Hoax! Claims That Social Affairs Minister Said Unused BPJS for One Year Means Holder Is Wealthy
Jakarta (ANTARA/JACX) — A Facebook post claimed that Social Affairs Minister Saifullah Yusuf stated that BPJS Kesehatan (national health insurance) memberships not used for one year would be deemed as belonging to financially capable citizens and automatically deactivated by the government.
The post’s narrative read: “(SOCIAL AFFAIRS MINISTER) SAIFULLAH YUSUF: IF BPJS IS NOT USED FOR A YEAR, THE HOLDER IS DEEMED FINANCIALLY CAPABLE. The government deactivating unused BPJS is perfectly normal, so it’s not an issue.”
The post was accompanied by the commentary: “BPJS not being used means you’re healthy, sir… Thank God. Not that you’re wealthy.”
However, is it true that the Social Affairs Minister made such a statement?
Explanation:
Based on verification, no official statement was found from the Social Affairs Minister claiming that BPJS would be deactivated for non-use over one year or that such non-use would classify the holder as a financially capable citizen.
The photograph used in the post actually depicted Saifullah Yusuf receiving a number of regional heads to discuss plans for establishing People’s Schools (Sekolah Rakyat) at the Ministry of Social Affairs office in Central Jakarta, and was therefore unrelated to any BPJS issue.
Under existing regulations, BPJS Kesehatan membership can be deactivated for several administrative reasons, including contribution arrears for independent participants, data changes for Contribution Assistance Recipients (PBI), participants ceasing employment in the salaried worker segment, or the death of a participant.
Deactivation is not based on the length of time a BPJS card goes unused. If participants wish to deactivate their membership, they must go through BPJS Kesehatan’s official procedures.
Accordingly, the claim that BPJS would be deactivated for non-use over one year constitutes false information.
Claim: Social Affairs Minister said that BPJS unused for one year means the holder is deemed financially capable.
Rating: Disinformation/Hoax