AIA insurance giant has announced that one of its products has been extended to cover mental health as well. This decision was made to address the growing mental health concerns in Malaysia.
The new enhancement is added to the company’s existing ‘A-Health Plus’ package, allowing subscribers to claim up to RM1,500 yearly for psychiatric consultation at private or government hospitals.
As reported by Malay Mail, the list of conditions covered in the plan include major depressive disorder, post-partum depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and Tourette’s Syndrome.
Chief Marketing Officer of AIA Bhd, Heng Zee Wang said,
“Mental health continues to remain a challenge for both the public and health industry due to lack of data and understanding. While there is definitely more work to be done – AIA is happy to do whatever we can at this point to move the needle forward. One of the first steps we thought to address was seeking treatment, ofthen one of the first barriers in the journey to mental health recovery.”
The product extension was made after the Ministry of Health encouraged insurance companies to cover mental illness in addition to physical illness.
Mental illness is on the rise in Malaysia. In the 2015 National Health and Morbidity Survey by the Ministry of Health, it was discovered that over 4.2 million Malaysians suffer from mental issues.
Whether your current insurance policy covers your mental health or not, it is good for you to go for a consultation so that you can deal with any issues early on. If you are feeling down, anxious, or disturbed in any way, there are people out there who can help. Don’t worry.
Also read: Health Minister: At Least 4.2 Million Malaysians Are Struggling with Mental Health Issues