Proposed BPJS Health Insurance Contribution Increase Could Raise Inactive Participant Numbers
Jakarta (ANTARA) – The Chairman of the Indonesian Health Volunteers (Rekan) organisation, Agung Nugroho, has stated that the proposed adjustment to BPJS Kesehatan (Indonesia’s national health insurance) contributions could lead to an increase in inactive participants.
“If contributions increase, many families will adjust their spending. The risk is that arrears will increase and participation will become inactive. Ultimately, they could lose their health insurance at a time when they need it most,” he said in a written statement in Jakarta on Wednesday.
According to him, the proposal should be comprehensively reviewed because the policy has the potential to weaken the reach of the national health insurance system.
“When costs increase, participation may decrease, especially among groups with limited income. Independent participants are very sensitive to increases in regular contributions,” said Agung.
According to him, the poor are relatively protected by the Penerima Bantuan Iuran (PBI) scheme, while high-income groups are more likely to be able to absorb the increased costs. However, the middle class, especially informal sector workers and families with tight fixed expenses, are in a vulnerable position.
“The risk composition becomes unbalanced. The burden of claims increases, and fiscal pressure increases. This could become a recurring cycle,” he said.
Rekan Indonesia encourages the government to take alternative measures, including improving the efficiency of governance, strengthening the database of subsidy recipients, and implementing a more progressive financing scheme based on affordability.
“Health insurance policies should expand social protection. Increasing contributions without comprehensive improvements could potentially narrow coverage,” said Agung.
The plan to adjust BPJS Kesehatan contributions is still under discussion by the government. The issue has become a public concern because it is directly related to access to health services for millions of participants throughout Indonesia.