Government Injects Rp 3.6 Trillion in BPJS Kesehatan Bailout Funds

The government has again disbursed a bailout fund of Rp 3.6 trillion to the National Health Insurance Agency (BPJS Kesehatan) to cover its projected deficit of Rp 10 trillion by the end of 2017. This is the fourth bailout since BPJS Kesehatan was established in 2014, and the funds are sourced from other budget allocations.

A mismatch between participant contributions and healthcare costs has resulted in annual deficits for BPJS Kesehatan. In 2015, the government disbursed Rp 5 trillion to cover the deficit, and Rp 6.8 trillion in 2016 in the form of equity injections.

In addition to covering the deficit, the government has also paid Rp 4.2 trillion in premiums for participants receiving Healthcare Contribution Assistance (PBI). The government is also attempting to allocate 10 percent of the health budget in Regional Budget (APBD) to cover the BPJS Kesehatan deficit.