The association said the revision, which takes effect today, marked a long-overdue update to consultation fees that had remained unchanged since 2006.

MMA said the revision was necessary to ensure that primary care remains accessible, affordable, and sustainable, noting that the current pricing model dates back to 1992.

“If we do not build a system for periodic review, we will repeat the same problem a decade from now.”

MMA said the revised fee structure allowed consultation fees to better reflect clinical complexity, market conditions, and patient needs.

However, it said this should not be misunderstood as a blanket increase, and that not all consultations would see higher fees, with charges varying depending on the nature and complexity of care.

The association also highlighted concerns over outdated reimbursement structures, particularly for corporate panels, which it said no longer reflected the scope and responsibility of current medical practice.

It said strengthening primary care was crucial, describing it as the foundation of the healthcare system that supports continuity, early detection, and long-term disease management.

The revision followed an announcement by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in Budget 2026 last October, after which the health ministry finalised amendments to the Seventh Schedule under the Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Regulations 2006, updating GP consultation fees that had remained unchanged since 2006.

The amendment allows private medical practitioners greater flexibility to adjust consultation fees based on market conditions and patient affordability. The ministry has also introduced new guidelines on IV drip services in clinics to ensure safe, ethical, and consistent practice in outpatient care.