Sri Mulyani says BPJS Kesehatan to cover COVID-19 treatment cost

Last updated on May 13th, 2021 at 05:47 am

There will be a new policy that being drafted in Presidential Regulation (Perpres) related to the national health insurance program or BPJS Kesehatan. The Indonesian government also drafting policy specifically support efforts in dealing with the coronavirus infection or COVID-19. This was said by Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati.

“We will immediately draw up a presidential regulation to provide certainty to health facilities such as hospitals, and so BPJS will be able to support COVID-19 measures,” said Sri Mulyani in a video conference on Wednesday, March 18.

According to her, the new Perpres was needed given the Supreme Court’s ruling that revoked the old Perpres about the program. The applicable premium fees also reverted to to the previous regulation, namely Perpres No. 82/2018.

Furhermore, she explained, with the new policy later, medical costs for patients affected by COVID-19 in hospitals could be covered by BPJS Kesehatan. Even though the Ministry of Health had set a budget post, the financing would depend on the number of cases and the case handling.

“In this case, BPJS is asked to take part in covering the cost, so that its accountability can be accounted for later”, she noted.

Regarding this premium hike of BPJS Kesehatan, previously the Supreme Court has annulled the Presidential Regulation No. 75/2019. The Supreme court’s decision as it favored and granted some of the judicial reviews proposed by the Indonesian Dialysis Community (KPCDI).