Apindo: Not Only The Company, The Community Will Also Find It Difficult To Pay BPJS Health Contributions

General Chairman of the Indonesian Employers Association (Apindo) Hariyadi Sukamdani. (Photo by: Ministry of Manpower)

JAKARTA - The government has officially again increased the BPJS Health contribution, after it had previously been canceled. Chairman of the Indonesian Employers' Association (Apindo) Hariyadi Sukamdani said, with the increase in BPJS dues in the midst of the corona virus pandemic or COVID-19, it was not only difficult for companies, but also for the community.

This increase in contributions is contained in Presidential Decree Number 64 of 2020 concerning the Second Amendment to Presidential Regulation Number 82 of 2018 concerning Health Insurance. The amount of contribution payment for non-wage worker (PBPU) and non-worker (BP) independent participants is regulated in Article 34.

"So, if it is raised what we are worried about is everyone, not just the company. For the general public who are not wage earners, they will also experience problems in being able to pay dues. They may not be able to pay dues," he said, in an online discussion with the theme 'COVID. -19 and Economic Stimulus', Wednesday, May 13.

According to Hariyadi, if a participant who is not a wage recipient has difficulty paying contributions, it is not impossible that the participant will not be able to get access to health benefits.

"So, this is also quite serious, yes. In the end, if economic activity does not work, then everything will end up stuck. How can we loosen up, how can we walk," he said.

Previously, Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartato said that the BPJS tariff increase in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic was carried out to keep services running.

"For the government-subsidized dues, subsidies are still given. Well, others, of course, are expected to be contributions that can carry out the continuity of BPJS health operations," Airlangga said in a press conference broadcast on the Cabinet Secretariat YouTube account, Wednesday, May 13.

As is well known, the increase in BPJS Health premiums for class I and II is regulated in Presidential Regulation (Perpres) Number 64 of 2020 concerning the Second Amendment to Presidential Decree Number 82 of 2018 concerning Health Insurance.

Article 34 Paragraph 1 of the Presidential Decree states that in 2020, the class III participants' tuition will increase to Rp42 thousand. However, the government provides a subsidy of Rp. 16,500, so the community only needs Rp. 25,500.

Meanwhile in 2021, the fees paid by Class III participants will be IDR 35 thousand because the government reduces the subsidy by IDR 7 thousand.

Meanwhile, Article 34 Paragraph 2 states that the premium for Class II independent participants increases to IDR 100,000 from the current IDR 50,000. Then, Paragraph 3 regulates the premium for Class I independent participants to increase to IDR 150 thousand, from the current IDR 80 thousand. This stipulation comes into force on 1 July 2020.