Insurance

Best Medical Card for Babies in Malaysia [2025 Guide]

By Aisha Liyana July 4, 2025 (Last updated) 8 min read

Perhaps the most important thing that should be on your mind after having a baby is ensuring that their safety and health are guaranteed at all times.

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While the whole experience is going to feel new and a bit overwhelming, it is wise to plan out their necessities even before they are born.

Milk, nappies, and clothes are all important – but have you thought about your baby’s insurance? In this guide, we aim to help you choose a medical card for your baby that suits your needs, budget and expectations.

Why Do Babies Need a Medical Card Early On?

You will quickly realise that kids, particularly babies, get sick often. When they do, the last thing you should be worried about is money!

Medical cards for babies are just like the ones we adults have. It will cover any cost incurred at the hospital and in most cases even pre and post hospitalisation treatments. Let’s look at some of the types of medical cards that are available :

Comprehensive medical card: A card that covers all inpatient costs including pre- and post-hospitalisation
Basic-hospitalisation Only Cards: Plans that cover only if hospitalized plus medical procedures
Child/Baby Plans: Plans which are specifically made for babies and kids which might include vaccination coverage
Takaful Medical Cards: Plans which are shariah compliant
Rider Based Medical Cards: Add-ons which usually accompany other existing plans likely to belong to parents of children

Key Features to Look for in a Baby Medical Card

Not all medical cards are created equal. When considering, these are some of the features you should look for:

Room and Board Limits (e.g, RM 200 or RM 500/day)

Every hospital’s room and board charges are different. If you want the best and most comfortable rooms should your child be admitted to the hospital overnight, look at how much private hospitals charge per night.

For example, if your child is admitted for one night at Pantai Hospital, the minimum charge for a shared room is RM105. However, it can go up to RM725 per night for a more premium room type.

Annual and Lifetime Coverage Caps

Plans can provide different coverages. Some give you up to RM100,000 every year while others might go up to RM1.5 million per year without any limits. Having a higher limit means that if any long-term illness occurs, then your kid is better protected.

Inpatient vs Outpatient Coverage

According to FWD Insurance, ‘inpatient is when you have to stay the night for a surgical procedure or conditions, meanwhile, outpatient is like a medical pitstop you’re in and out on the same day, usually for routine check-ups or minor procedures.’

When considering a medical card for your baby, remember to select a plan that is comprehensive which will cover both inpatient and outpatient care.

Cashless Hospital Admission

Hospital admissions will always involve a deposit although the treatment is covered under your baby’s insurance. If cash may not be available for you at all times, consider looking for features like cashless admission, so that you can walk into a hospital without having to pay anything upfront.

Shariah-Compliant (Takaful) Options

Muslims who are concerned about Shariah compliance can consider shariah compliant options which strictly follow Islamic principles. By choosing a shariah compliant baby insurance, you might enjoy additional benefits in the form of surplus distribution through ethical investing.

Top 5 Best Medical Cards for Babies in Malaysia (2025)

Agencies & Plans	Type	Key Features of Plans	Pros	Cons	Best For
AIA A-Plus Med i	Takaful	-Annual limit of RM260,000 -Room and board up to RM500 -Available for age 14 days and above	-High annual limit -Provides inpatient and outpatient care	-Mandatory savings component – Excludes cosmetic treatments, pre-existing conditions	-Those who want long-term coverage + savings
Etiqa Elite Takaful Medical Plus	Takaful	-Annual limit of RM1.5M -Auto-increase in benefit by 10% yearly – Outpatient cancer/dialysis covered	-Shariah-compliant – Covers hereditary conditions – Provides ‘no claim discount’ (NCD)	-Age-based premium hikes -Excludes non-emergency overseas treatments	-Those who look for Shariah compliance and a high annual limit
Great Eastern i-Great Evo (Baby Plan)	Baby specific plan	-Coverage from 14 days old – Congenital conditions are covered – Annual limit of RM150K	-Provides child-specific perks like vaccination reimbursement, developmental benefits	-Low annual cap -Excludes preterm birth complications (<37 weeks)	-Best for those looking for coverage within 2 weeks of birth
Takaful myClick MediCare	Takaful	– Annual limit of RM1 million – Room & board limit of RM100/day (max 60 days/year) – No medical underwriting	-Affordable premium -Instant digital certificate	-Starts at age 6 and above only -Limited hospital panels	-Those who are budget-conscious looking for quick, simple protection
Fi Life Medical Plan	Term medical plan	– Flexible sum insured – No lifetime limit – Optional outpatient rider	-Low premiums competitors – No investment linkage	-No pediatric-specific benefits – Excludes pre-existing conditions	-Great for those looking for low-cost but flexible individual policies

How to Choose the Right Medical Card for Your Baby

Assess Your Budget and Hospital Preferences

Budget: Pre-determine how much you can afford monthly or annually for insurance. This will become a fixed expense so, choose a plan you can maintain consistently despite the increase in price with age.

Hospital Preferences: Ask yourself if you rather get baby care at a private or public healthcare facility. Some plans may not include every hospital, so take that into account if you have preferences for hospitals and if you need cashless admission.

[su_note note_color=”#ffffff” text_color=”#000000″ radius=”10″]Pro Tip: If you prefer private rooms or certain hospitals (such as KPJ, Prince Court, Pantai), ensure the room and board allowance meets their rates where RM200–RM500/day is typical.[/su_note]

Compare Benefits vs Premium

Is the extra premium worth it when you think of the benefits? Think about all the below and what is important for your baby’s care.

Room and Board Daily Limit
Annual and Lifetime Limits
Outpatient and Specialist Coverage
Emergency Services
Pre and Post-hospitalisation Benefits

[su_box title=”For example:” box_color=”#77001d” title_color=”#ffffff” radius=”10″]For example: Plan A might have a premium of RM100/month with RM100,000 annual limit whereas Plan B costs RM150/month but gives RM1.5 million annual limit and includes outpatient care. Doesn’t the increase in premium justify the benefit?[/su_box]

Consider Long-Term Suitability and Portability

Long-Term Suitability: Your baby will grow throughout the years, so always consider choosing a plan that can grow with your baby/child. You will find that some plans allow you to increase coverage or add riders like critical illness, dental, so avoid plans that cannot be upgraded should you need it.

Portability: Your family will not be the same forever. You might have more children, change jobs or even move across the state. Make sure that your chosen plan is not tied to your job and one that provides no lifetime limit which is ideal in the long run.

[su_note note_color=”#ffffff” text_color=”#000000″ radius=”10″]Pro Tip: Make sure the plan you select provides guaranteed renewability to ensure security for your growing child.[/su_note]

Quick Medical Card Checklist for New Parents

1. Entry Age Suitability

Confirm the minimum entry age. Although most medical cards accept babies from 14 to 30 days old, it is important to confirm this information beforehand especially for parents who want immediate protection after birth.

2. Preferred Hospital Coverage

Is the nearest hospital included in your coverage? Check and double confirm that it indeed is, as chances are you will go to the nearest hospital for any emergency even before your preferred hospital (check if those are included too!) Make sure that the room and board limit in your plan matches the hospital’s charges so that it is fully covered under the baby’s insurance.

3. Affordability

Paying for baby insurance in Malaysia will become a monthly expense so consider your monthly or annual premium budget. A good plan should be sustainable long-term, especially as premiums may rise with the age of your kids.

4. Coverage Scope

Look for plans that cover Inpatient and outpatient care, surgical and ICU treatment as well as pre- and post-hospitalisation services. You can never be too careful when it comes to the safety and wellbeing of your children. You can also optionally also include coverage for emergency evacuation and daycare procedures.

5. Long-Term Value

Choose a plan with a high annual limit for example, RM100k or more when selecting a medical card for your baby. Plans with no plans with no lifetime limit or guaranteed coverage until age 70 or beyond is also preferred and it’s always good to ensure guaranteed renewability, even if your child develops a condition later.

6. Shariah Compliance (Optional)

For Muslim families, confirm if the plan is Takaful-based and compliant with Shariah principles.

7. Claims and Customer Service

Look into the insurer’s claim reputation – are they fast and transparent? Read reviews or ask for feedback from existing users on customer service quality.

Conclusion

It’s only natural as parents to want the best for your baby care. That said, you can ensure that your baby gets the right healthcare and a secure start in life by choosing the right medical card for your baby.

A reliable baby insurance also means that you’re more than protected during emergencies or uncertain times. With these being covered by the medical card, you can focus on what matters most that is your baby and your family.

Aisha Liyana

Aisha Liyana, an expert in the Malaysian insurance market, specializes in life, health, and property insurance. Her articles, rich in practical advice and detailed coverage analysis, guide Malaysians in making informed insurance decisions. Aisha focuses on policy comparisons and risk management, aiming to enhance financial well-being and protection.

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