The Utilization and Cost-Utility Analysis of The “Skim Peduli Kesihatan for The B40 Group” (PEKA B40) Program among FELDA Lubuk Merbau, Kedah Malaysia Residents

Introduction: Cost-Utility Analysis (CUA) is essential for evaluating healthcare programs. The Malaysian government introduced the PeKa B40 program in 2019, but no economic evaluation has been conducted. This study aims to study the cost utility of the PeKa B40 program among FELDA Lubuk Merbau residents. Materials and Methods A cross-sectional study using convenience sampling was conducted from August 2022 to May 2024 among B40 individuals. Data on sociodemographics, healthcare costs, and Health-Related Quality of Life were collected. QALYs, total costs, the Average Cost-Utility Ratio, and the Incremental Cost-Utility Ratio and sensitivity analysis were calculated. Results The PeKa B40 utilization rate was 41.8% (95% CI: 35.5–48.1). Annual healthcare expenditures were lower for PeKa B40 participants than non-participants [RM571.74(US127.92) versus RM728.74(US163.03)]. The ACUR was RM61 (US138.26)/QALY for the PeKa B40 group versus RM768(US171.82)/QALY for the non-PeKa B40 group. The program's cost per additional QALY gained was RM6,280(US1,405.42) and the ICUR after age matching was RM14,905(US3,335.47) per QALY. Sensitivity analysis indicated ICUR variations from RM200(US44.75) to RM15(US3.35). Conclusion The PeKa B40 program is cost-effective, with lower healthcare costs and improved QALYs for participants. The program’s success is linked to proactive healthcare personnel engagement, supporting its continuation to benefit Malaysia’s low-income population.