Askes asks govt for Rp 435b in subsidies

JAKARTA (JP): State-owned health insurance company PT Askes is asking the government to fork out some Rp 36 billion a month or Rp 435 billion a year in subsidies for the company's health services.

The amount is about equal to the amount received from the premiums paid by the 13.8 million civil servants and their families.

"What we get (from the premiums) isn't enough to cover health services for our members. (But) Increasing the premium will burden our members, so we are appealing to the government instead," PT Askes president Orie Andari Sutadji told reporters.

The company celebrated its 32nd anniversary on Monday.

Each civil servant is obligated to pay 2 percent of his or her basic wage for family coverage in the insurance plan.

Beside civil servants, there are also some 719,000 voluntary members.

Askes operational director I Gede Subawa said the government in the past had not subsidized insurance premiums. Subsidies were given to hospitals where health services were provided.

Therefore, Askes has been totally depended on the insurance premiums paid by its members to cover expenses, Gede said. "Even hospitals have complained that the subsidy from the government is too small," he added.

Askes' appeal in many respects was prompted by the introduction of Law No. 43/1999 which stipulates that the government will contribute to health insurance premiums and other subsidies for civil servants.

"The government regulation (to approve the subsidy) is still in process, but we're positive that the government will grant the funds," Gede said.

"People think that with that many members, we have got a lot of money. That's true, but it's not enough. Especially during a monetary crisis such as this," said Orie.

According to Orie, 87 percent of the funds received goes toward paying for health services.

She pointed out that medication for a person with a chronic disease for example, could cost a minimum of Rp 300,000 per month.

"Last year, we spent Rp 31 billion on 2,880 kidney failure patients who needed hemodialysis. This year, we predict it will increase to Rp 44 billion with the same number of patients, due to currency fluctuations," Orie said.

The insurance covers most medication costs with some requisites.

Prescribed drugs should be listed in a register of drugs drafted by a team of pharmaceutical companies and doctors from several hospitals in Jakarta.

There are about 860 items on the current list, complete with the prices of the drugs.

Askes also claims to cover almost all hospital expenses.

"Patients only pay a little amount called the 'hospital control fee' which differs from hospital to hospital," said Gede.

Despite the tight money situation, Orie maintains that the company is far from financially ruin.

"God willing, no. That's why we need the government's help," Orie said. "We also have to get more members".

Orie also refuted suggestions that the procedure of the insurance service is complicated and too bureaucratic.

"It's not complicated, really. It's just that with millions of members, we have to go through some procedures," she said. (09)