JKN Membership Proposed as a Prerequisite for New Students' Enrollment

Bandung (ANTARA) - BPJS Kesehatan is currently seeking to cooperate with the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology (Kemendiktisaintek) to make membership of the Jaminan Kesehatan Nasional (JKN) a condition for new students when applying to higher education institutions.

“We are currently writing to Kemendiktisaintek to facilitate a memorandum of understanding and to seek approval so that the BPJS Health participation of new university applicants must be active,” said BPJS Kesehatan President Director Prihati Pujowaskito at Padjadjaran University, Bandung, on Wednesday.

“It is more advantageous if students have health coverage during their studies, especially those who move around or come from out of town,” Pujo said.

Pujo said the cooperation is expected to increase the number of active JKN participants among students.

In response, the Rector of Padjadjaran University, Arief Sjamsulaksan Kartasasmita, said that a similar policy has been in place at Unpad for the past two years.

“So, all new students will be required by us; if their BPJS is not active, they cannot re-enrol as students,” Arief said.

He stressed that active BPJS Kesehatan participation is important because campuses often face cases of students who suddenly fall ill or suffer accidents but do not have health insurance.

“We often encounter students who suddenly fall ill or have accidents and do not have BPJS. That becomes difficult,” he said.

However, Arief acknowledged there are several challenges in its implementation, especially for students receiving the Beitrag iuran (PBI) subsidy previously borne by the regional government.

He said that when students move to another region for higher education, the government-funded coverage from their home region often does not automatically continue.

“Earlier, the BPJS President Director said he will speak with the Minister and regional governments so that all students remain protected,” he said.

Another challenge is maintaining students’ active membership after the re-enrolment process is completed.

“Sometimes students are active at re-enrolment, but afterwards they become inactive again due to monthly premium payments,” Arief added.