Written by Mei Ling
Published 16 October 2026 | Last updated -
Who we are: Home Care Apps Team
Quick answer: MediAsas is a voluntary, standardised medical insurance and takaful plan from private insurers, with set benefits, a deductible and preferred hospitals, meant to complement a medical card, not replace it. A Klang Valley pilot began in July 2026, and nationwide launch is planned for January 2027. Facts checked October 2026.
Key points
- Voluntary plan from private insurers and takaful operators, not a government scheme.
- Two options: Teras (standard) and Fleksi (higher deductible).
- Pilot in the Klang Valley now; nationwide launch planned January 2027.
- Pilot terms and indicative premiums may change before launch.
What is MediAsas?
MediAsas (also written Medi Asas, as in The Star's Budget 2027 report) is a standalone medical insurance and takaful plan for private healthcare costs, and it is not linked to any investment product (BNM FAQ, A1). It renews every year until age 85. It covers pre-hospitalisation, hospitalisation, post-hospitalisation and some outpatient treatment. Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) says MediAsas is the new name for the Base Medical and Health Insurance/Takaful (Base MHIT) plan (BNM MHIT page).
There are two options, Teras and Fleksi. The takaful versions, MediAsas Takaful Teras and MediAsas Takaful Fleksi, give the same coverage. Takaful is insurance based on mutual contribution under Shariah principles, while conventional insurance transfers the risk to the insurer (BNM FAQ, A10).
Is MediAsas a Bank Negara or government scheme?
No. BNM describes MediAsas as a voluntary medical insurance and takaful protection plan and says it is not a social insurance or takaful scheme (BNM MHIT page). Customers enrol through participating insurers and takaful operators, and claims go through the insurer or takaful operator (BNM FAQ, A19 and C19).
MediAsas is part of the RESET Strategy, a national initiative by the Ministry of Health, the MOF and BNM to address medical inflation. BNM says it aims to help more Malaysians get basic protection against essential, high-impact healthcare costs and to complement public healthcare services (BNM FAQ, A2).
What does the MediAsas plan cover, and how do Teras and Fleksi differ?
Teras is the standard plan and Fleksi is the enhanced plan with a higher deductible (BNM FAQ, B1). A deductible is the amount you pay before the plan pays. Neither plan has a lifetime limit (B8). These are the pilot figures (B2 and Appendix I), which BNM says may change before launch:
| MediAsas Teras | MediAsas Fleksi | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall annual limit | RM100,000 (age 0 to 59); RM150,000 (age 60 and above) | RM300,000 |
| Deductible at a Preferred In-Network hospital | RM500 per disability (age 0 to 59); RM1,000 (60 and above) | RM10,000 a year |
| Deductible at an out-of-network hospital | Same, plus 20% co-insurance, capped at RM3,000 per disability | RM15,000 a year, no co-insurance |
| How the deductible works | Once per disability | Once per policy year |
| Co-payment waiver | Yes: government facility, emergency, outpatient cancer treatment | No |
Co-insurance is the share of the bill you pay after the deductible. A Preferred In-Network hospital is one on the pilot list of ten hospitals in the FAQ, where cashless admission is available if the insurer approves a Guarantee Letter in advance (B17, C14).
How is MediAsas different from my medical card?
MediAsas is built to sit beside an existing card, not replace it. BNM says people with an employer benefit or medical card can still join, and it suggests Fleksi for them because the higher deductible complements existing cover (BNM FAQ, A7). The FAQ describes these design features (A4 to A6, C3):
- one standardised schedule of benefits with clear terms
- cost-sharing through a deductible and, out of network, co-insurance
- Preferred In-Network hospitals for cashless admission
- Diagnosis-Related Group (DRG) payment, where a hospital is paid a set amount per treatment category instead of per test or day
- full underwriting, so applicants answer a health questionnaire
Medical cards differ, so compare yours line by line. See our guide to using a company medical card with MediAsas.
Who can buy MediAsas, and when does it start?
In the pilot, only Malaysian citizens aged 16 to 70 with a valid MyKad can apply. Permanent residents and foreigners living in Malaysia are planned for the national launch (BNM FAQ, C1 and C8). BNM also says the pilot involves selected participants: "Most Malaysians will not be affected during this phase" (BNM MHIT page). Key dates:
- 6 July 2026: the MOF announced the pilot and named six insurers and takaful operators (MOF press release).
- End-July 2026: the pilot began in the Klang Valley with ten hospitals; BNM's pilot FAQ is dated 29 July 2026.
- 9 October 2026: in Budget 2027, the Prime Minister said MediAsas will launch nationwide in January 2027 (Malay Mail).
- October 2026: the pilot is due to end.
- January 2027: nationwide launch; BNM says final features and pricing will be published then.
See which insurers offer MediAsas.
How much does MediAsas cost, and can I use EPF?
BNM's indicative range is about RM60 to RM550 a month for someone up to age 70 at entry, and final pricing will be published at the nationwide launch (BNM MHIT page; MOF press release). The Health Minister said on 14 July 2026 that a basic premium would start at around RM65 and that pricing was not yet set (The Star). Sources differ on the starting figure, so treat both as indicative. Premiums are not guaranteed, change with age and can be revised with at least 30 days' written notice (BNM FAQ, D1 and D2).
Budget 2027 added two measures. EPF contributors under 55 can use their Akaun Sejahtera to pay premiums. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with fewer than 75 employees get a first-year subsidy of RM200 per worker, for up to 50 employees (Malay Mail, 9 October 2026). The FAQ says premiums may qualify for personal tax relief, subject to the Inland Revenue Board's decision (D4).
What is not covered, and what about home nursing?
Exclusions include pre-existing conditions, pregnancy and childbirth care, dental treatment, mental or nervous disorders and overseas treatment (B16). Conditions arising in the first 30 days are not covered, except accidents, and Specified Illnesses have a 120-day wait (C10).
For nursing at home, MediAsas has one benefit. Post-Hospitalisation Home Nursing Care is "as charged", up to RM3,000 a year and a maximum of 90 days per lifetime, within the overall annual limit. Private nursing outside that benefit is excluded (BNM FAQ, Appendix I item 13 and B16 item 15). The FAQ does not say how the 90 days are counted, whether a doctor's letter is needed or whether cashless applies, so ask the insurer. Read more in does MediAsas cover home nursing after discharge and the RM3,000 and 90-day limit explained.
Home Care Apps arranges registered nurse home visits, with "from" prices on our home page. We are a home nursing provider, not an insurer, and the insurer decides each claim.
What to do next
- Ask your insurer or agent whether you can apply now or only from January 2027.
- Compare your medical card with the MediAsas benefit schedule, line by line.
- Read the policy wording and Product Disclosure Sheet, including exclusions and waiting periods.
- Check again after January 2027, when final features and pricing are published.
- If your doctor advises nursing at home after a hospital stay, try our free care assessment.
FAQ
What is MediAsas?
MediAsas is a voluntary, standalone medical insurance and takaful plan for private healthcare, renewable yearly until age 85, in two options: Teras and Fleksi. It is sold by participating private insurers and takaful operators (BNM FAQ, A1 and A19).
Is MediAsas government insurance?
No. BNM says it is a voluntary plan and not a social insurance or takaful scheme (BNM MHIT page). Private insurers and takaful operators sell it.
When does MediAsas start?
A pilot began at the end of July 2026 in the Klang Valley and is due to end in October 2026. Budget 2027 said the nationwide launch will be in January 2027 (Malay Mail). BNM says final features and pricing will be published then.
Can I pay for MediAsas with EPF?
Budget 2027 said EPF contributors under 55 can use their Akaun Sejahtera to pay MediAsas premiums (Malay Mail). The reports we read gave no steps, so ask your insurer how it will work from January 2027.
What is the difference between Teras and Fleksi?
Teras is the standard plan: a deductible of RM500 (age 0 to 59) or RM1,000 (60 and above) per disability at preferred hospitals. Fleksi is the enhanced plan: a RM300,000 annual limit and a RM10,000 deductible per year (BNM FAQ, B2).
How we can help
Home Care Apps arranges registered nurse home visits across Peninsular Malaysia, subject to nurse availability in your area. If your doctor advises nursing care at home after a hospital stay, we can explain what a visit includes and what it costs before you decide. Send an enquiry or try the free care assessment.
Sources
- Bank Negara Malaysia, MediAsas Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), Version 1: Pilot Programme, 29 July 2026. PDF. Items A1, A2, A4 to A7, A10, A19, B1, B2, B8, B16, B17, C1, C3, C8, C10, C14, C19, D1, D2, D4 and Appendix I.
- Bank Negara Malaysia, MediAsas (Medical and Health Insurance/Takaful) page. bnm.gov.my/mhit, page read 16 October 2026 (undated).
- Ministry of Finance Malaysia, press release "JBMKKS Advances RESET Strategy with MediAsas Pilot Programme, Price Transparency and Digital Health Initiatives", 6 July 2026. PDF.
- Malay Mail, "Anwar: Voluntary medical insurance MediAsas to kick off in 2027, EPF Akaun Sejahtera can pay premiums", 9 October 2026. Link.
- The Star, "Proposed MediAsas health insurance plan to start with basic RM65 monthly premium", 14 July 2026. Link.
- The Star, "Budget 2027: Affordable Medi Asas plan to be launched in January 2027", 9 October 2026 (cited for the spelling "Medi Asas" and the January 2027 launch). Link.
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.
Related
- Does MediAsas cover home nursing after hospital discharge?
- MediAsas home nursing limit: RM3,000 and 90 days explained
- Which insurers offer MediAsas? The 6 pilot operators
- Company medical card and MediAsas: can you use both?
- MediAsas FAQ: 12 questions clients ask insurance agents
- All Home Care Apps guides