BPJS Kesehatan Confident to Pay Off Rp14tn Debt

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Health Care and Social Security Agency (BPJS Kesehatan) is optimistic that the contribution rate adjustment policies will help pay off debts owed to hospitals currently valued at Rp 14 trillion.

“Inshaallah (By God's Will), with the adjustments in contribution rates, as stipulated by the Presidential Regulation (Perpres), we can settle the outstanding payments smoothly,” said Public Relations Officer of BPJS Kesehatan, M. Iqbal Anas Ma'ruf, after a meeting with the House of Representatives Commission IX, on Monday, January 20, 2020.

Anas explained that the process of paying debts to the hospital will be done in stages and is believed to be paid off this year. “Of course it needs process, but we can be sure (the debt is paid off),” he said.

Without getting into exact details on how much revenue BPJS is set to gain from the increase in contribution rates, Anas said one of the main contributors of BPJS’ debt repayment scheme is the contribution rate from the government. In 2019, the government has already paid off three months worth of contribution rates for participants categorized to be in the Receiving Aid Contributions (PBI) group.

Along with the increase in contribution rates as decreed through Presidential Regulation No.75/ 2019, the revenue from the government will certainly increase. The margin in revenue increase will then be allocated to pay off the outstanding debts accrued in 2019.

“As it (the contribution rates payment scheme) all has been regulated by the Ministry of Finance (Menkeu), it actually is not difficult for that (debt payments), Inshaallah, all the debts carried over will be paid off,” stated Anas.

Furthermore, BPJS Kesehatan President Director, Fahmi Idris, has stated that he will coordinate with the government, in order to resolve the issue of outstanding payments for participants in class 3 groups of non-wage workers (PBPU), non-workers (BP), and outstanding payments to hospitals.

“From the results of the meeting earlier, we were asked to find a solution, surely BPJS has (our) own portion of duties, authority and responsibility as according to existing legislation, therefore (the solution) must be coordinated. We hope that the National Social Security Board (DJSN) will coordinate it in the coming two to three days,” said Fachmi.

Previously, according to BPJS records in October 2019, an outstanding debt worth Rp 21.16 trillion to hospitals and other health facility partners has been accrued. On top of that, BPJS Kesehatan has accumulated another Rp 1.71 trillion in debts not yet due, along with Rp 2.76 trillion in outstanding claims; thereby reaching a grand total of Rp 25.64 trillion in debts accrued, as of October last year.

According to Article 75 paragraph 5 of Presidential Regulation No.82/ 2018, under the condition that BPJS Kesehatan is unable to pay its debts when due, a fine of 1 percent per month will be imposed.

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