How Much Does Health Insurance Cost in Malaysia?

The average cost of an individual international health insurance plan in Malaysia was USD 4,969 (approximately RM 20,164) in 2025. Most expats in Malaysia purchase private health insurance, though employed expats can qualify for the Foreign Worker Hospitalization and Surgical Scheme. 

Are you an expat moving to Malaysia? Are you unsure of what the average premium is for health insurance in the country? The insurance experts at Pacific Prime have created this guide to help you understand what you can expect to pay for health insurance in Malaysia. 

We will share the average health insurance costs in Malaysia, explain the factors that affect insurance premiums, and more. Keep reading to learn more, or click here for a free health insurance quote!

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Health Insurance Costs in Malaysia for Expats

Health insurance costs for expats in Malaysia will vary depending on whether they have private health insurance or are enrolled in the Foreign Worker Hospitalization and Surgical Scheme (SKHPPA). Only employed expats can qualify for this scheme. 

Public Health Insurance Costs in Malaysia

Expats enrolled in the Foreign Worker Hospitalization and Surgical Scheme will pay an annual premium of RM120 for this coverage, in addition to possible copayments for medical services. This premium is subject to change based on the relevant authorities considering the loss ratio and other factors. 

Employers will enroll their expat employees in SKHPPA automatically. This scheme offers fixed costs for treatment at public hospitals, covering basic healthcare needs like surgical, emergency treatment, and inpatient care. It does not cover outpatient costs. 

Many expats choose to purchase private health insurance for Malaysia. Even employed expats may choose to buy private health insurance to supplement their SKHPPA coverage. 

Private Health Insurance Costs in Malaysia

An individual international health insurance plan in Malaysia was USD 4,969 (approximately RM 20,164) on average in 2025, with a family plan costing USD $13,889 (approximately RM 56,362). Health insurance costs for the country will vary depending on the provider and plan. 

Prices for health insurance plans differ across insurance companies. Private health insurance plans from local providers may be less expensive than international health insurance providers, but they offer less geographical coverage and may offer lower maximum limits. 

Private health insurance rates can rise or fall annually. Pacific Prime’s data shows us a 5% increase in family international health insurance premiums for Malaysia from 2023 to 2025. Individual premiums showed a 3% increase from 2023 to 2025. 

Comparing Malaysia Health Insurance Costs to Other Asian Countries

Health insurance in Malaysia costs less than in Japan or Taiwan but is more expensive than in Bangladesh and other Asian countries. The table below illustrates the cost of private health insurance in Malaysia compared to other Asian countries. 

Malaysia ranks similarly for the cost of family health insurance premiums, with less expensive premiums than Japan but more than Bangladesh and Myanmar. We have compared average costs of family health insurance premiums across Asia in the table below.

These average costs are proprietary data collected by Pacific Prime through their experience with helping expats find health insurance solutions that work for them.

Factors That Affect Health Insurance Costs in Malaysia

Factors that affect health insurance costs in Malaysia can include age and health history, coverage level of your plan, your deductible, and more. Public health insurance and private health insurance will have different factors that affect their costs for expats. 

• Your Age: Your age will affect your insurance premium due to insurance providers charging more for older individuals. This is due to the higher financial risk associated with insuring older individuals. 
• The Number of Your Dependents: The number of dependents in your household (if you have them) will directly affect your insurance premium by increasing it per dependent. 
• The Coverage Level of Your Plan: Plans with high levels of coverage and high annual maximum limits will always cost more than basic plans that only offer emergency coverage. This includes plans with specialized coverage like outpatient and vision, and dental. 
• Your Deductible: Whether you choose a low, medium, or high deductible will directly affect your premium. Your deductible is the amount the policyholder pays before the insurance company begins to pay. High deductible plans cost less than low deductible plans.
• Your Health History: Your health history, including any pre-existing conditions, will affect your health insurance premiums. Some insurance providers won’t cover your pre-existing condition, or if they do, they will at a higher premium. 
• Your Income: For public health insurance, your monthly contributions will depend on your income. Employed expats will have their monthly contributions taken out of their paychecks, while self-employed expats will have to pay based on their income. 

To learn more about the factors that affect the cost of health insurance, download our guide, The Cost of International Health Insurance Report 2024.

How to Reduce Private Health Insurance Costs in Malaysia

Expats in Malaysia interested in securing a private health insurance plan can help keep their annual or monthly premiums affordable by comparing plans from different providers, customizing their coverage, and choosing a high-deductible plan. 

1. Compare a Variety of Plans from Different Providers

Compare a variety of plans from different private health insurance providers before you choose a plan. You may find a plan that has higher coverage for a better price than one from a different health insurance provider. You can use free quote tools to help compare plans more efficiently. 

When comparing separate plans, make sure you analyze the geographical coverage, annual limits, benefits covered, and exclusions. Take your time with this step so you don’t miss any key points. Comparing plans can help you find the most affordable solution for your health insurance needs. 

2. Customize Your Health Insurance Coverage

Don’t pay for coverage you don’t need, and customize your coverage in your health insurance plan. Are you unsure if you’ll need vision coverage? Don’t choose a plan with vision riders. If you don’t think you’ll need outpatient coverage, choose inpatient-coverage-only plans. 

3. Choose a High-Deductible Health Insurance Plan

Choosing a high-deductible plan can lower your annual or monthly premium. With a high-deductible plan, the insurance company will pay less upfront and shift more of the financial risk to the policyholder. This can help keep your health insurance premiums more affordable. 

This option is a great choice for expats in Malaysia who are healthy with no chronic conditions and who can afford upfront costs. 

Frequently Asked Questions: 

How much is international health insurance monthly in Malaysia?

In 2025, an individual health insurance plan was around USD $414 (~RM 1,680) a month. A family health insurance plan was around USD $1,157 (~RM 4,695) a month. Different factors can affect the monthly cost of your health insurance, such as age, health history, and provider. 

Is health insurance expensive in Malaysia?

Health insurance is generally less expensive in Malaysia than in other Asian countries like South Korea, Japan, and Taiwan. Health insurance coverage through the Foreign Worker Hospitalization and Surgical Scheme will only require an annual premium of around RM120.

Can foreigners get free healthcare in Malaysia? 

Foreigners cannot receive free healthcare in Malaysia. Employed foreigners may qualify for the Foreign Worker Hospitalization and Surgical Scheme, but they will pay an annual premium of around RM120 and possible copayments for their medical services. 

How can an expat buy health insurance in Malaysia? 

An expat can buy health insurance in Malaysia through a private local or international health insurance provider. Local health insurance providers may be less expensive than international health insurance companies but generally offer more limited coverage and benefits. 

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Conclusion: 

Expats will need to purchase private health insurance for Malaysia and can expect to pay less for their plan than in other countries, such as Japan or Taiwan. Expats working in Malaysia can enroll in the Foreign Workers Hospitalization and Surgical Scheme through their employers.

Are you ready to begin shopping for your private health insurance plan for Malaysia? Contact the insurance experts at Pacific Prime. We partner with a diverse range of top international health insurance providers in Malaysia, other Asian countries, and across the globe. 

We are brokers with over 20 years of experience in providing insurance solutions to expats and digital nomads worldwide. We can help you understand insurance quotes and plans and offer our unbiased advice. If you’d like to compare plans on your own, feel free to use our free quote generator. 

If you’d like to read more helpful guides on health insurance costs for expats, check out our articles below: 

• How Much Does Health Insurance Cost in Singapore?
• How Much Does Health Insurance Cost in Indonesia?

• Author
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Serena Fung

Head of Content at Pacific Prime

Serena Fung is the Head of Content at Pacific Prime, a global insurance brokerage and employee specialist serving over 1.5 million clients in 15 offices across the world. With 6+ years of experience writing about the subject, she aims to demystify the world of insurance for readers with the latest updates, guides and articles on the blog.

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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