EPF expands critical illnesses under health withdrawal to 55

KUALA LUMPUR: The Employees Provident Fund (EPF) has extended its list of critical illnesses eligible under its health withdrawal scheme from 39 illnesses to 55.

It said on Thursday, July 14 that with effect from Friday, the members could purchase critical medical support equipment and peripherals.

This comes more than a year after the EPF expanded its list of critical illnesses under its health withdrawal from 13 to 39 on June 15, 2010.

EPF chief executive officer Tan Sri Azlan Zainol said the EPF had taken the initiative to further extend the list of critical illnesses eligible under Health Withdrawal.

“This is 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.”

The latest revised benefits cover 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.

The EPF also said the withdrawal for the purchase of medical support equipment and peripherals was 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, 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.

Members can also make a joint withdrawal with other family members to cover the required medical expenses, subject to the available balance in Account 2 and total cost of the medical treatment.

All withdrawals are subject to the validity of medical report, bills and receipts that must not exceed one year from the date the withdrawal application is submitted. All bills and receipts must also be in the name of the patient or applicant.