EPF expands critical illness list; withdrawal allowed for medical equipment

KUALA LUMPUR: The Employees Provident Fund Thursday announced that it has extended its list of critical illnesses eligible under its health withdrawal scheme from 39 to 55.

It will also permit its members to purchase critical medical support equipment and peripherals effective Friday.

The EPF had last extended its list of critical illnesses under its Health Withdrawal scheme from 13 to 39 on June 15 last year.

In a statement, EPF CEO Tan Sri Azlan Zainol said: "As an organisation that cares for the wellbeing of its members, the EPF has taken the initiative to further extend the list of critical illnesses eligible under Health Withdrawal to help ease the financial burden of members in seeking immediate and the necessary medical treatment.

"In addition, members now may even withdraw for the purpose of purchasing supporting medical equipment," he said.

The latest revised health withdrawal benefits covers an additional 16 types of illnesses including severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung fibrosis, chronic inflammatory bowel disease, systemic sclerosis with pulmonary hypertension and Acquired Immuno-Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), which if not treated at that particular time can prove fatal, as well as three types of mental illnesses.

Withdrawal for the purchase of medical support equipment and peripherals is now permitted to treat patients suffering from all malignancy (cancer) illnesses and illnesses which involve the disorders of cardiovascular system, respiratory system, nervous system, musculoskeletal system and ear.

Under the health withdrawal scheme, members can withdraw savings from their EPF Account 2 to pay for their personal or family members' medical costs incurred for the treatment of critical illnesses.

Family members under this withdrawal include spouse, children, step-children or legally adopted children, parents, parents-in-law, step-parents or legally foster parents, and siblings.