Many Indonesians are not covered by health insurance<\/p>\n
By Rita Widiadana and Stevie Emilia<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Money may not buy health, but it goes a long way
\ntoward ensuring lifelong medical care.<\/p>\n
Some people only pray that nothing too serious will affect
\ntheir health, at least until they reach 65, the average life
\nexpectancy of Indonesians.<\/p>\n
Leading a healthy life and adopting good habits does not
\nguarantee a life free of ailments or protection against health
\nproblems.<\/p>\n
There is an important point we sometimes miss entirely: the
\nchances of living a long, full life also depends on identifying
\nand treating an illness at the early stage, which, of course, can
\nrequire quite a lot of money.<\/p>\n
One of the hardest fact to face is that you are suffering from
\na serious illness. With the prices of medical services and drugs
\nskyrocketing, a person can be dumbfounded by the vast cost of
\nmedical treatment. Even a relatively simple operation can cost
\nseveral million rupiah and push you to the brink of bankruptcy.<\/p>\n
If your pocket is full or your employer provides health
\ninsurance or a health allowance, your financial burden may be
\nlighter. But only a few people are lucky enough to have health
\ninsurance.<\/p>\n
The majority of Indonesians have inadequate access to basic
\nhealth services because they do not have the money to pay for
\ndoctor's fees, hospitalization and prescription drugs.<\/p>\n
Unless you are a civil servant, Armed Forces member or an
\nemployee of a state-owned or multinational firm, your chances of
\nbeing reimbursed for your medical bills is slim.<\/p>\n
Currently, only about 13 percent of the more than 200 million
\npopulation is registered at the health insurance schemes managed
\nby state-owned insurance company PT Askes, state-owned PT
\nJamsostek and a small number of private health insurance
\ncompanies.<\/p>\n
Orie Andari Sutadji, head of the Indonesian Insurance
\nCouncil's social and health division, suggests people consider
\njoining a health insurance scheme.<\/p>\n
"Most people do not consider health insurance a priority. They
\nthink it is not necessary to pay for something that is
\nuncertain," explains Orie.<\/p>\n
"Health is one of the most important factors in human life
\nthat should not be ignored."<\/p>\n
At present, only a small number of people can afford health
\ninsurance.<\/p>\n
"Some private companies see the importance of supporting their
\nemployees with various health schemes. That's a good start," Orie
\nsays.<\/p>\n
PT Mustika Ratu, a cosmetic and traditional herbal medicine
\ncompany, is just one example.<\/p>\n
Herlin Herlinda, supervisor of the company's human resources
\ndepartment, explains that the company regards its employees as
\nits main asset.<\/p>\n
"We do care a lot about their health. If they are sick, we
\ncannot do much with our business activities. Therefore,
\nwe try to provide an adequate health allowance to make them feel
\nsecure," Herlinda says.<\/p>\n
PT Mustika Ratu established a medical clinic that offers free
\nservices to the company's employees. "But they can go to other
\nplaces and we reimburse them based on the company's health
\nscheme," Herlinda says.<\/p>\n
She adds that the company has signed joint agreements with
\nseveral hospitals in Jakarta to treat employees who require
\nhospital treatment.<\/p>\n
PT Mustika Ratu's health scheme was designed in accordance
\nwith job levels. "We include staff members in the managerial
\nlevel in our health insurance scheme," Herlinda says.<\/p>\n
Despite the economic crisis, she says, the company is eager to
\nimprove its health scheme, including the inclusion of the entire
\npersonnel in health insurance programs.<\/p>\n
"The provision of a health allowance helps workers gain job
\nsecurity. A high salary does not necessarily safeguard them,"
\nHerlinda says.<\/p>\n
Other company, Bisnis Indonesia daily, also has a health
\ninsurance scheme for its employees and their families.<\/p>\n
Previously, the daily covered all medical expenses with its
\nown health program which covered hospitalization, prescribed
\nmedicine and doctor fees, says Wininti Karyani, head of the
\ndaily's human resources development department. The company's
\nprogram also included allowances for minor medical treatment in
\nits workers' monthly salaries.<\/p>\n
Now the company has joined an insurance company and pays an
\nannual premium of Rp 180 million.<\/p>\n
"Yet we often face difficulties in getting our claims paid.
\nThe process is so complicated," complains Karyani.<\/p>\n
Orie, who is also a director at PT Askes, acknowledges that
\nclients are often dissatisfied with the services provided by
\ninsurance companies.<\/p>\n
"Many promotion campaigns for health insurance schemes are
\nexaggerated. Yet insurance companies must provide their best
\nservices and not cheat their clients," warns Orie.<\/p>\n
The Indonesian Insurance Council, however, has no authority to
\nsanction errant insurance companies because companies are not
\nobliged to join the council.<\/p>\n
"We haven't received any complaints. But we do appreciate it
\nwhen the public informs us immediately of any deviation
\nconcerning an insurance claim," says Orie.<\/p>\n
Joseph Kristanto Tan, president of PT Asuransi Cigna
\nIndonesia, earlier told The Jakarta Post that many people believe
\nit is difficult for a policyholder to process an insurance claim.<\/p>\n
The perception does exist and there are many reasons behind
\nthe problems, he says.<\/p>\n
One common problem is inadequate or incomplete documentation.
\nPeople should understand that an insurance company needs complete
\ndocumentation before it is able to settle a claim.<\/p>\n
"Policyholders must have an understanding of what their
\ninsurance covers before they make a claim," he says.<\/p>\n
S. Budisuharto, managing director of Lippo Life Insurance
\ncompany, also says that insurance companies must be active in
\npromoting their services and increase people's understanding of
\nhealth insurance.<\/p>\n
"We invite people to make prudent financial plans that will
\nsupport their future and ensure a secure retirement," he
\nexplains.<\/p>\n
Careful financial planning is the key to a happy and rewarding
\nlife, he says.<\/p>",
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