All About Health Insurance For Expats In Indonesia

Indonesia, spanning Southeast Asia and Oceania, has over 100,000 expats. The country’s 17th-ranked GDP makes it popular among visitors.

However, the government’s healthcare issues make it hard for expats to settle. Most foreigners, if they can afford it, use private healthcare to fill public shortages. In Indonesia, expats have many healthcare and health insurance alternatives.

How Does the Healthcare System Work in Indonesia?

The Indonesian healthcare system is a mix of private and public, with most people preferring private facilities and insurance. In 2019, the national health insurance system was introduced after being proposed in 2014.

The Social Security Agency of Health manages Indonesia’s national healthcare system, the “Jaminan Kesehatan Nasional-JKN”. JKN covers many public facility treatments for all people.

Is Health Insurance Mandatory in Indonesia?

All residents must register with the national healthcare system in Indonesia— including expats working there. Despite this, most residents prefer to have additional private health insurance coverage and visit private facilities.

How Can Expats Obtain Health Insurance in Indonesia?

Expats living in Indonesia can obtain health insurance by registering with the public healthcare system and also get private insurance for additional coverage. The two offer different benefits.

Public Health Insurance in Indonesia for Expats

Public health care (Jaminan Kesehatan Nasional-JKN) used to offer class I, class II, and class III services depending on coverage region. New reforms removed the class system and introduced KRI-JKN in mid-2022.

Without doing anything, your employer will register you with the JKN after six months and provide other social advantages besides health insurance. As in most public healthcare systems, the price is deducted from your salary.

Only JKN-approved public health facilities can treat public health insurance holders.

How to Register for Public Insurance in Indonesia?

If you are a self-employed/freelancer, you must complete the registration with the JKN by yourself, either online or in person and pay the required monthly fee on your own.

• In-person application – To complete the registration in person, you must visit one of the JKN offices closest to you and bring your documents, such as your passport, residence permit, proof of address, etc.,
• Online application – You also have the option to complete the registration online via the JKN website or their phone application. For both types of applications, you will need a valid email address.

Private Health Insurance in Indonesia for Expats

Private health insurance is highly common in Indonesia, as most citizens relied only on private coverage until recently. As an expat, it is recommended that you obtain a supplementary private insurance scheme to supplement the public system and attend private hospitals. The primary advantage of this option is that it provides you with access to English-speaking doctors and clinics.

In terms of private insurance, you have two primary options depending on your needs:

• Purchase insurance from a local company – You can purchase an insurance plan after settling down in Indonesia from a local insurance provider. Since private insurance is widely spread, you won’t have issues finding a company in Indonesia.
• Purchase insurance from an international provider – You may also buy an insurance plan from an international provider before you leave for Indonesia. Because there are several providers worldwide, you can benefit from a comparative marketplace like Insubuy to help you narrow the list and pick a provider that suits your needs.

Best Health Insurance Companies

Some of the best health insurance companies for expats in Indonesia include the following:

International providers:

• AXA
• Allianz Care
• Cigna

Local providers:

• Prudential Indonesia
• Manulife Indonesia

What Does Expat Health Insurance Cover in Indonesia?

Public health insurance usually doesn’t cover any of the following:

• Orthodontics
• Infertility treatments
• Drug rehabilitation

On the other hand, with private insurance, you can tailor your policy as needed to obtain maximum coverage.

How Much Does Expat Health Insurance Cost?

Using public or private health insurance in Indonesia affects cost. Your employer will register you with the JKN, and the charge is deducted from your salary—around 5%—with your employer paying 4% and you paying the remainder. Self-employed or unregistered people can register and pay 25,500 to 59,500 IDR ($1.66-$3.95) per month.

Private insurance prices vary by several hundred dollars depending on age, medical problems, coverage level, duration, and extent. Remember that residents often seek treatment in Singapore and Thailand. Therefore, you must include medical evacuation and treatment coverage, which will affect your insurance premium.

Does Indonesia Have Good Healthcare?

Indonesia has implemented various healthcare reforms. Since 2014, new reforms have transformed the country’s health system, yet it may be improved.

Today, wealthy Indonesians flock to Singapore for medical attention. Most public facilities are understaffed, with long wait times and outdated facilities. This is difficult for foreigners because most public hospital employees cannot speak English.

Private VS Public Health Insurance in Indonesia

Here is a brief overview of the public and private health insurance systems in Indonesia:

Public health insurance

• You can only visit public facilities that are under the JKN system.
• The fee is taken out of your wages if you are employed.
• It has limited coverage.
• It does not cover care abroad.

Private health insurance

• You can visit any private facility in Indonesia.
• You have to pay your premium monthly.
• You can personalize your insurance plan with comprehensive coverage.
• You can purchase a policy with coverage abroad.