BPJS PBI Disrupted: Millions Lose Healthcare Access in Indonesia

Millions of Indonesians Lose Health Insurance Access Amid Data Update

JAKARTA – A recent overhaul of Indonesia’s national health insurance program, Jaminan Kesehatan Nasional (JKN), has left approximately 11 million recipients without coverage, sparking concern among patients and prompting a response from the government. The sudden deactivation of their Badan Penyelenggara Jaminan Sosial Kesehatan (BPJS) insurance, effective February 1, 2026, has left some unable to access vital medical treatment.

The changes stem from a policy enacted by Social Affairs Minister Saifullah Yusuf on January 19, 2026, through Ministerial Regulation Number 3/HUK/2026. This regulation mandated the removal of 11 million recipients of the PBI JK – the government-subsidized health insurance contribution aid – following an update to the Single Data for National Economic Status (DTSEN).

According to the updated data, these 11 million individuals are now considered to have moved into higher economic deciles, making them ineligible for the PBI JK program, which is reserved for those in the lowest income brackets (deciles one to five). The regulation was officially implemented on January 22, 2026, after being signed by the Director General of Legal Regulation at the Ministry of Law and Human Rights, Dhahana Putra.

The abrupt nature of the changes, and a perceived lack of adequate public communication, has created significant hardship for those affected. On February 5, 2026, Tony Richard Samosir, Chairman of the Indonesian Kidney Dialysis Patient Community (KPCDI), reported that at least 160 kidney failure patients were denied treatment because their PBI JK status had been unexpectedly deactivated.

The impact extends beyond dialysis patients. A three-year-old child in Pancoran Mas, West Java, was unable to continue speech therapy, while a 34-year-old woman in Bekasi, suffering from kidney failure, was unable to receive scheduled dialysis, experiencing breathing difficulties as a result. A 90-year-old resident of Depok postponed a crucial check-up for a lung condition due to the insurance issue, and a 74-year-old man in Yogyakarta faced difficulties accessing cardiac care.

The situation prompted a swift response from the government. Both Minister Yusuf and Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin have since affirmed that hospitals should not refuse treatment to any patient, regardless of their insurance status. Minister Yusuf explained that the restructuring was necessary due to widespread inaccuracies in the distribution of social assistance and subsidies, citing data from the National Economic Council which indicated that 45 percent of beneficiaries under the Family Hope Program and subsidized staple food assistance were incorrectly targeted.

He further stated that 54 million people in the lowest income brackets were not receiving assistance, while 15 million people in higher income brackets were still registered as beneficiaries. “those who are relatively more capable are protected, while the most vulnerable are left waiting,” he said during a meeting with House of Representatives (DPR) leaders on February 9, 2026.

The BPJS Kesehatan Director, Ali Ghufron Mukti, emphasized that the total number of health insurance recipients remains at 96.8 million, with those deemed ineligible being replaced by other qualifying individuals. However, the immediate consequences of the data update have highlighted systemic issues in the data verification process at the Ministry of Social Affairs, raising concerns about potential fatal consequences for patients reliant on continuous care.

The government and the DPR have agreed to cover the BPJS Kesehatan PBI services for three months following the controversy, as a temporary measure to address the immediate crisis and allow for a more thorough review of the data and implementation process.