Health Minister: BPJS Faces Potential Deficit of Rp30 Trillion, What Impact for Citizens?

Jakarta—Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin has stated that the Social Security Administration (BPJS Kesehatan) faces a potential deficit of between Rp20-30 trillion this year. The central government has allocated Rp20 trillion from its budget to cover this shortfall.

“BPJS is now in a position where it will face a deficit of Rp20-30 trillion. This will be covered this year from the central government budget of Rp20 trillion. However, this will occur every year,” the Health Minister stated in Jakarta on Wednesday (25 February 2026).

He explained that the recurring annual deficit poses risks of downstream consequences, particularly delays in claims payments to hospitals.

“This will manifest itself through delayed payments to hospitals. Hospitals will experience difficulties with their operations,” he said.

As a result, the Health Minister believes structural changes are needed in the management of the national health insurance financing system.

During the same discussion, the Health Minister emphasised that an increase in BPJS premiums would not impact low-income citizens, particularly those in the bottom five income deciles (desil 1-5). This is because their contributions are paid by the government.

“If the premium is raised for poor people in desil 1-5, it will have no impact. Because the poor are subsidised by the government,” he stated.

According to him, premium adjustments would be felt more by middle to upper-income groups who pay contributions independently.

“Those who will feel the impact are actually the middle to upper-income people,” he said.

He emphasised that BPJS operates under a social insurance principle with a cross-subsidy scheme. This means participants with higher economic capacity support the financing of less affluent participants.

“The concept of BPJS social insurance is that wealthy people subsidise the poor. It’s the same as taxes. Wealthy people pay more in taxes, but they have the same access,” he said.

The Health Minister also noted that current contributions are approximately Rp42,000 per month for certain segments. He believes this figure remains affordable for middle-income groups.

“This premium increase only affects middle to upper-income people. Those who currently pay Rp42,000 per month,” he said.