Why BPJS Does Not Cover Natural Disaster Victims: Here Is the Explanation
Natural disasters can occur at any time and impact various aspects of community life, including healthcare needs. However, many still wonder whether medical costs resulting from disasters can be covered by BPJS Kesehatan through the National Health Insurance (JKN) Programme.
The Head of Public Relations for BPJS Kesehatan, Rizzky Anugerah, explained that healthcare services for disaster victims have a specific mechanism that differs from the regular healthcare services provided to JKN participants. According to him, in disaster situations, the government has established a system and mechanism for health handling implemented in accordance with disaster management regulations.
“When a disaster occurs, the government has a mechanism for handling the health of affected communities, implemented according as disaster management provisions,” said Rizzky.
He explained that healthcare services provided due to disasters during the emergency response period are not included in the benefits guaranteed by the JKN Programme. This is because the financing of disaster victim handling is part of the implementation of disaster management, which is the responsibility of the government.
In practice, local governments also play a vital role in ensuring the healthcare needs of disaster-affected communities are met. The financing for handling disaster victims can be sourced from regional budgets (APBD) or support from the central government, in accordance with applicable disaster management regulations. Therefore, affected communities still receive access to healthcare services even if the financing does not go through the JKN Programme.
For example, in the case of the earthquake in NTT in August 2026, although the Government stipulated that health facilities could use the BPJS Kesehatan mechanism for medical services, including surgical procedures, the resulting costs were subsequently paid through the Ready-to-Use Fund (DSP) from the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), rather than using the Health Social Security Fund (DJS) which is sourced from participant contributions.
Similarly, in the case of the floods and landslides in Aceh Tamiang in December 2025, all medical claim costs for hydrometeorological disaster victims were charged to the Ready-to-Use Fund (DSP) available at the BNPB and managed by the Ministry of Health.
In the case of the floods that hit DKI Jakarta Province in January 2026, Governor Pramono Anung declared a disaster status and guaranteed public healthcare services through the regional budget.
Nevertheless, these conditions do not mean that JKN participants lose their right to receive healthcare. Participants experiencing illnesses or requiring treatment not directly related to the disaster can still access healthcare services through BPJS Kesehatan in accordance with applicable regulations.
For instance, participants undergoing treatment for chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, kidney failure requiring dialysis, or cancer, can still receive services guaranteed by BPJS Kesehatan. As long as these health conditions are not caused by the disaster event, the financing continues to follow the benefits of the JKN Programme as usual.
“Participants affected by disasters still receive health handling according to the conditions they face. It is only that the financing mechanism for healthcare services due to disasters follows disaster management provisions,” said Rizzky.
He emphasised that the public does not need to worry about losing access to healthcare services during a disaster. The government, along with various related parties, continues to strive to ensure that the community’s healthcare needs can be met, either through disaster management schemes or through existing health programmes.
Disaster management itself refers to Law Number 24 of 2007 concerning Disaster Management, which regulates the responsibilities of the central and local governments, including the provision of financial support for affected communities.
Therefore, healthcare services during disasters involve coordination between various parties, ranging from the central government, local governments, and health facilities to other relevant agencies. Handling is adjusted to the level of emergency and the needs of the community in the affected areas.
On the other hand, JKN participants in disaster conditions can still utilise various BPJS Kesehatan administrative services digitally. Rizzky urged the public to use available service channels to ensure easy access to information and membership services without having to visit BPJS Kesehatan offices in person.
Some services that can be utilised include the Mobile JKN application, Care Center 165, and services via WhatsApp or PANDAWA at 08118165165. Through these various channels, participants can obtain information and manage membership administration more easily.
“In conditions where it is not possible for the public to travel extensively, digital services can serve as an alternative to maintain access to JKN administrative services,” Rizzky concluded.