TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Head of the Health Care and Social Security Agency (BPJS Kesehatan) M. Iqbal Anas Ma’ruf announced that the medical bills of confirmed coronavirus patients are covered by the Indonesian Health Ministry and regional administrations, not the BPJS.
This followed the Health Minister’s decree No.HK.01.07/ MENKES/104/2020 on the naming of coronavirus as an epidemic starting on March 4.
“Any form of financing in mitigating [the disease] will be funded by the Health Ministry, regional administrations, and/or other official forms of funding that adheres to the Law,” said Iqbal in his written statement on Tuesday, March 3.
The Health Minister has named the COVID-19 coronavirus as an epidemy or an extraordinary occurrence (KLB). However, he maintained that cases of suspected coronavirus patients are guaranteed by the BPJS Kesehatan according to existing provisions.
He further explained that the state-healthcare service provider has coordinated with health agencies and facilities that partners with the BPJS Kesehatan, regarding the newly released Health Ministry’s decree.
