COVID-19 test fund broadens eligibility

The Life Insurance Association of Malaysia (LIAM), Persatuan Insurans Am Malaysia (PIAM) and the Malaysian Takaful Association (MTA) have broadened the eligibility criteria of the MYR8 million COVID-19 Test Fund (CTF) to include COVID-19 tests required for hospital admission for emergency and semi emergency surgeries.

The definition for eligible emergency and semi emergency cases will be based on: emergency cases where a patient requires immediate and life-saving intervention; and semi-emergency cases where a high-risk patient whose condition could easily deteriorate or who presents with symptoms of a condition requiring time-sensitive treatment.

Speaking on opening the eligibility to include emergency and semi emergency cases, LIAM president Loh Guat Lan said that the industry’s priority now is to ensure that all affected policyholders/certificate holders do their tests and healthcare front liners are protected from the risk of infection.

“The new eligibility will also provide a peace of mind for policyholders to undergo any emergency or semi emergency procedures at the hospitals. The industry is also very  happy to announce that many hospitals have now agreed to fix the cost of the COVID-19 Test to RM300 per test for emergency hospital admissions.  This is a big relief to the patients,” added Loh.