Medical Insurance Made Affordable

A major player in the indusry has a unique offer for those seeking to purchase medical insurance. Pacific Insurance Bhd has a scheme known as the Pacific Medi Major which provides for expenses incurred based on reasonable and customary charges for medical treatment. This is similar to many of the medical insurance schemes available in Malaysia but this scheme has one crucial difference. The premiums are much lower because the insured has to bear the first portion of the medical expenses incurred.

In a sense, this  is similar to the "excess clause" in a motor insurance policy. Those familiar with having made claims in a comprehensive motor insurance policy for any 'own damage' claim of the motor vehicle will know that the insurer will only reimburse the expenses which are above the "excess" amount.

The Pacific Medi Major operates in a similar manner. Let us have a look at a simple example with actual figures in order to understand how this scheme works.

If a person aged 48 intends to purchase a plan based on Hospital Room and Board of RM300 per day:

He can claim for expenses up to an annual limit of RM75,000.00
He can claim for expenses up to a lifetime limit of RM300,000.00
For every disability he claims from the insurer, he will bear the first RM5000.00 of the expenses
His annual premium will be RM431.00


Other features of this scheme are as follows:

1. An individual wishing to enter this scheme must be between the ages of 19 and 60
2. The insured has the option to renew the coverage up to the age of 80 (subject to the usual limitations)
3. Premiums are the same whether for male or female insured persons
4. Premiums are age banded i.e. the same rates will apply within a particular age band. The insurer may, however, increase the premiums based on overall claim experience with the approval of Bank Negara Malaysia
5. The insurer only pays out the claim after the insured has claimed from other insurers, if any
6. Pre-existing illnesses and other usual exclusions apply
7. Other features are very similar to those seen in most medical insurance schemes in the market

The Medi Major Plan is most suitable for:

• Those who are not willing to pay the higher premiums as seen in the market and are able to bear the first portion of the loss
• Those who are already having other medical insurance (for example, as provided by employees) but feel that such coverage is inadequate

Interested readers who require more details can post their questions in the comments section below or alternatively, visit www.pacificinsurance.com.my for further information.