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8.5 million employees registered as BPJS members as of January: Ministry
The Health Ministryâs Social Security Management Agency (BPJS) Directorate says 8
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he Health Ministry's Social Security Management Agency (BPJS) Directorate says 8.5 million employees have registered as members of the National Health Insurance (JKN) program, managed by the BPJS, which came into effect on Jan.1.
'Since the start of the program on Jan. 1, 8.5 million employees, including Jamsostek holders and their families, have signed up to the JKN program,' Fajriadi Nur, the ministry's BPJS director, said during a press conference at the Health Ministry in Jakarta on Monday.
He added that he hoped more employers would participate in the JKN program.
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono officially launched the JKN and the BPJS for the health sector at the Presidential Palace in Bogor on Dec. 31 last year.
According to official data, as many as 116,346,662 people are expected to enroll in the JKN program, including members of Jamsostek.
'There is a road map for JKN membership for 2014-2019. According to the road map, state-owned enterprises must be enrolled in the JKN program as of Jan. 1, 2015, at the latest, followed by medium and large enterprises in 2016,' Fajriadi said.
Starting on Jan. 1 this year, in its first stage, the JKN program was to be delivered to 121 million people or 48 percent of the Indonesian population.
One month after the official launch, however, the government has faced a number of challenges in encouraging people to take advantage of the program.
The Health Ministry's secretary-general, Supriyantoro, said many Jamsostek holders and those of Asabri, health insurance covering Indonesian Military (TNI) and National Police personnel, as well as civil servants with their Askes coverage, were confused as to whether they had to register again if they wanted to join the BPJS.
Moreover, several Jamsostek holders complained that they could not access healthcare services as of Dec. 31, 2013, as they had not yet received their BPJS membership cards.
'More needs to to be done, not only to introduce the BPJS program to those who are enrolled in other health insurance programs but also to coordinate services with relevant stakeholders,' Supriyantoro said.
