TII: Integrating DTSEN and PBI JK protects vulnerable patients during deactivation

The Indonesian Institute (TII) has stated that strengthening the verification and integration of the National Single Socio-Economic Data (DTSEN) with the management of Health Insurance Contribution Assistance (PBI JK) membership can enhance protection for vulnerable patients during deactivation. TII Social Researcher Made Natasya Restu Dewi Pratiwi said in Jakarta on Thursday that the goal of updating data to improve targeting accuracy is a step in the right direction. However, its implementation still faces a number of challenges. “A well-targeted policy is not only measured by who is successfully removed from the social insurance recipient list, but also by the system’s ability and readiness to ensure that no vulnerable group loses access to health services, especially to the point where their lives are threatened,” Natasya stated. She noted that these challenges include suboptimal cross-sector coordination, a lack of notification to participants, the absence of specific protections for chronic patients, and limited transition mechanisms for affected participants. Therefore, she recommended this integration, as linking social data with medical status can exclude chronic patients from PBI deactivation targets. “Essentially, the accuracy of socio-economic data must go hand in hand with a system readiness capable of protecting every life of a vulnerable patient,” Natasya said. Meanwhile, Secretary of the Directorate General of Advanced Health at the Ministry of Health, dr. Sunarto, conveyed that the Ministry of Health has issued a circular instructing health facilities not to refuse patients during the membership administration resolution process. “We continue to improve coordination across ministries and agencies, refine the reactivation mechanism, and ensure that affected patients still receive health services,” he added. The General Chair of the Indonesian Dialysis Patient Community, Tony Richard Samosir, emphasised that membership deactivation is not merely an administrative issue for chronic disease patients. “Data cleaning is permissible, but subsequent deactivations must not rob patients of their right to life. Information must be received by the public before deactivation is carried out, and the reactivation process must not burden patients,” Tony said. The discussion also highlighted the importance of strengthening cross-ministerial coordination, opening dialogue spaces with the community and patient groups to gather suggestions for improving BPJS Kesehatan, pushing for a BPJS Kesehatan audit, and enhancing data quality and notification systems so that future membership updates are more accountable and do not again sacrifice vulnerable groups.