Gov't moves to lift cap on GP fees - Health Minister

Cabinet has decided to abolish the cap on consultation fees for medical general practitioners and dentists.

"Patients can evaluate and decide (for themselves) if the fees are appropriate.

"The abolishment of this price cap is another measure to help the public make better choices," said Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad (photo) in a statement last night.

Once the policy is implemented, patients must be informed of consultation fee prices before they are treated.

Complaints against fees and services can be addressed to the Private Medical Practice Control Section through the [email protected] email.

Dzulkefly did not state a time frame for this new policy to be implemented, however, he did indicate that it would still take some time.

"The Health Ministry will take appropriate measures to realise this decision.

"We will hold briefings on this matter with interested parties," he said.

General practitioner and dental fees are regulated by the Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Regulation 2006, which is under the seventh schedule of the Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act 1998.

Dzulkefly said the regulation has not been amended since 2006.