospitals would require adequate lead time to update administrative systems, adjust billing procedures and ensure full compliance with the new tax framework. 'Today, APHM sent a written request to the Finance Ministry (MOF) for a more practical timeline beyond the current July 1 implementation date. 'This is to allow smoother transition, minimise disruption to patient services and help ensure full compliance with the new requirements,' the statement read. The association also raised the need for further clarification on specific areas of the policy, including its treatment of professional fees, implications for foreign residents in Malaysia and other implementation details. Highlighting the vital role of private hospitals in Malaysia's healthcare system, APHM noted their contribution to both domestic care and international medical tourism. Malaysia was recently ranked among the top 10 global medical tourism destinations by Nomad Capitalist, with the sector projected to generate USD$2.7 billion annually by 2030. APHM reaffirmed its commitment to working collaboratively with the government to ensure sustainable implementation of the SST expansion. 'We will continue to engage constructively to help safeguard service continuity and uphold the standard of care, while supporting the Government's broader policy objectives,' the statement added. Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan - Photo by Bernama The expanded SST, announced by Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan, would take effect on July 1 and would include six new service categories: leasing, construction, finance, private healthcare, education, and beauty. Malaysians would remain exempted from SST on healthcare services, including traditional treatments such as Malay, Chinese, Indian and Islamic medicine, as well as allied health services like physiotherapy, audiology, and speech therapy. To support a smoother transition, the government has assured that no legal or punitive action will be taken against non-compliant businesses until Dec 31, 2025.
Daily Express
11-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
Private hospitals call for delay to 6% SST for non-Malaysians
Published on: Wednesday, June 11, 2025 Published on: Wed, Jun 11, 2025 By: FMT Reporters Text Size: Several associations raised concerns about the potential impact on service accessibility, pricing transparency, and operational preparedness, especially for sectors like healthcare. (Envato Elements pics) PETALING JAYA: Private hospitals are urging the finance ministry to postpone the implementation of the 6% sales and service tax (SST) on private healthcare services for non-Malaysians, set to take effect on July 1. In a statement, the Association of Private Hospitals Malaysia (APHM) raised concerns over the implementation timeframe, saying 'private hospitals will need sufficient lead time to adjust administrative systems, billing processes, and compliance procedures'. Advertisement APHM also said it had sent a written request to the finance ministry today for a 'more practical timeline'. 'This is to allow for a smoother transition, minimise disruption to patient services, and help ensure full compliance with the new requirements.' APHM also said it had sought further clarification on the policy's application, including its impact on professional fees, treatment of foreigners residing in Malaysia, and other related implementation matters. The finance ministry announced two days ago that the service tax would be expanded to include rent, lease, construction, financial services, private healthcare, and education, with hopes that it would help generate RM51.7 billion in SST revenue next year. Under this policy, private hospitals will charge a 6% SST on healthcare services provided to foreign nationals. Since the announcement, several associations have raised concerns about the potential impact on service accessibility, pricing transparency, and operational preparedness, especially for sectors like healthcare and education which serve many non-Malaysians including foreign workers, expatriates, and international students. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Free Malaysia Today
11-06-2025
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Private hospitals call for delay to 6% SST for non-Malaysians
Several associations raised concerns about the potential impact on service accessibility, pricing transparency, and operational preparedness, especially for sectors like healthcare. (Gambar Envato Elements) PETALING JAYA : Private hospitals are urging the finance ministry to postpone the implementation of the 6% sales and service tax (SST) on private healthcare services for non-Malaysians, set to take effect on July 1. In a statement, the Association of Private Hospitals Malaysia (APHM) raised concerns over the implementation time frame, saying 'private hospitals will need sufficient lead time to adjust administrative systems, billing processes, and compliance procedures'. APHM also said it had sent a written request to the finance ministry today for a 'more practical timeline'. 'This is to allow for a smoother transition, minimise disruption to patient services, and help ensure full compliance with the new requirements.' APHM also said it had sought further clarification on the policy's application, including its impact on professional fees, its treatment of foreigners residing in Malaysia, and other related implementation matters. The finance ministry announced two days ago that the service tax would be expanded to include rent, lease, construction, financial services, private healthcare, and education, with hopes that it would help generate RM51.7 billion in SST revenue next year. Under this policy, private hospitals will charge a 6% SST on healthcare services provided to foreign nationals. Since the announcement, several associations have raised concerns about the potential impact on service accessibility, pricing transparency, and operational preparedness, especially for sectors like healthcare and education which serve many non-Malaysians including foreign workers, expatriates, and international students.
