Francisca Christy Rosana, Jakarta – The National Social Security Board (DJSN) suggested the increase of the premium for the Health Care and Social Security Agency (BPJS Kesehatan) at around 60 percent.

The recommendation has been submitted to the government after Vice President Jusuf Kalla agreed on the plan in July.

The deputy head of DJSN Policy Commission, Ahmad Anshori, estimated that the premium hike up to 60 percent could overcome the deficit of BPJS within two years ahead.

"BPJS will even earn surplus up to Rp4.8 trillion in 2020-2021," said Ahmad in a short message to Tempo, Wednesday, August 7.

Previously, the national health security agency was predicted to suffer a deficit up to Rp28 trillion this year's end. Therefore, several parties suggested raising the premium as an effort to minimize the deficit.

According to Ahmad, the premium for BPJS Kesehatan Class I will be Rp120,000 from initially Rp80,000; Class II at Rp80,000 from Rp51,000; and Class III at Rp42,000 from Rp25,500.

He explained the recommendation was made based on three factors, which are to adjust the economic value of the national health assurance service, to increase or recompose the service tariff, and to preserve the national health assurance program.

Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/1233045/bpjs-kesehatan-to-record-surplus-as-premium-increased-to-60pct