Kuala Lampur, April 12 -- Have you ever assumed that having private health insurance means you are financially protected when illness strikes?

For many Malaysians, private health insurance (PHI) is seen as a safety net. It promises faster access to treatment, more comfortable facilities, and protection against rising medical costs. It offers reassurance, particularly in a system where public hospitals are often crowded and waiting times can be long.

Yet when patients actually need care, that sense of security does not always hold. Increasingly, evidence suggests that while PHI improves access to healthcare, it does not necessarily shield individuals from financial strain.

Malaysia's healthcare system operates within a delicate balance....