Solo, Central Java. Indonesia’s national health insurance scheme, BPJS Kesehatan, is not limited to citizens but also covers foreign workers. As of now, 124,739 expatriates employed in the formal sector are registered as active participants, according to BPJS President Director Ali Ghufron Mukti.

The foreign enrollees are spread across various regions, with around 15,000 in Bali alone. “Not only in Bali, but also in Jakarta, Yogyakarta, Morowali, Batam, and other areas,” Ali told reporters in Solo, Central Java.

The majority of participants are from China, though there are also registrants from the United Kingdom, Russia, and many other countries. Most are employed in the mining and hospitality industries.

Ali explained that foreigners are eligible for BPJS Health coverage if they work in Indonesia’s formal sector for at least six months. Enrollment is handled by the employer or institution, not by individuals.

Premiums amount to five percent of a worker’s monthly salary, with four percent paid by the employer and one percent deducted directly from wages.

Ali said contributions from foreign participants exceed the medical costs they incur. In Bali, for example, monthly BPJS spending on 15,000 foreign workers is less than Rp 1 billion ($61,000), while contributions collected are significantly higher.

The inclusion of foreign workers in BPJS Health is mandated under Article 14 of Law No. 24/2011 on the Social Security Administration Agency, which requires all formal-sector employees to register and pay premiums.

What Is BPJS Kesehatan?
BPJS Kesehatan (Badan Penyelenggara Jaminan Sosial Kesehatan) is Indonesia’s universal health insurance program, launched in 2014 to provide affordable healthcare for all residents.

Coverage: Hospital care, outpatient treatment, surgeries, maternity care, and medicines.

Funding: Financed through premiums paid by employees, employers, and government subsidies for low-income groups.

Scale: The program now covers more than 250 million people, making it one of the world’s largest public health insurance schemes.

Participation: Mandatory for all formal-sector workers, including expatriates employed in Indonesia for at least six months.

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