Rupiah Weakness Does Not Directly Impact BPJS Kesehatan Claims

The Social Security Administering Body (BPJS) Kesehatan has ensured that the weakening of the rupiah exchange rate does not directly affect the magnitude of claims paid to healthcare facilities within the National Health Insurance (JKN) Programme. The Head of Public Relations for BPJS Kesehatan, Rizzky Anugerah, explained that claim payments still refer to the package rates established by the government through the Indonesian Case Base Groups (INA-CBGs) scheme.

He further explained that although the weakening rupiah has the potential to drive up the prices of imported medicines and medical devices, this condition does not automatically impact the value of claims paid by BPlagS Kesehatan.

“In the implementation of the JKN Programme, healthcare service financing uses the package tariff scheme (INA-CBGs) as well as quality and cost control mechanisms established with the government; therefore, the claim value is fixed based on the service package,” Rizzky told Media Indonesia on Wednesday.

According to him, BPJS Kesehatan continues to monitor various factors that may affect healthcare service costs, including the development of the rupiah exchange rate against the US dollar.

“BPJS Kesehatan continuously monitors various factors that have the potential to affect healthcare service costs, including the dynamics of the rupiah exchange rate. It is understood that the weakening of the rupiah has the potential to increase the prices of medicines and medical devices that still have a dependency on imports,” he said.

Rizzky explained that the strengthening of the US dollar can indeed place pressure on the operational costs of healthcare facilities, particularly regarding the procurement of medicines and medical equipment that still utilise imported components.

“The strengthening of the US dollar can certainly put pressure on the operational costs of healthcare facilities, especially regarding cost components that depend on imported goods. However, in the context of the JKN Programme, BPJS Kesehatan pays claims based on the tariffs established by the government,” he said.

He emphasised that the mechanism for adjusting JKN healthcare service tariffs is not performed automatically following currency fluctuations. The review of tariffs by BPJS Kesehatan is conducted by the government through periodic studies, considering various factors, including the national economic condition.

“Meanwhile, the adjustment of service tariffs or the amount of costs in JKN healthcare service packages is carried out periodically through a comprehensive study by the government, considering various aspects, including the macro-economic condition,” he explained.

Rizzky revealed that the government last conducted adjustments to healthcare service tariffs through Minister of Health Regulation Number 3 of 2023. At that time, several benefit package tariffs experienced a significant increase.