Analyst: BPJS Fee Increase Should Not Burden the Middle Class

The Coordinator of Advocacy at BPJS Watch, Timboel Siregar, stated that the increase in BPJS Kesehatan fees should not be implemented for independent participants in classes 1, 2, and 3, or the middle class.

“For independent participants in classes 1, 2, and 3, it’s best to wait until their economic conditions improve. However, it should start with the cancellation of outstanding fees, which was promised since October last year. In my opinion, if this cancellation doesn’t begin, they won’t be able to pay because they are burdened by the arrears,” said Timboel when contacted on Wednesday (February 25).

Therefore, it could start with the cancellation of outstanding fees. The fee increase can be implemented after assessing the economic conditions.

“So, by canceling the arrears, people can pay again normally. They won’t be held hostage by the outstanding fees. This will not burden the middle class,” he explained.

Despite this, he affirmed that the increase in BPJS fees is inevitable because the fees have not been evaluated for six years. Meanwhile, the increase in fees for recipients of the Jaminan Kesehatan Nasional (JKN) assistance program could reach Rp52,000, but they will still receive assistance from the government.

It is known that JKN is at risk of a deficit because since 2023, the claim ratio has been 106%. This will continue in 2024 at 106%, and in 2025, it will reach 113%, resulting in a large deficit that could reach Rp20 trillion in 2026. Meanwhile, net assets, which were Rp57 trillion in 2021, are continuously being eroded.

“The potential deficit is due to the fact that there have been no increases in the last five years. Meanwhile, the prices of INA-CBGs continue to rise,” he concluded. (E-4)

However, YLKI (Indonesian Consumer Foundation) reminds that the policy of increasing fees should not burden the public, especially in terms of the economic capacity of participants.

A member of Commission IX of the DPR RI (House of Representatives), Irma Suryani, responded to the issue of increasing JKN program fees.

The Head of Public Relations at BPJS Kesehatan, Rizzky Anugerah, responded to the statement by the Minister of Health regarding the increase in JKN participant fees.

The total amount of outstanding membership fees for BPJS Kesehatan throughout Babel (Bangka Belitung) reaches Rp191 billion.

BPJS Kesehatan should focus on helping the less fortunate. Meanwhile, wealthier people can obtain health services from private insurance.

The government’s plan to increase BPJS Kesehatan fees in 2026 has drawn attention from various parties.