Health insurance for foreigners in Johor Bahru (2026): MM2H rules, hospital charges and what to check

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By Jason Lim, REN 84424 · IQI Realty · Checked on 5 November 2026

This guide is for expatriates, MM2H participants, retirees and Singapore commuters living in Johor Bahru. The short answer: foreigners pay non-citizen rates at government hospitals and full rates at private ones, so most foreign residents carry private health insurance. MM2H lists health insurance as a renewal document for participants below 60, and Malaysian medical premiums have been repriced since 2024, with Bank Negara measures keeping most yearly increases below 10% until the end of 2026.

Why foreigners in JB need their own cover

In June 2026 the Health Minister said foreigners are not entitled to government healthcare subsidies: a foreigner pays RM120 for a specialist outpatient visit, against as little as RM5 for a Malaysian. Your home-country scheme may not pay Malaysian bills either, so check with it.

Foreign residents usually pay through a Malaysian medical policy, an international health plan, employer cover or out of pocket. This is general information, not medical or financial advice, and I do not recommend any insurer or plan. Check details with the insurer and the hospital.

What MM2H requires in 2026

I checked the MOTAC and MM2H documents on 5 November 2026. The conditions depend on your stage:

Stage	Medical condition	Where it is stated
After approval	Compulsory medical check-up for the principal and dependants at a panel clinic or hospital appointed by MOTAC	Terms and Regulations for new Platinum, Gold and Silver participants (accurate as of 22 July 2024); mm2h.gov.my guidelines
Adding a dependant	Health insurance, exempt for age 60 and above, plus a medical report on MOTAC’s medical form	MOTAC MM2H application guidelines booklet (2026)
Five-year renewal	Health insurance if below 60, plus the latest medical report	Application guidelines booklet; Terms and Regulations
Using the fixed deposit	Up to 50% of the principal’s fixed deposit can be withdrawn after approval for purposes that include medical treatment in Malaysia	Terms and Regulations (Platinum, Gold and Silver)

Has it changed? Not that I could find: the 2026 booklet matches the July 2024 terms and spells out the age-60 exemption. No document gives a minimum sum insured or a required plan type, so confirm the requirement for your category and stage before you buy.

MOTAC’s own lists. MOTAC’s MM2H page links to a list of 41 insurance and takaful companies that participants may use “among others”, and a list of 76 clinics and hospitals for the check-up. Its six Johor entries are Columbia Asia Hospital Iskandar Puteri, Gleneagles Hospital Medini Johor, KPJ Johor, KPJ Puteri Specialist Hospital, KPJ Pasir Gudang Specialist Hospital and Regency Specialist Hospital in Masai. I name them only because MOTAC lists them; I do not recommend one over another.

For the application itself, I coordinate with a MOTAC-licensed MM2H agent and handle the property side. MOTAC and the Immigration Department decide every case, so nobody can promise approval. See the MM2H FAQ, my MM2H property support page and the MM2H eligibility checker.

Public vs private hospitals: how foreigners use them

JB has two large Health Ministry hospitals, Hospital Sultanah Aminah in the city and Hospital Sultan Ismail in Mount Austin, plus several private ones; my guide to hospitals and healthcare in Johor Bahru lists them by area.

Government hospitals: non-citizen charges

Item (non-citizen)	Published charge
General outpatient visit	RM40
Specialist outpatient visit, first or follow-up (consultation and medicine; tests extra)	RM120
Accident and emergency	RM100
Ward, per day	RM160 (third class) to RM320 (single room)
Admission deposit	RM1,400 (third-class medical) or RM2,800 (surgical), per the Health Minister in March 2026

• Emergencies are treated first. The Health Minister said in June 2026 that hospitals treat emergency and childbirth cases regardless of nationality and collect payment afterwards. For life-saving cases, a form known as Annex A defers the deposit while the patient is stabilised; it is not a waiver.
• Insurance and the deposit. In March 2026 the minister said the deposit is waived only for foreigners with valid insurance, naming schemes such as the foreign workers’ scheme. Ask whether the hospital accepts your private policy instead.
• No MM2H rate. I found no official MOH statement that MM2H holders pay citizen rates.

Private hospitals and clinics

Doctors’ fees in private practice follow the schedule under the Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act 1998. From 2 April 2026 (P.U.(A) 150/2026) it sets a private clinic GP consultation at RM10 to RM80 and a specialist first consultation at RM80 to RM235, consultation only. A hospital bill adds room, medicines, tests, theatre time and consumables, so the total is usually far above the doctor’s fee. Insured patients often use the insurer’s panel hospitals, where cashless admission can take the place of an upfront deposit. Ask the hospital for a written estimate before any planned admission.

Local medical cards vs international health plans

A “medical card” is a medical insurance or takaful policy from a Malaysian insurer. International plans cover you in several countries and suit people who split time between JB and home. The differences below are general; each policy’s terms decide.

Point to compare	Local medical card	International health plan
Where it pays	Mainly treatment in Malaysia; overseas cover, if any, is limited	Several countries, often with a choice of regions
How hospital bills are paid	Cashless admission at the insurer’s panel hospitals; elsewhere you usually pay and claim	Varies; ask which JB hospitals the insurer settles with directly
Rules that apply	Bank Negara’s medical and health insurance rules, including the repricing measures and co-payment options	The rules of the country where the insurer is licensed; check whether it is licensed in Malaysia
Complaints	The insurer first, then BNMLINK or the Financial Market Ombudsman Service	Depends on the insurer’s home regulator
Eligibility for foreigners	Set by each insurer; ask whether your pass type and length of stay qualify	Usually written for expatriates; ask about the country of residence

Employer cover. A group plan may cover you; ask whether it covers treatment in Malaysia, your family, and what happens when you leave the job.

Age limits, pre-existing conditions and waiting periods

These matter most to retirees and anyone with a health history. Each insurer sets its own terms, but the official guidance is consistent:

• Pre-existing conditions. Most medical policies do not cover conditions you had before the policy started, according to insuranceinfo.com.my. Maternity and congenital conditions are also commonly excluded.
• Waiting period. Claims for illness are usually not payable in the first 30 days, except for accidental injury. Read the policy for its exact waiting periods.
• Disclosure. You must reveal relevant health details on the application. Failing to do so may make the policy invalid. In July 2026 the Deputy Finance Minister said Bank Negara was considering a “no look-back” rule that would stop insurers rejecting claims over undeclared conditions that were not deliberately hidden, after a period of continuous cover. No timeline was given.
• Renewal. He also said insurers cannot cancel a medical policy on their own, or refuse renewal only because of past claims or changes in your health after cover began.
• Age limits. Policies set a maximum entry age and an age up to which they renew. As one published example, the new base plan can be bought up to age 70 with cover to age 85, according to Bank Negara. Premiums also rise as you move into older age bands.
• Cooling-off period. A new individual health policy usually gives you 15 days to review it and return it for a refund of the premium.

If you are over 60 or have an ongoing condition, keep existing cover until a new policy is in force and ask the insurer in writing how your condition will be treated.

The 2024 to 2026 medical premium repricing

Many policyholders saw large medical premium increases in late 2024. Insurers blamed rising treatment costs, new technology and higher use of healthcare, and Bank Negara stepped in:

Date	What happened
1 September 2024	Insurers must offer a co-payment option, priced 19% to 68% below comparable plans. It does not apply to emergencies, critical-illness outpatient follow-up or government facilities. Plans without co-payment remain available.
December 2024	Insurers said recent increases of 40% to 70% would not be reversed, according to LIAM’s chief executive.
20 December 2024	Interim measures: increases spread over at least three years until the end of 2026, with at least 80% of policyholders expected to see yearly rises below 10%; a one-year pause for those aged 60 and above on their product’s minimum plan; alternative plans at the same or lower premium without new underwriting.
22 January 2026	A standardised base plan and stronger rules for all medical products announced; policyholders facing repricing can switch to it without new underwriting.
July 2026	The base plan, now called MediAsas, began a pilot phase for a nationwide launch in 2027.
October 2026	CodeBlue reported that one insurer told policyholders of yearly increases of 9% for three years from November 2026, as the interim measures come to an end.

What it means for foreigners. If you hold a Malaysian medical policy, the interim measures cover you as a policyholder, but they end with 2026, so ask your insurer what it plans for 2027 onwards. The base plan is described by Bank Negara as a plan for Malaysians; its page does not say whether foreign residents can buy it, so ask before counting on it. Budget for premiums as a rising line in your JB cost of living plan.

Using Singapore insurance in JB

• MediShield Life does not apply. Singapore’s MOH said in September 2024 that it is a basic plan for subsidised bills in Singapore public hospitals and is not extended to overseas treatment.
• MediSave for elective care. Singapore citizens and PRs can use MediSave for elective stays and day surgery at Regency Specialist Hospital in JB and Mahkota Medical Centre in Melaka, only through referral by HMI Medical Centre. MOH reported about 300 claims a year from 2023 to 2025 and, in September 2026, said it is reviewing the scheme because of the RTS Link.
• Emergencies. CPF says MediSave may be used for an overseas emergency admission or day surgery case by case, after the event. Outpatient treatment is excluded.
• Integrated Shield and employer plans. Overseas cover varies; ask in writing whether planned and emergency treatment in Malaysia is covered.

If you live in JB and work in Singapore, see my guide to living in JB and working in Singapore and the list of JB homes near the RTS Link station.

What to check before buying a policy

1. The insurer. Deal only with a licensed insurer, its authorised agent or a licensed broker.
2. Eligibility. Whether your pass, nationality and time spent in Malaysia qualify, and what happens if you leave Malaysia.
3. MM2H fit. If you need the policy for MM2H, confirm with the licensed MM2H agent that it meets the requirement for your stage.
4. Panel hospitals. Which JB hospitals give cashless admission, and how you claim elsewhere.
5. Limits. Annual and lifetime limits, room and board limits, and outpatient cover, if any.
6. Your share. Deductible, co-payment percentage and the maximum you pay out of pocket.
7. Exclusions. Pre-existing conditions, maternity, congenital conditions and waiting periods.
8. Renewal and age. Maximum entry and renewal ages, and how premiums change by age band.
9. Repricing history. Ask what the insurer has announced for 2027 onwards.
10. Documents. Read the policy wording and disclosure documents, and keep a copy of your application.

Health insurance is separate from insuring your home. If you buy, my guide to property insurance in Malaysia covers fire, houseowner and householder policies. Retirees can read more in my guide to retiring in Johor Bahru.

Where to buy if this matters to you

Foreigners can generally buy Johor residential property only from RM1 million, with exceptions such as designated zones (New Straits Times, April 2026). If being near a hospital matters, these area guides are a good start. The hospitals named are on MOTAC’s MM2H list or are Health Ministry hospitals.

• JB Sentral and Bukit Chagar: KPJ Johor, KPJ Puteri and Hospital Sultanah Aminah in the city centre, plus the RTS Link station.
• Iskandar Puteri: Gleneagles Medini and Columbia Asia Iskandar Puteri, near the Second Link.
• Mount Austin: Hospital Sultan Ismail is in Taman Mount Austin.
• Permas Jaya and Senibong: within reach of Regency Specialist Hospital in Masai and KPJ Pasir Gudang.

Compare them on my JB property map.

More Johor living guides: Hospitals and healthcare in JB · Retiring in JB · Cost of living in JB · Gyms, sports and parks in JB

Frequently asked questions

Do foreigners need health insurance to live in Johor Bahru?

MM2H lists health insurance for renewals below age 60 and for adding dependants. Beyond that, foreigners pay non-citizen rates at government hospitals and full rates at private ones, so most foreign residents carry some cover.

What health insurance does MM2H require?

MOTAC’s 2026 guidelines list health insurance for a five-year renewal if below 60, and when adding a dependant, with those aged 60 and above exempt. A medical check-up at a MOTAC-appointed panel clinic or hospital is required after approval. No minimum cover amount is published.

How much do foreigners pay at government hospitals in Malaysia?

Under MOH’s non-citizen charges, RM40 for a general outpatient visit, RM120 for a specialist visit and RM100 at the emergency department, with wards from RM160 to RM320 a day. In March 2026 the Health Minister put admission deposits at RM1,400 (medical) and RM2,800 (surgical).

Why have medical insurance premiums gone up in Malaysia?

Insurers point to rising treatment costs, new technology and higher use of healthcare. After large increases in late 2024, Bank Negara required insurers to spread increases over at least three years until the end of 2026, with most yearly rises expected below 10%.

Can foreigners buy the new MediAsas base plan?

Bank Negara describes the base plan as a plan for Malaysians and does not say whether foreign residents can buy it. Its pilot began in July 2026, with a nationwide launch in 2027. Ask insurers about eligibility when it launches.

Does Singapore insurance cover treatment in Johor Bahru?

MediShield Life does not. MediSave can pay for elective stays at Regency Specialist Hospital in JB only through HMI Medical Centre’s referral, and for overseas emergencies case by case. For Integrated Shield or employer plans, ask your insurer in writing.

Moving to JB and planning your healthcare?

Tell me your pass or MM2H plans, the hospital you want to be near and your budget. I will shortlist nearby homes and coordinate with a MOTAC-licensed MM2H agent if you are applying. You can also book an appointment, or a Zoom consultation if you are still abroad. For insurance questions, speak to a licensed insurer or broker.

Sources: MOTAC, Terms and Regulations for New Participants under MM2H (accurate as of 22 July 2024), accessed November 2026; MOTAC, MM2H Application Guidelines Booklet (2026), accessed November 2026; MM2H official site, requirements and regulations (last update 10/02/2026), accessed November 2026; MOTAC, Malaysia My Second Home programme page, accessed November 2026; MOTAC, List of Insurance Companies in Malaysia (MM2H), accessed November 2026; MOTAC, List of Clinics, Hospitals and Medical Centres (MM2H), accessed November 2026; JKN Pahang (MOH), non-citizen treatment charges, checked November 2026; Hospital Permai Johor Bahru, non-citizen charges (2024), checked November 2026; The Sun, “Annex A form clarifies payment process for foreign patients”, 15 March 2026; New Straits Times, “Foreigners not entitled to healthcare subsidies, says Dzulkefly”, 15 June 2026; MOH, P.U.(A) 150/2026, private healthcare fee schedule amendment, effective 2 April 2026; insuranceinfo.com.my, Medical & Health Insurance, accessed November 2026; insuranceinfo.com.my, insurance glossary, accessed November 2026; Bank Negara Malaysia, Implementation of Co-Payment Requirements for Medical and Health Insurance and Takaful Products, 6 July 2024; Bank Negara Malaysia, interim measures for medical and health insurance/takaful policyholders, 20 December 2024; Bank Negara Malaysia, base MHIT plan page, accessed November 2026; The Vibes, “No immediate change to 40-70pct premium hikes, says insurers”, 3 December 2024; Bernama, Bank Negara to strengthen rules on medical insurance as base plan rolls out, 22 January 2026; MIFC (from The Star), “New base medical insurance plan to begin by month’s end”, 1 July 2026; Malay Mail, on the MediAsas base plan, 5 August 2026; The Vibes, “Govt tightens insurance rules to protect policyholders from arbitrary cancellations and claim disputes”, 6 July 2026; CodeBlue, on one insurer’s medical repricing from November 2026, 21 October 2026; Ministry of Health Singapore, MediSave claims for overseas treatment and MediShield Life, 9 September 2024; Ministry of Health Singapore, reviewing the MediSave scheme for overseas elective treatments, 9 September 2026 (updated 3 November 2026); CPF Board, using MediSave for overseas treatment, accessed November 2026; New Straits Times, “Foreigners hit Johor property resale wall”, 20 April 2026

Jason Lim, REN 84424, IQI Realty Sdn. Bhd. E (1) 1584/6. General information checked on 5 November 2026, not medical, insurance or financial advice. I do not recommend any insurer, plan or hospital. Charges, premiums and MM2H rules change; confirm with the hospital, your insurer and a MOTAC-licensed MM2H agent before you commit.