BPJS Kesehatan Semarang Admits PBI-JK Deactivation Due to Decile Changes Caused 'Chaos'

The Head of the Semarang Branch of BPJS Kesehatan, Debbie Nianta Musigiasari, has admitted that the deactivation of Penerima Bantuan Iuran Jaminan Kesehatan (PBI-JK) membership, caused by changes in decile classifications, caused chaos. This was particularly evident at the beginning of 2026.

Debbie revealed that the deactivation of PBI-JK membership is carried out through decree letters from the Ministry of Social Affairs (Kemensos), which are issued monthly for each regency and city. “It is true that at the beginning of the year, there were many deactivations in January, effective from February, because the number across Indonesia was around 11 or 12 million, I forget the exact figure. In our region alone, covering Semarang and Demak, there were almost 130,000 people. This caused some chaos,” she said during an interview on Thursday (3/9/2026).

According to Debbie, the issuance of Ministry of Social Affairs decrees regarding PBI-JK membership had actually been carried out periodically before 2026. “However, the numbers at the start of the year were very high because the cuts specifically targeted those outside deciles 1 to 5. It appears this did not take their health history into account, affecting everyone in that bracket,” she added.

However, citizens affected by the PBI-JK deactivation can now undergo reactivation. “We are helping to communicate this to the public, including providing information if the individual has become inactive. We are also working with local governments to convey information to participants whose data has been deactivated,” said Debbie.

She stated that this information dissemination is being conducted so that citizens impacted by the deactivation can immediately seek reactivation if their condition still requires PBI-JK, especially if they need access to services for chronic illnesses.

Debbie revealed that as of August 2026, the number of PBI-JK participants in Semarang City reached 420,995. This consists of 371,669 active participants and 49,326 inactive participants.

Meanwhile, the number of PBI-JK participants in Demak Regency reached 636,385, with 545,892 active participants and 90,493 inactive participants.