REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, MAKASSAR -- Health Minister Nila F Moeloek will put forth a suggestion to evaluate a health insurance program run by the Social Security Organizing Agency (BPJS).

"It has been one year since its launch, so I suggest it should be evaluated, (to find out) its advantages and shortcomings. We will make a calculation, and BPJS as well as the council (will make calculation), too," the minister said here after opening a national working meeting on health for Indonesia's eastern region on Monday evening.

The evaluation will include aspects such as costs and health services under the BPJS program.

According to her, the working meeting was to discuss the coordination and synergy between the central and regional administrations in implementing health programs in line with the vision and mission of the Jokowi-JK administration.

Heads of health offices and hospital directors from 10 provinces: North Sulawesi, Gorontalo, Central Sulawesi, West Sulawesi, Southeast Sulawesi, Maluku, North Maluku, Papua, West Papua, and South Sulawesi, attended the meeting.

Millions of people currently benefit from the national Universal Health Insurance scheme (JKN), which the BPJS manages.

Under the scheme, beneficiaries are required to pay monthly premiums; those living in poor households have their premiums subsidized by the government.

BPJS holders who want to enjoy class I services at hospitals must pay Rp 59,500 ($4.60) as monthly premium. Those who want class II services pay Rp 42,500 per month, while those who can only afford class III services pay Rp 25,500 per month.

BPJS clients from poor households who qualify for government assistance receive a subsidy of only Rp 19,225 toward their monthly premiums.

By 2019, the BPJS health insurance program is expected to cover Indonesia's entire population, which is estimated to reach 300 million from 250 million at present.

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