KUALA LUMPUR, Dec. 5 -- Nearly seven in 10 companies expect medical insurance costs to rise in 2026, with many already struggling to maintain existing benefits as premiums continue to climb, the Malaysian Employers Federation's (MEF) latest survey has revealed.

Speaking at the launch of the Medical Benefits 2025 survey, 68 per cent of respondents said medical costs are expected to take a significant jump next year; 31 per cent said they expect no change, while just one per cent anticipate a drop.

"Many companies are already struggling with the schemes they have now, so if medical costs keep going up employers simply cannot sustain it 100 percent anymore," said MEF president Datuk Syed Hussain Syed Husman.

"You'll see more companies mov...