TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The National Social Security Board (DJSN) chairman Tubagus Achmad Choesni predicted the aftermath of the premium hike of the national health insurance (JKN) managed by the Health Care and Social Security Agency (BPJS Kesehatan).

During a meeting with the House of Representatives (DPR) Commission IX, Tubagus outlined three negative and positive impacts after the government imposed the 100-percent increase.

“The first negative impact is, would-be participants will be reluctant to register for the service,” he said at Parliament Complex, Senayan, Jakarta, Wednesday, November 6.

Tubagus added that participants would possibly lower their class category, and there would be an increase in the number of non-active members.

As of October 31, 2019, the total members amounted to 222.27 million people; 133.8 million of them are Premium Aid Beneficiary (PBI) subsidized by the government, and the rest are the independent ones.

Nevertheless, Tubagus went on, the premium hike would cause beneficial effects, such as service quality improvement and sustainability in the health insurance program.

In addition, the payment of the medical facility would be guaranteed because the agency would no longer be in arrears to hospitals.

The premium hike of BPJS Kesehatan would be valid per January 1, 2020, after President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo ratified the Presidential Regulation (Perpres) No. 75/2019 on the amendment of Perpres No. 82/2018 concerning health insurance on October 24.

FRANCISCA CHRISTY ROSANA