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Malaysia-based small- to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can find group and corporate health insurance plans through insurance providers like Allianz and AIA. Comprehensive employer-provided health insurance plans are an important part of keeping and retaining talent in today’s job market.
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Are you an employer in Malaysia looking to insure your employees? Is your business an SME? This article from the insurance experts at Pacific Prime will explain your group and corporate health insurance options in Malaysia.
We will explain the benefits of group health insurance, key considerations for choosing your plan, top health insurance providers in Malaysia, and other important information.
SME Group and Corporate Health Insurance Plans in Malaysia
Small- to medium-sized enterprises can secure group and corporate health insurance for their employees in Malaysia as part of their employee benefit package. Group and corporate health insurances operate differently from individual health insurance plans.
In a group or corporate plan, the employer will purchase a single policy to cover their group or corporation. The policy premiums are typically shared between the employer and employee, making them more affordable than individual health insurance.
The types of group health insurance plans available in Malaysia vary from provider to provider, but most plans offer hospitalization and surgical coverage, with options for outpatient coverage, critical illness coverage, and additional add-ons like dental, vision, and maternity coverage.
The more basic group and corporate health insurance plans will stick to mostly hospitalization and emergency coverage. The more comprehensive plans will have outpatient and inpatient benefits. You can choose the right plan for the needs of your company.
Why Malaysia-Based SMEs Should Consider Group Health Insurance
Malaysia-based SMEs should consider group or corporate health insurance for reasons like attracting and retaining employees, tax benefits, and improving employee wellness and productivity.
- Attract and Retain Employees: Group and corporate health insurance can help attract and retain employees in this increasingly competitive job market. A reasonable salary isn’t enough, as many talented employees also look for comprehensive employee benefit packages.
- Tax Benefits: SMEs in Malaysia may be able to receive tax benefits by providing health insurance to their employees. Premiums paid to group health insurance providers are generally considered business expenses and reduce employers’ taxable income.
- Improving Employee Wellness and Productivity: Health insurance coverage can improve employees’ access to health care and improve their well-being, which in turn will affect their productivity at work. Healthy employees are productive employees.
If the above reasons have convinced you to purchase group and corporate health insurance, which offers many benefits to SMEs in Malaysia, you will want to know about the group plans available.
Group Health Insurance Providers for SMEs in Malaysia
SME group and corporate health insurance are available through different providers like Allianz and AIA in Malaysia. These international health insurance providers are well-known in the international insurance market and offer comprehensive employee benefits in Malaysia.
Allianz Group Health Insurance for SMEs in Malaysia
Allianz offers SMEs in Malaysia its product of Allianz SME Choice Plus. Allianz SME Choice Plus provides group hospital and surgical coverage, with the following benefits:
- Annual limit for medical services of up to RM300,000 (around USD $70,838)
- Fully covered hospital admissions with no required copayment
- Optional coverage riders, like outpatient coverage for general practitioner and specialist visits
- Medical cards for cashless claims at in-network hospitals
AIA Group Health Insurance for SMEs in Malaysia
AIA offers group health insurance for SMEs through their A-SME Flex plans. The A-SME Flex plan comes in three different coverage tiers: Starter, Standard, and Business, with Business offering the highest annual limit.
The medical employee benefit solution provided through A-SME Flex plans offers important coverage, such as:
- Hospital and surgical care
- Optional outpatient general practitioner and specialist care
- Medical cards for cashless claims
- Annual limits up to RM120,000 (around USD$28,335)
AIA also offers A-SME Flex-i plans, which are group takaful insurance plans. Takaful insurance operates differently from conventional health insurance. To learn more about takaful insurance, read our article on the differences between takaful and conventional health insurance.
Four Key Considerations When Choosing Health Insurance for Your SME
When choosing a group health insurance plan for your SME, you should consider how many employees you have, your budget, your desired benefits, and your preferred network of hospitals and clinics. These factors can play a big part in your health insurance decision.
1. The Size of Your Company
The number of employees at your company has a direct effect on the premiums and benefits available to SMEs. Insurance companies typically require a company to have at least five to ten employees before they can purchase a group policy.
Group health insurance premiums are generally higher the smaller a company is. Coverage limits and available benefits may be restricted as well, with often not very much room for customization. This, of course, will vary across providers.
Larger SMEs with around 100 to 350 employees may be able to purchase larger corporate health insurance plans. They will typically have higher annual limits and customizable benefits available to them as well.
2. Your Budget for Group Health Insurance
The options available to SMEs for group or corporate health insurance will depend largely on what the company can afford in premiums. Typically, smaller companies with under 20 employees will be more expensive to insure due to higher cost per head and limited risk pooling.
The type of benefits available to you will also depend on what you can afford. If your budget is small, you will likely want to choose basic coverage like hospitalization and surgical coverage. Additional benefits like outpatient and dental coverage can be too expensive for some SMEs.
Another way to keep premiums lower is to opt for plans with lower annual limits. If you have a higher budget, you may want to purchase group health insurance plans with higher annual limits and more outpatient benefits.
3. Your Desired Benefits
Consider what coverage you desire and think is necessary for your employees in Malaysia. Employee healthcare needs will vary depending on the group or corporation. If you desire additional benefits like outpatient and dental coverage, insurance providers can add them to your plan.
Do you have employees who plan on starting or expanding their family soon in Malaysia? Maternity benefits are also a valuable addition to any group health insurance plan.
International health insurance providers like AIA and Allianz offer different coverage tiers for their SME plans, so you can choose which plan has the best benefits and annual limits for your company or group’s needs.
4. Your Desired Network of Healthcare Facilities
Consider your desired network of healthcare clinics and hospitals for your employees when choosing your SME health insurance plan. You’ll want to choose a health insurance plan with a network that is near your employees in a convenient location.
Many SME group health insurance providers will have their own pre-arranged panel of healthcare facilities, but some insurance providers will allow larger SMEs to negotiate a panel extension to include preferred healthcare facilities.
Wide and prestigious networks in Malaysia typically come with higher premiums. Smaller networks are more affordable, but employers may risk dissatisfying their employees if they can’t find a convenient in-network healthcare provider.
Common Challenges for Group and Corporate Health Insurance Plans in Malaysia
Common group health insurance plan challenges for Malaysia-based SMEs include plan complexity, employee expectations, and renewal and claim issues. These challenges can present a problem for employers in Malaysia.
Plan Complexity
The complexity of the group or corporate health insurance plan can be a challenge for SMEs and lead to employees not utilizing their benefits correctly. Between unique employee needs, complex insurance jargon, and administrative burdens, it can be difficult for SMEs to navigate health insurance.
Here are some ways that group health insurance can be complex for SMEs:
- Unique Employee Needs: Healthcare needs can vary across small groups, and finding a middle ground for uniform coverage can be difficult. Older employees may want more critical illness coverage, while younger employees may want outpatient care.
- Complex Insurance Jargon: Health insurance jargon can be confusing to employees and employers alike. Terms like copays, deductibles, and annual limits can easily confuse those not used to them.
- Administrative Burdens: Smaller SMEs that don’t have large HR departments may struggle with the administrative burdens associated with finding and providing health insurance for their employees.
To help navigate this complexity, SMEs can choose to simplify their group health insurance approach by choosing basic coverage for their employees and then adding more coverage in the following year if needed. They can also reach out to insurance experts for help.
Employee Expectations
The expectations of your employees can be a challenge when dealing with group health insurance, particularly due to the difference in what SMEs can afford compared to large corporations. Employees may expect different things from their health insurance plan.
Expectations can vary based on where employees are in life. Employees with children may want maternity and child coverage, older employees may want critical illness coverage, and so on. Employees may feel dissatisfied if they are not given the coverage they expect.
SMEs can manage employee expectations by surveying their staff before they purchase a plan to help find the best coverage for their team, and keeping communication clear. Employee expectations can be managed if employers stay transparent about what is covered, what isn’t, and why.
Renewal and Claim Issues
Renewal and claim issues can cause a significant challenge for Malaysia-based SMEs due to the lack of administrative power many SMEs have. Without large HR budgets, SMEs don’t have the time or employees to dedicate to handling claim approvals.
Group health insurance is typically renewed annually, and premiums can increase if there were large claims made in the last year. For SMEs with strict budgets, this can cause issues. SMEs may be forced to cut benefits, change insurers, or absorb the higher costs.
SMEs can navigate renewal and claim issues by utilizing insurance brokers to negotiate with insurers for them. This support can be invaluable to many SMEs as they often require additional support for group health insurance administrative efforts.
Steps to Secure the Right Group and Corporate Plan in Malaysia
The steps to securing the right group and corporate plan in Malaysia include assessing company and employee needs, comparing insurance providers and quotes, and engaging an insurance broker for all other questions.
1. Assess Company and Employee Needs
Survey your employees and assess your company’s budget as the first step to securing the right group and corporate plan in Malaysia. Ask your employees what they would need in a health insurance plan, and try to find uniform coverage that would benefit all of your employees.
Assess your company’s budget and decide what group or corporate health insurance plan you can afford.
2. Compare Insurance Providers and Quotes
After you have determined what your SME can afford and what your employees need in coverage, begin comparing quotes from different group health insurance providers. Pay close attention to the differences in annual limits and benefits, exclusions, networks, and the reputation of the provider.
Compare these key parts of group health insurance quotes:
- Annual Limits and Benefits: Compare the different annual limits and benefits provided in the quote. Do some plans offer more benefits at a lower cost? Do some plans offer the ability to customize your coverage with additional riders?
- Exclusions: Pay close attention to any exclusions in the group health insurance plans. Are there waiting periods for certain coverage? Is important coverage to your team excluded, such as critical illness coverage?
- Networks: Compare the network size and quality across the different health insurance quotes. Try to find the network that is most central to your team with the care they need close by.
- Reputation of the Provider: When gathering quotes from different health insurance providers, make certain to double-check the reputation from each company through online reviews or other sources. Look for information about the insurer’s customer service and claim process speed.
You can also use an insurance broker to help compare plans, and with the following step.
3. Engage an Insurance Broker
An insurance broker can help your Malaysia-based SME secure a group or corporate health insurance plan by negotiating terms with partnered insurance providers. With an insurance broker, you can have support in every step of the group insurance purchasing process.
Insurance brokers can also help with the first two steps of this process by providing valuable consulting and helping compare various quotes. Once your broker has determined your objectives, needs, and requirements, they can continue with policy broking.
Your insurance broker will negotiate with top insurance providers to get you the best value for your money. Once you have chosen a plan, your broker will then help you settle the contract, while explaining any insurance jargon you do not understand.
Finally, insurance brokers can also help with the administrative efforts of group health insurance. Some brokers offer employee claim assistance and will manage renewals. Insurance brokers are an invaluable help to SMEs looking to secure group health insurance.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What are SMEs?
An SME is a small- to medium-sized enterprise. SMEs are typically under 500 employees, though the criteria for SMEs may vary by country or region. SMEs may also be defined by the threshold of their revenue or assets.
Is it mandatory to provide health insurance for employees in Malaysia?
It is not mandatory for employers to provide health insurance in Malaysia. It is highly recommended due to the benefits it provides, such as attracting and retaining talent, tax benefits, and supporting employee productivity.
What is the best health insurance for small business owners in Malaysia?
The best health insurance for small business owners in Malaysia is group health insurance, which can be purchased through top international insurance providers like AIA or Allianz. Both of these providers offer different plans with varying coverage tiers to help customize coverage.
Conclusion
Malaysia-based SMEs can find the best group and corporate health insurance for their companies by considering key factors like their budget and needs. Comprehensive group health insurance can improve employee satisfaction and help SMEs attract and retain talent.
Are you an employer in Malaysia looking for health insurance for your team? The insurance experts at Pacific Prime can help you find the best employee benefit package for your needs.
As a global health insurance broker who specializes in expat health insurance, Pacific Prime can offer a wealth of professional expertise and services. Our tailor-made policies suit every budget and health care need for expats and travellers across the world.
Contact Pacific Prime to discuss, free of charge, a range of health insurance services available for your group or corporation. To get a no-obligation, free price comparison quote, visit our website today!
Are you interested in other articles about Malaysia? Check out the following blog posts:
Serena earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of British Columbia, Canada. As such, she is an avid advocate of mental health and is fascinated by all things psychology (especially if it’s cognitive psychology!).
Her previous work experience includes teaching toddlers to read, writing for a travel/wellness online magazine, and then a business news blog. These combined experiences give her the skills and insights she needs to explain complex ideas in a succinct way. Being the daughter of an immigrant and a traveler herself, she is passionate about educating expats and digital nomads on travel and international health insurance.
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