Many Indonesians are not covered by health insurance

Many Indonesians are not covered by health insurance

By Rita Widiadana and Stevie Emilia

JAKARTA (JP): Money may not buy health, but it goes a long way
toward ensuring lifelong medical care.

Some people only pray that nothing too serious will affect
their health, at least until they reach 65, the average life
expectancy of Indonesians.

Leading a healthy life and adopting good habits does not
guarantee a life free of ailments or protection against health
problems.

There is an important point we sometimes miss entirely: the
chances of living a long, full life also depends on identifying
and treating an illness at the early stage, which, of course, can
require quite a lot of money.

One of the hardest fact to face is that you are suffering from
a serious illness. With the prices of medical services and drugs
skyrocketing, a person can be dumbfounded by the vast cost of
medical treatment. Even a relatively simple operation can cost
several million rupiah and push you to the brink of bankruptcy.

If your pocket is full or your employer provides health
insurance or a health allowance, your financial burden may be
lighter. But only a few people are lucky enough to have health
insurance.

The majority of Indonesians have inadequate access to basic
health services because they do not have the money to pay for
doctor's fees, hospitalization and prescription drugs.

Unless you are a civil servant, Armed Forces member or an
employee of a state-owned or multinational firm, your chances of
being reimbursed for your medical bills is slim.

Currently, only about 13 percent of the more than 200 million
population is registered at the health insurance schemes managed
by state-owned insurance company PT Askes, state-owned PT
Jamsostek and a small number of private health insurance
companies.

Orie Andari Sutadji, head of the Indonesian Insurance
Council's social and health division, suggests people consider
joining a health insurance scheme.

"Most people do not consider health insurance a priority. They
think it is not necessary to pay for something that is
uncertain," explains Orie.

"Health is one of the most important factors in human life
that should not be ignored."

At present, only a small number of people can afford health
insurance.

"Some private companies see the importance of supporting their
employees with various health schemes. That's a good start," Orie
says.

PT Mustika Ratu, a cosmetic and traditional herbal medicine
company, is just one example.

Herlin Herlinda, supervisor of the company's human resources
department, explains that the company regards its employees as
its main asset.

"We do care a lot about their health. If they are sick, we
cannot do much with our business activities. Therefore,
we try to provide an adequate health allowance to make them feel
secure," Herlinda says.

PT Mustika Ratu established a medical clinic that offers free
services to the company's employees. "But they can go to other
places and we reimburse them based on the company's health
scheme," Herlinda says.

She adds that the company has signed joint agreements with
several hospitals in Jakarta to treat employees who require
hospital treatment.

PT Mustika Ratu's health scheme was designed in accordance
with job levels. "We include staff members in the managerial
level in our health insurance scheme," Herlinda says.

Despite the economic crisis, she says, the company is eager to
improve its health scheme, including the inclusion of the entire
personnel in health insurance programs.

"The provision of a health allowance helps workers gain job
security. A high salary does not necessarily safeguard them,"
Herlinda says.

Other company, Bisnis Indonesia daily, also has a health
insurance scheme for its employees and their families.

Previously, the daily covered all medical expenses with its
own health program which covered hospitalization, prescribed
medicine and doctor fees, says Wininti Karyani, head of the
daily's human resources development department. The company's
program also included allowances for minor medical treatment in
its workers' monthly salaries.

Now the company has joined an insurance company and pays an
annual premium of Rp 180 million.

"Yet we often face difficulties in getting our claims paid.
The process is so complicated," complains Karyani.

Orie, who is also a director at PT Askes, acknowledges that
clients are often dissatisfied with the services provided by
insurance companies.

"Many promotion campaigns for health insurance schemes are
exaggerated. Yet insurance companies must provide their best
services and not cheat their clients," warns Orie.

The Indonesian Insurance Council, however, has no authority to
sanction errant insurance companies because companies are not
obliged to join the council.

"We haven't received any complaints. But we do appreciate it
when the public informs us immediately of any deviation
concerning an insurance claim," says Orie.

Joseph Kristanto Tan, president of PT Asuransi Cigna
Indonesia, earlier told The Jakarta Post that many people believe
it is difficult for a policyholder to process an insurance claim.

The perception does exist and there are many reasons behind
the problems, he says.

One common problem is inadequate or incomplete documentation.
People should understand that an insurance company needs complete
documentation before it is able to settle a claim.

"Policyholders must have an understanding of what their
insurance covers before they make a claim," he says.

S. Budisuharto, managing director of Lippo Life Insurance
company, also says that insurance companies must be active in
promoting their services and increase people's understanding of
health insurance.

"We invite people to make prudent financial plans that will
support their future and ensure a secure retirement," he
explains.

Careful financial planning is the key to a happy and rewarding
life, he says.