September 16, 2026 | 03:16 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Ministry of Health has returned a health insurance subsidy allocation of Rp10 trillion to the Ministry of Finance. The decision stems from legislative constraints that barred the health ministry from directly disbursing the funds to the Healthcare and Social Security Agency (BPJS Kesehatan).
Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin explained that the government had earmarked a total subsidy of Rp20 trillion for BPJS Kesehatan in the 2026 fiscal year. Under the original mechanism, disbursement was split into two equal tranches of Rp10 trillion, one routed directly through the Ministry of Finance and the other managed by the Ministry of Health.
However, existing regulations restrict the Health Ministry from injecting capital into BPJS Kesehatan unless two specific conditions are met: an expansion of subsidized beneficiaries (PBI) or an increase in premium tariffs. Because neither condition materialized this year, the ministry lacked the legal basis to release the funds.
"Because the government decided not to do so, the Ministry of Health was unable to disburse the Rp10 trillion subsidy to BPJS this year, and we finally return it to the Ministry of Finance," Budi said during a hearing with House of Representatives Commission IX at the Parliamentary Complex in Senayan, Jakarta, on Wednesday, September 16, 2026.
Budi noted that the process to reallocate the funds has been underway for over three months and currently awaits the issuance of a Finance Ministry Regulation. "Hopefully, it can be finalized this month so BPJS can settle its outstanding payments to hospitals without encountering further delays like what is happening now," he added.
The return of the Rp10 trillion allocation has become the main factor behind the cut in the Health Ministry’s 2027 budget. Parliament approved a 2027 budget ceiling of Rp115.9 trillion for the ministry, marking a decline from its 2026 allocation of Rp128.6 trillion. To prevent similar problems, Budi recommended that the Rp10 trillion subsidy scheme for BPJS Kesehatan be excluded entirely from the Health Ministry’s budget next year.
"Our position is that this Rp10 trillion should not be assigned to us next year. So, it will not be channeled to the Ministry of Health because based on our experience this year, we also couldn't disburse it," Budi concluded.
Read: Hesitant Crackdown on Illegal Cigarettes
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
BPJS: 87,000 People Claim Benefits Due to Layoffs as of May
37 hari lalu
BPJS Ketenagakerjaan reported that the payouts stemming from layoffs account for 5 percent of total Old-Age Security (JHT) claims.
How Rupiah Plunge Affects Indonesia's Pharmaceutical Industry
11 Juni 2026
Rupiah hits record lows at the beginning of June, reaching past Rp18,000. How does this affect domestic medicine prices in Indonesia?
Prabowo Appoints Prihati Pujowaskito as Head of BPJS Kesehatan
19 Februari 2026
President Prabowo also sets the structure of the BPJS Kesehatan Board of Supervisors for the 2026-2031 period.
Facts About Indonesia's BPJS Health Coverage Cuts Affecting 11 Million People
10 Februari 2026
Here is a summary of the latest developments surrounding the government-subsidized BPJS Health contributions, known as PBI BPJS.
Budi Gunadi: Gov't Yet to Discuss Hike in BPJS Health Insurance Premiums
13 November 2025
The government plans to inject Rp20 trillion into BPJS Kesehatan or national health insurance system, to maintain its financial sustainability.
Ombudsman Agrees to Write Off BPJS Healthcare Arrears
14 Oktober 2025
The Indonesian Ombudsman has urged the government to immediately eliminate BPJS Kesehatan (Healthcare) arrears.
Why BPJS Kesehatan is Planning to Raise Health Insurance Rates
15 September 2025
Indonesian Finance Minister reveals the reasons behind the planned increase in BPJS Kesehatan health Insurance rates. Here are the details.
New OJK Regulation Requires 10% Co-Payment for Health Insurance Claims
7 Juni 2025
OJK requires co-payment, BPJS coordination, and a Medical Advisory Board under new health insurance rules effective January 1, 2026.
Over 280,000 Indonesian Workers Projected to Face Layoffs in 2025
21 Mei 2025
BPJS predicts that the number of workers impacted by layoffs this year will reach 280 thousand.
1.7 Million Online Motorcycle Taxi Drivers Still Lack BPJS Employment Protection
8 Mei 2025
Out of around 2 million registered online motorcycle taxi (ojek online) drivers, only 250 thousand are enrolled as participants of BPJS Employment.
