The government has set the price ceiling for individually requested COVID-19 swab tests at Rp 900,000 (US$60.6) to eliminate price disparities following concerns over the high costs of tests at private laboratories. 

Prior to the policy, the national COVID-19 task force said several hospitals had charged more than Rp 2.5 million for swab tests. 

The price ceiling will be formally announced through a Health Minister circular expected to be issued soon.

The price ceiling was determined after a discussion with the Development Finance Comptroller (BPKP) on analysis and surveys of healthcare facilities.

According to the Health Ministry’s acting health service director general, Abdul Kadir, the periodical evaluation would be based on the prices of the components of the test.

“We will take into consideration price changes for, among other things, services and human resources,” Abdul said.

He elaborated that the tests required the work of clinical microbiologists and pathologists, extraction officials and medical laboratory technology experts. The tests also require the use of single-use equipment, including level III personal protective equipment.

“In addition, we will also take into account the price of extraction and polymerase chain reaction [PCR] reagents,” said Abdul.

He expressed hope the ceiling price would not impact the speed with which the test results were delivered.

“We hope the tests will be carried out and the results delivered as fast as possible despite the ceiling price,” said Abdul.

To ensure the implementation of the price cap, the ministry has asked regional health agencies to monitor local health facilities in their respective areas. 

Iwan Taufiq Purwanto, one of the BPKP’s deputy heads for government agency supervision, said the comptroller would also supervise the implementation of the price ceiling. 

With COVID-19 rapid tests still being widely used in the country, including as a requirement for travel, the ministry has also set the price cap for the tests at Rp 150,000 in July. 

According to Worldometer.info, Indonesia has conducted more than 3.6 million COVID-19 swab tests as of Oct. 2. The country has recorded 295,449 confirmed COVID-19 cases, with 10,972 fatalities as of Friday.

Lawmaker from House Commission IX overseeing health care M Nabil Haroen said the Rp 900,000 price cap was reasonable.

“That’s pretty moderate,” he said during an online discussion held by MNC Trijaya radio network on Saturday. (iwa)