Getting sick is expensive. Even with affordable clinics and government hospitals, a serious diagnosis can drain your savings faster than you expect. Between medical bills, unpaid leave, and household costs, illness can throw a family’s finances into chaos – especially if you’re already living on a tight budget.
That’s why Malaysia introduced MySalam and Peka B40 – two government-backed health protection programmes designed to make sure getting sick doesn’t mean going broke.
These initiatives are often overshadowed by flashier subsidies like BUDI95 (fuel) or Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (cash aid), but for millions of Malaysians, they’ve been absolute lifelines in times of crisis.
If you’ve ever wondered how they work, who qualifies, and how you can actually claim them, here’s your all-in-one guide.
Why Malaysia Needed Health Protection Beyond Hospitals
Let’s be honest – Malaysia’s public healthcare system is one of the best bargains in the world. You can get treatment for RM1 or RM5, and surgeries that would cost thousands elsewhere are heavily subsidised.
But here’s the catch: while hospital bills might be affordable, life outside the hospital isn’t.
When you’re seriously ill, you might lose income because you can’t work. Your spouse might need to take time off to care for you. You might need supplements, home care, or transport for follow-ups. That’s where financial protection becomes just as important as medical access.
So, Malaysia created two complementary programmes:
- MySalam: Insurance-style protection that gives cash payouts for critical illnesses and hospitalisation.
- Peka B40: Preventive health screening and medical device aid for low-income adults, to catch diseases early.
Together, they form the healthcare safety net for millions of Malaysians under the BUDI MADANI vision by ensuring that no one is left behind when it comes to health.
What is MySalam?
MySalam is a national health protection scheme that provides cash benefits to Malaysians diagnosed with critical illnesses or who are hospitalised.
Think of it as free insurance coverage, funded entirely by the government. You don’t pay a single sen in premiums ! However if something serious happens, you can claim financial support.
The programme was launched in 2019 and is managed by Perbadanan Insurans Nasional Berhad (PINS) under the Ministry of Finance.
Who is Eligible For MySalam?
MySalam primarily targets low-income Malaysians who are registered under Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) or similar databases.
✅ You Qualify If You:
- Are a Malaysian citizen aged 18–65 years.
- Are a STR recipient (household or single category).
- Have a valid MyKad.
As of 2025, MySalam coverage automatically extends to over 8 million Malaysians in the B40 and lower M40 groups.
There’s no need to apply manually – if you’re eligible, you’re automatically covered.
What Does MySalam Cover?
The scheme provides two main types of benefits:
💰 1. Critical Illness Payout
If you’re diagnosed with one of 45 covered critical illnesses – such as cancer, stroke, heart attack, kidney failure, or severe asthma – you’ll receive a lump-sum payment of RM8,000.
This payout is meant to help you cover:
- Loss of income during treatment
- Transportation or care costs
- Nutritional or home care needs
You can only claim this once, but it’s a significant relief when you need it most.
🏥 2. Hospitalisation Benefit
If you’re hospitalised at a government or MOH-registered hospital, you’ll receive RM50 per day, up to a maximum of RM700 per year.
This applies for any cause of hospitalisation – not just critical illness.
How to Check If You’re Covered Under MySalam
- Visit the official MySalam portal: https://www.mysalam.com.my
- Click “Semak Kelayakan” (Check Eligibility).
- Enter your MyKad number.
- The system will confirm whether you’re covered.
If eligible, you can also log in to file a claim directly online – no paperwork or in-person visit needed.
How to Make A Claim Under MySalam
🧾 Step 1: Prepare documents
- MyKad (NRIC)
- Medical report from a government hospital
- Hospital discharge summary or diagnosis letter
🧾 Step 2: Submit Online
- Go to https://www.mysalam.com.my
- Log in and select the type of claim (Critical Illness or Hospitalisation)
- Upload supporting documents
🧾 Step 3: Wait For Processing
Claims are usually processed within 14 working days, and payments are made directly to your bank account.
What is Peka B40?
While MySalam helps after you fall ill, Peka B40 focuses on preventive healthcare – catching diseases before they get serious.
The programme is run by the Ministry of Health (MOH) through ProtectHealth Corporation (the same agency behind Skim Perubatan Madani).
Launched in 2019, Peka B40 offers free health screenings and medical aid to Malaysians aged 40 and above in the B40 group.
Who is Eligible For Peka B40?
✅ You Qualify If You:
- Are a Malaysian citizen aged 40 and above.
- Are a recipient of STR (Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah) or listed under the B40 database.
- Have a valid MyKad.
If you’re eligible, you don’t need to apply – just walk into a Peka B40-registered clinic and show your MyKad for verification.
What Benefits Does Peka B40 Provide?
Peka B40 comes with four main components which are all free of charge:
1. Free Health Screening
Covers essential check-ups for:
- Blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol
- Body Mass Index (BMI)
- Urine tests
- Depression and mental health screening (in newer versions)
The goal is early detection – so illnesses like diabetes, hypertension, or kidney disease can be managed before they worsen.
2. Medical Aid Assistance
If you’re diagnosed with certain chronic conditions, Peka B40 helps pay for medical devices such as:
- Hearing aids
- Wheelchairs
- Walking frames
- Prosthetics
- Spectacles (for vision correction)
3. Cancer Treatment Incentive
Patients diagnosed with cancer at government hospitals may receive up to RM1,000 in transportation aid for repeated visits.
4. Health Promotion Programmes
Community health campaigns are organised to encourage better lifestyles – especially around diet, exercise, and regular screenings.
How to Check or Register For Peka B40
- Visit https://www.pekab40.com.my
- Click “Semak Kelayakan” (Check Eligibility).
- Enter your MyKad number.
- If eligible, locate the nearest Peka B40 panel clinic.
Alternatively, you can call ProtectHealth’s hotline (1-800-22-6600) or use the Peka B40 clinic locator on their website.
MySalam vs Peka B40: What’s The Difference?
| Feature | MySalam | Peka B40 |
|---|---|---|
| Managed by | Ministry of Finance (via PINS) | Ministry of Health (via ProtectHealth) |
| Target group | B40, 18–65 years | B40, 40 years and above |
| Type of aid | Cash payout for illness or hospitalisation | Free health screening and medical aid |
| Focus | Protection after illness | Prevention and early detection |
| Application | Automatic (via STR) | Walk-in verification at clinics |
| Coverage | Critical illness + hospitalisation | Screening + devices + cancer aid |
Together, they form a two-layer health safety net: One protects your wallet, the other protects your health.
How These Schemes Make A Difference
Meet Rosnah, a 52-year-old mother of three from Kedah. She discovered high blood pressure during a free Peka B40 screening, which prompted her to start medication early. Later, when her husband was diagnosed with kidney failure, MySalam provided an RM8,000 payout that helped them cover treatment-related expenses.
Or Ahmad, a 45-year-old ride-hailing driver from Kuala Lumpur, who received RM350 after a short hospital stay due to dengue fever – thanks to MySalam’s hospitalisation benefit.
These are just a few examples of how small interventions can have a huge impact by keeping households stable in the face of health shocks.
Why non-Malaysians Should Know About This Too
If you’re an expat, NGO worker, or policymaker, MySalam and Peka B40 offer an interesting model for universal healthcare in a middle-income country.
Malaysia’s approach combines public healthcare access with targeted financial protection, without burdening citizens with insurance premiums.
In short: it’s a hybrid between welfare and insurance, built on digital systems that identify and support vulnerable groups efficiently.
It’s no wonder other ASEAN nations are watching Malaysia’s BUDI MADANI healthcare policies closely.
What’s Next For MySalam and Peka B40
Both programmes are set to evolve with Malaysia’s digital transformation goals. Here’s what’s coming:
- Integration with MyDigital ID for seamless verification.
- Expansion to M40 Households as fiscal room allows.
- Mobile App Integration for easier claim submissions.
- Enhanced Chronic Disease Management Support under Peka B40.
The ultimate goal? A fully unified health protection platform that connects preventive screening (Peka), treatment support (SPM), and financial aid (MySalam) under one system.
Final Thoughts
Health problems don’t discriminate – but access to care often does. That’s why initiatives like MySalam and Peka B40 matter so much.
They bridge the gap between “getting care” and “staying afloat”, ensuring that illness doesn’t automatically lead to poverty.
So if you or your parents fall within the B40 group, don’t wait until something happens.
Check your MySalam and Peka B40 status today – it might just be the most important financial safety net you didn’t know you had.
Because while good health is priceless, a little protection goes a long way when life gets unpredictable.