Written by Mei Ling
Published 16 October 2026 | Last updated -
Who we are: Home Care Apps Team
Quick answer: As of October 2026, MediAsas is planned to launch nationwide in January 2027, and the pilot terms are not final. Agents should know seven things: the date, what may change, who can apply, switching rules, which insurers will offer it, Budget 2027 support, and what has not yet been published for agents.
Key points
- Nationwide launch is planned for January 2027, with no exact day published.
- Pilot terms may be revised, and final premiums come at launch.
- Eligibility and switching rules are still to be announced.
- Budget 2027 adds EPF Akaun Sejahtera use and an SME subsidy.
- We found no MediAsas-specific agent rules, so ask your insurer.
1. When is the MediAsas nationwide launch?
MediAsas is planned to launch nationwide in January 2027, and Budget 2027 repeated this on 9 October 2026. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said an affordable plan "will be launched in January 2027" (The Star), and BNM says final features and pricing "will be published during its nationwide launch in January 2027" (BNM MHIT page). The sources we read give no exact day, and BNM's earlier white paper and base plan pages said "early 2027". The pilot runs from end-July to October 2026 in the Klang Valley, with six insurers and takaful operators and ten hospitals (BNM MHIT page).
| Date | What happened or is planned | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 22 January 2026 | BNM press release on the White Paper for the Base MHIT Plan | BNM |
| 6 July 2026 | Plan named MediAsas; pilot announced | Ministry of Finance |
| 29 July 2026 | Pilot FAQ, Version 1, dated | BNM FAQ |
| 9 October 2026 | Budget 2027 repeats the January 2027 launch | Malay Mail |
| January 2027 | Planned nationwide launch | BNM MHIT page |
2. Which pilot terms could still change?
Almost any pilot term could change, because BNM says the benefits, terms and conditions in the pilot FAQ "may be revised and updated" to match the final MediAsas (BNM pilot FAQ, Important Notes). A pilot policy can be amended, replaced or migrated on written notice. The insurer must not cause a "material disadvantage" in core benefits unless regulation or industry standards require it, and claims for earlier events follow the old terms (A14).
Premiums are not final either. BNM's indicative range is RM60 to RM550 a month for entry age up to 70, with final pricing published at launch (BNM MHIT page). Sources differ on the low end: Malay Mail's explainer says "from RM65" (Malay Mail, 5 August 2026). Premiums are not guaranteed, and insurers may revise them with at least 30 days' written notice (D1).
3. Who will be able to apply at launch?
BNM plans to widen eligibility at the nationwide launch, but it has not published final rules. In the pilot, applications are open to ages 16 to 70 and to Malaysian citizens with a valid MyKad. The FAQ says MediAsas is available for ages 0 to 70, and that Malaysian permanent residents and foreigners residing in Malaysia will be allowed at the national launch (BNM pilot FAQ, C1 and C8). Cover is renewable each year up to age 85.
Do not tell a client in any category that they can apply until the insurer confirms it. Our plain-English MediAsas guide explains the plan for families, and the 5 things agents need to know covers the product itself.
4. What will happen to switching?
BNM says details on switching will be provided at the national launch. In the pilot, a client cannot switch insurers (A8), move from an existing medical plan to MediAsas with the same insurer (A9), or switch between Teras and Fleksi (A15) (BNM pilot FAQ).
Sources differ on underwriting. An earlier BNM page on the Base MHIT plan, which shows no publication date and does not use the name MediAsas, says existing policyholders can switch with the same insurer "without re-underwriting and waiting periods" (BNM base plan page). The pilot FAQ says a switch is "subject to" the insurer's terms, including eligibility and underwriting rules (A9). Until your insurer confirms in writing, do not promise a client a switch with no new underwriting or waiting periods.
5. Which insurers will offer MediAsas?
More insurers are expected to offer MediAsas at launch, but BNM has not yet published the list. The pilot has six: AIA Berhad, Allianz Life, Etiqa Family Takaful, Great Eastern, Prudential BSN Takaful and Syarikat Takaful Malaysia Keluarga (FAQ A19). BNM's white paper says an insurer that offers its own medical plans "must also offer the base MHIT plan on a standalone basis" (BNM white paper), and Malay Mail reports the same requirement for insurers and takaful operators with comprehensive medical plans (Malay Mail).
BNM's base plan page says the list of participating insurers "will be announced in due course". The Preferred In-Network hospital list will also expand (FAQ B17). Ask your own insurer whether and when it will offer MediAsas, and see our guide to the six pilot insurers.
6. What does Budget 2027 add?
Budget 2027 added two measures: EPF Akaun Sejahtera savings can pay premiums for members under 55, and SMEs get a first-year subsidy (The Star). For SMEs with fewer than 75 employees, the government will subsidise the first-year premium by RM200 per worker, capped at 50 employees per company, and expects up to 200,000 SME workers to benefit.
The Life Insurance Association of Malaysia (LIAM) welcomed the subsidy and said it looks forward to working with BNM, government agencies and insurers to "raise public awareness of the plan" (The Star, 9 October 2026). The reports we read do not say how employers apply, when the subsidy starts or how the EPF process works, so wait for the official rules before advising an employer. Our guide on using an employer card and MediAsas together may help.
7. What changes for insurance agents, and what has not been published?
As of 16 October 2026, we found no MediAsas-specific rule on agent training, licensing, product disclosure or the sales process. We checked BNM's MHIT page, white paper and pilot FAQ, the Ministry of Finance statement of 6 July 2026, LIAM's website and news reports. One commentator proposed that insurers "and their agents" should "first offer MediAsas" (The Edge, July 2026). That is opinion, not a rule.
Existing rules still apply. BNM's agent professionalism policy (effective 1 January 2024) requires agents to be registered with the industry association before soliciting, sets yearly continuing professional development hours, and requires insurers' codes of ethics to make agents consider a customer's needs, affordability and existing cover (BNM). Ask your insurer's compliance team what applies to MediAsas. If clients ask about nurse visits after discharge, our services page explains what we arrange.
What to do next
- Ask your insurer whether and when it will offer MediAsas.
- Ask what MediAsas training and agent materials will be provided.
- Re-read the final BNM FAQ and Product Disclosure Sheet when published.
- Do not quote pilot figures as final.
- Tell families asking about home nursing after discharge about the free care assessment.
FAQ
When does MediAsas start nationwide?
Planned for January 2027, as repeated in Budget 2027 on 9 October 2026. BNM says final product features and pricing will be published at the nationwide launch (BNM MHIT page). We found no exact start day.
Is there a subsidy for SME employees?
Yes, as announced in Budget 2027: RM200 per worker for the first-year premium, for SMEs with fewer than 75 employees, capped at 50 employees per company (The Star). Application steps were not in the reports we read.
Are there takaful versions?
Yes. The pilot FAQ lists MediAsas Takaful Teras and MediAsas Takaful Fleksi, with the same coverage and benefits as the conventional plans (BNM FAQ, A1 and A10). Takaful operators are among the six pilot participants.
Will a pilot policy carry over to the final MediAsas?
It can be amended, replaced or migrated to the final version on written notice. Insurers must not cause a material disadvantage in core benefits unless regulation or industry standards require it (BNM FAQ, A14).
How we can help
Home Care Apps arranges registered nurse home visits across Peninsular Malaysia, subject to nurse availability in your area, and our "from" prices are on our home page. Clients and families can try the free care assessment or send us an enquiry to ask what a visit involves. We are a home nursing provider, not an insurer or insurance agent, and we take and pay no referral fees.
Sources
- Bank Negara Malaysia, Medical and Health Insurance/Takaful (MHIT). bnm.gov.my/mhit, page read 16 October 2026.
- Bank Negara Malaysia, MediAsas Frequently Asked Questions, Version 1: Pilot Programme, 29 July 2026. PDF. Important Notes and items A1, A8, A9, A10, A14, A15, A19, B17, C1, C8 and D1.
- Bank Negara Malaysia, Base MHIT Plan page. bnm.gov.my/mhit/baseplan, no date shown, page read 16 October 2026.
- Bank Negara Malaysia, White Paper on Base MHIT Plan (page). bnm.gov.my/mhit/baseplanwp, no date shown, page read 16 October 2026; and BNM press release, 22 January 2026. Link.
- Ministry of Finance, press release on the MediAsas pilot (JBMKKS), 6 July 2026. PDF.
- The Star, "Budget 2027: Affordable Medi Asas plan to be launched in January 2027", 9 October 2026. Link.
- Malay Mail, "Anwar: Voluntary medical insurance MediAsas to kick off in 2027, EPF Akaun Sejahtera can pay premiums", 9 October 2026. Link.
- The Star (Bernama), "LIAM welcomes RM200 MediAsas subsidy for eligible SME employees", 9 October 2026. Link.
- Malay Mail, "MediAsas explained: The RM65 health insurance lifeline coming to Malaysia in 2027", 5 August 2026. Link.
- The Edge Malaysia, "MediAsas: A foundation stone for future health reforms" (opinion, Dr Khor Swee Kheng), 23 July 2026. Link.
- Bank Negara Malaysia, Policy Document on Professionalism of Insurance and Takaful Agents, issued 17 April 2023, effective 1 January 2024. BNM page.
Note
This is general information, not medical, financial or legal advice, and Home Care Apps is a home nursing provider, not an insurer, takaful operator or insurance agent.