Askes asks govt for Rp 435b in subsidies<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): State-owned health insurance company PT Askes is
\nasking the government to fork out some Rp 36 billion a month or
\nRp 435 billion a year in subsidies for the company's health
\nservices.<\/p>\n
The amount is about equal to the amount received from the
\npremiums paid by the 13.8 million civil servants and their
\nfamilies.<\/p>\n
\"What we get (from the premiums) isn't enough to cover health
\nservices for our members. (But) Increasing the premium will
\nburden our members, so we are appealing to the government
\ninstead,\" PT Askes president Orie Andari Sutadji told reporters.<\/p>\n
The company celebrated its 32nd anniversary on Monday.<\/p>\n
Each civil servant is obligated to pay 2 percent of his or her
\nbasic wage for family coverage in the insurance plan.<\/p>\n
Beside civil servants, there are also some 719,000 voluntary
\nmembers.<\/p>\n
Askes operational director I Gede Subawa said the government
\nin the past had not subsidized insurance premiums. Subsidies were
\ngiven to hospitals where health services were provided.<\/p>\n
Therefore, Askes has been totally depended on the insurance
\npremiums paid by its members to cover expenses, Gede said. \"Even
\nhospitals have complained that the subsidy from the government is
\ntoo small,\" he added.<\/p>\n
Askes' appeal in many respects was prompted by the
\nintroduction of Law No. 43\/1999 which stipulates that the
\ngovernment will contribute to health insurance premiums and other
\nsubsidies for civil servants.<\/p>\n
\"The government regulation (to approve the subsidy) is still
\nin process, but we're positive that the government will grant the
\nfunds,\" Gede said.<\/p>\n
\"People think that with that many members, we have got a lot
\nof money. That's true, but it's not enough. Especially during a
\nmonetary crisis such as this,\" said Orie.<\/p>\n
According to Orie, 87 percent of the funds received goes
\ntoward paying for health services.<\/p>\n
She pointed out that medication for a person with a chronic
\ndisease for example, could cost a minimum of Rp 300,000 per
\nmonth.<\/p>\n
\"Last year, we spent Rp 31 billion on 2,880 kidney failure
\npatients who needed hemodialysis. This year, we predict it will
\nincrease to Rp 44 billion with the same number of patients, due
\nto currency fluctuations,\" Orie said.<\/p>\n
The insurance covers most medication costs with some
\nrequisites.<\/p>\n
Prescribed drugs should be listed in a register of drugs
\ndrafted by a team of pharmaceutical companies and doctors from
\nseveral hospitals in Jakarta.<\/p>\n
There are about 860 items on the current list, complete with
\nthe prices of the drugs.<\/p>\n
Askes also claims to cover almost all hospital expenses.<\/p>\n
\"Patients only pay a little amount called the 'hospital
\ncontrol fee' which differs from hospital to hospital,\" said Gede.<\/p>\n
Despite the tight money situation, Orie maintains that the
\ncompany is far from financially ruin.<\/p>\n
\"God willing, no. That's why we need the government's help,\"
\nOrie said. \"We also have to get more members\".<\/p>\n
Orie also refuted suggestions that the procedure of the
\ninsurance service is complicated and too bureaucratic.<\/p>\n
\"It's not complicated, really. It's just that with millions of
\nmembers, we have to go through some procedures,\" she said. (09)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/askes-asks-govt-for-rp-435b-in-subsidies-1447893297",
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