Government to Write Off BPJS Health Arrears, Awaiting Prabowo's Approval

The government is preparing to write off premium arrears for participants of the National Health Insurance (JKN) programme managed by BPJS Kesehatan, though the move still requires President Prabowo Subianto’s approval. BPJS Kesehatan CEO Prihati Pujowaskito stated that the total arrears involve 23 million participants and amount to Rp14 trillion. “It has not been signed yet, let us wait together. Hopefully it will be signed soon,” he said on Friday (12/6/2026). Prihati explained that the write-off, or ‘whitewashing’, targets participants with long-standing arrears. Once cleared, he hopes they will resume disciplined payments. “But those who are able to pay must continue as active participants and not repeat the arrears,” he stressed. Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa confirmed that Rp20 trillion has been allocated in the 2026 state budget (APBN) to fund the write-off for those unable to pay. “For 2026 it is ready, the Rp20 trillion is there, we have budgeted for it,” Purbaya said. He added that the incentive funds for clearing Class 3 BPJS arrears have already been transferred to BPJS, pending only the detailed presidential regulation. “It has been approved, just perhaps the details of the presidential regulation remain,” he noted during a meeting in the Darmawangsa area, Jakarta, on Thursday (12/2/2026). Purbaya confirmed the funds have been sent so BPJS can execute the programme at any time. “But I have already sent the money to BPJS, so they can execute it whenever. I have disbursed, if I am not mistaken, Rp20 trillion,” he said.