BPJS Kesehatan Covers Covid-19 Treatment Costs Even During the Endemic Phase; How Many JKN Participants Are There?

The Indonesian Healthcare and Social Security Agency (BPJS Kesehatan) will continue to cover the cost of Covid-19 treatment, even though President Joko Widodo has officially declared that Indonesia has entered the endemic phase.

However, this coverage is specifically for individuals already registered as participants in the National Health Insurance (JKN) program under BPJS Kesehatan.

"All BPJS participants who contract Covid-19 will have their treatment costs covered. This applies to all participants," said BPJS Kesehatan President Director Ali Ghufron Mukti, as quoted by Antara news agency on Thursday (22/6/2023).

Ali explained that when a patient is admitted and treated in a hospital, BPJS will cover the costs according to the medical diagnosis.

According to Ali, in the medical management of Covid-19, other accompanying illnesses or comorbidities are often found, which burden the patient. Therefore, medical history and tariffs can vary between patients.

"There is a set tariff for Covid-19. But if the prominent issue is, for example, shortness of breath due to chronic lung disease, that has a diagnosis, and the cost will be covered by BPJS," said Ali.

According to BPJS Kesehatan data, the number of JKN participants reached 255.89 million people as of May 31, 2023.

Of this number, the majority are recipients of contributions assistance from the State Budget (PBI APBN), with a proportion of 44.98%.

Then, 16.69% of JKN participants are recipients of contribution assistance from the Regional Budget (PBI APBD), and 16.88% are from the group of Wage Receiving Employees excluding state officials (PPU BU).

There are also 12.13% of JKN participants from the group of Self-Employed Wage Receiving Employees (PPU Pekerja Mandiri), and 7.54% from the group of Wage Receiving State Officials (PPU PN).

Meanwhile, the proportion of JKN participants who are not employees is the smallest, at only 1.79%.