Understanding the Decision to Purchase Health Insurance Among Academicians

This study investigates various factors influencing the decision of academicians in Malaysia to purchase health insurance. Health insurance is a policy that gives coverage for medical expenses and hospitalization. In Malaysia, health policy is commonly known as medical policy and the term medical card is broadly used to represent health policy and the benefits available under the policy. Through qualitative interviews with six faculty members, the research uncovers the complexities of the decision-making process. The findings reveal that personal experiences, cultural values, social influences, and financial considerations significantly shape these decisions. However, the study's small sample size and regional specificity limit the generalizability of the results. Future research should address these limitations by incorporating a larger and more diverse sample to enhance the external validity of the findings. Such an approach would provide a more comprehensive understanding of the factors influencing health insurance decisions and inform policy interventions aimed at improving healthcare accessibility and affordability.