Indonesia has a two-tier, single payer system: the public scheme is known as the Jaminan Kesehatan Nasional (JKN) and the country also has a number of private health providers. We will look at your options for healthcare registration below.
The BPJS (Badan Penyelenggara Jaminan Sosial / Social Insurance Administration Organization) administers the Indonesian national health insurance scheme, the Jaminan Kesehatan Nasional (JKN).
The JKN is open to expats if they have been resident in the country for more than six months and have an ITAS (temporary stay permit) or ITAP (permanent stay permit). The scheme is mandatory. Companies with more than ten employees must register you, or face a fine. Note, however, that you will only be eligible for the JKN under particular kinds of permit: retirees, for instance, will not be entitled to join this scheme on a pension visa. However, if you are in the country as a retiree, you would be advised to take out private cover rather than relying on the public healthcare system.
Most expats choose to take out private health cover, due to inefficiencies in public healthcare. However, if you have domestic staff or dependents, you will need to register them to avoid penalties.
How to register for healthcare in Indonesia
As a resident of more than six months, you will need to be registered with the part of the scheme called the BPJS Kesehatan, which covers healthcare for residents but which will not cover work-related accidents. Your employer will do this for you.
Your contributions will be 5% of your monthly salary, with a salary cap of Rp 12 million. In the private sector, the employer will need to contribute 4% and the employee will have to pay 1%. For public sector employees, the split is 3% and 2%, which covers the employee, their spouse, and up to four dependent children.
If you are self employed, and / or have domestic staff or dependents such as family members, you will need to register yourself and your staff. You can do so either in person or online. Google “kantor BPJS” and the name of your city in order to find your local office: they will be able to advise you. You can also register online here.
You will need to supply the following:
- completed registration form
- copy of KTP (kartu tanda penduduk, the Indonesian National ID card)
- copy of Kartu Keluarga (KK – family card)
- two photos: 3 x 4 cm, for each member of the family
- you may also need your NPWP (Nomor Pokok Wajib Pajak – a tax identification number
- email address
- phone number
- bank account number for the account from which you plan to pay the premium
You may still have to go to the local BPJS office to pick up your physical card, but BPJS has also released an Android app, which can be used as your healthcare card. You may need to register everyone at the same time.
You will need to check that your local clinic is signed up to the national scheme, and note, too, that there are different classes of comfort (single vs. shared room, for example) according to different premiums.
If you choose to take out private health insurance, you should make sure either that your employer has arranged comprehensive private coverage as part of your employment package, or you take out private cover yourself. You will find plenty of choice and some excellent provision in Indonesia’s private sector, both in medicine and in dentistry. Ask your colleagues if any local clinic or hospital is particularly recommended, and sign up with a GP and a dentist.
If you apply for a Limited Stay Visa (KITAS) you will need to present private health cover in any case as part of your application.
Many expats travel to Singapore for their healthcare needs, so you should check that any private insurance you take out covers treatment in Singapore or neighbouring regions.
