PAC flags hospital billing practices, warns of drivers behind rising medical inflation (opens original article in a new tab)

The Parliamentary Accounts Committee (PAC) has raised concerns about private hospital billing practices in Malaysia, linking them to rising medical inflation and higher insurance premiums. The report highlights issues like unbundling charges for basic items and reliance on imported medicines with limited competition. The PAC has made 17 recommendations, including establishing an independent governance framework and regulatory changes to protect healthcare consumers.

• PAC highlights private hospital billing practices contributing to medical inflation
• Unbundling charges for basic items like pillowcases and alcohol swabs is criticized
• Private healthcare sector relies on 94% imported medicines with limited competition
• PAC recommends independent governance framework and regulatory changes