Social Affairs Minister Acknowledges Insufficient Socialisation of BPJS PBI JKN Deactivation

BEKASI, KOMPAS.com – The Minister of Social Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, Saifullah Yusuf, acknowledged that the deactivation of BPJS Kesehatan membership in the Penerima Bantuan Iuran Jaminan Kesehatan Nasional (PBI JKN) category still lacks sufficient socialisation.

The government has also pledged to improve the mechanism that has been in place.

“We will improve the mechanism. We appreciate that suggestion (regarding socialisation),” said Saifullah during a visit to a cataract surgery assistance programme at Bhakti Husada Hospital, North Cikarang, Bekasi Regency, on Wednesday (25/2/2026).

He explained that in the future, there will be a grace period before the membership status is deactivated. This will give participants time to reactivate their membership or submit objections.

“So, it may be determined this month, but will take effect two months later. If, after two months, there is no reactivation or no objection, then we will deactivate it in the following month,” said Saifullah.

“Sometimes, there are cases of malignant tumours where the costs are not sufficient. There is no budget for this, so we can work with other parties to help pay for it,” he said.

According to him, local governments will not allow their citizens who are sick to go without treatment simply because of budget limitations.

“What if the local government does not have the budget? It can be paid in the following year, after planning,” said Saifullah.

He added that the mechanism for local government budgeting must be planned a year in advance through the APBD (Regional Budget), so coordination and joint commitment are needed.

“If the hospital is also reluctant to act because there is no guarantee, then we will guarantee it. But I cannot pay for it this year, because the APBD must be planned a year in advance,” he said.

Saifullah also asked all hospitals that have worked with BPJS Kesehatan to continue serving PBI JKN patients even if their membership status is inactive.

He emphasised that no citizen should give up on seeking treatment simply because of administrative or cost issues.

Regarding funding, he said that this can be discussed and coordinated between the Ministry of Social Affairs, local governments, and the hospitals.