Mental health insurance uptake low despite wider coverage
Stigma hindering mental health insurance adoption
SHAH ALAM - To enhance healthcare coverage, most insurance providers in Malaysia now include mental health-related illnesses in their policies, aiming to alleviate the financial strain of treatment for affected patients.
Insurance agency manager Uzaini Hasyidan Mohamed said that these policies cover psychiatric consultation fees at public or private hospitals.
“Several insurance brands now cover a range of mental health conditions, including major depressive disorder, postpartum depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and Tourette syndrome,” Uzaini told Sinar recently.
He stressed that this initiative is part of a broader commitment by insurers to promote healthier lives for Malaysians by mitigating the costs associated with mental health care.
The inclusion of mental health services in insurance packages follows earlier comments from Deputy Health Minister Datuk Lukanisman Awang Sauni, who said that the Health Ministry (MOH) is considering a proposal to the Cabinet aimed at integrating mental health more comprehensively into health insurance frameworks.
However, Uzaini noted that the uptake of mental health insurance coverage remains low as many people underestimate the importance of mental health compared to physical health issues.
“Policyholders are required to declare their conditions to qualify for coverage, and many don’t identify themselves as mental health patients, which impacts their decision to opt for such insurance,” he added.
Unlike physical health insurance, which is often purchased preemptively, mental health insurance is chosen less frequently.
Uzaini believes this stems from a lack of awareness and the stigma surrounding mental health issues.
He added that while the choice to obtain mental health insurance rests with the individual, the focus of these policies is to lessen the financial burden faced by mental health patients.
“Looking ahead, I am optimistic that more insurance companies will develop better solutions to meet the evolving needs of Malaysians in this area,” he added.
