All you need to know about
health insurance in Indonesia

Mutual insurance in Indonesia: which health cover to choose?

Moving to Indonesia is an enriching experience for any expatriate, but it’s best to be well prepared. Before taking the plunge, it’s important to find out about the local healthcare system and choose the right mutual insurance to ensure reliable coverage in case of need. The right choice of health cover will enable you to enjoy your new life to the full, with peace of mind.

Indonesia’s public healthcare system

In 2014, Indonesia launched the Jaminan Kesehatan Nasional (JKN), a health insurance program aimed at providing free access to basic medical care for the entire population. On paper, the initiative is ambitious, but its implementation has proved more complex than expected, and its effectiveness remains limited to this day.

If you are an expatriate living in Indonesia for more than six months, you are required to register with the JKN through your employer. This membership entitles you to free access to certain affiliated hospitals and clinics. However, the quality of care varies from one establishment to another, and public infrastructures often fall short of international standards. In the event of a serious health problem, this can quickly become a challenge, which is why it’s so important to plan ahead.

The limits of the public health system

Despite the government’s best efforts, Indonesia’s public healthcare system still presents several major challenges.

• Limited infrastructure: Public hospitals are often overstretched, lacking both staff and medical equipment, which can lengthen treatment times.
• Regional disparities: If you’re in Jakarta or Bali, you’re more likely to have access to quality care. In rural areas, on the other hand, there are fewer hospitals and clinics, and access can be difficult.
• Language barrier: In many public facilities, English-speaking medical staff are hard to find, which can complicate communication, especially in an expatriate emergency.

Faced with these limitations, many foreign residents prefer to turn to a private health insurance plan for better access to care.

Why opt for private health insurance?

Faced with the limitations of the public healthcare system in Indonesia, many expatriates prefer to take out private health insurance to guarantee better access to care. This choice offers several advantages:

• Access to private hospitals: These establishments often have English-speaking staff and better infrastructures, guaranteeing faster, higher-quality care.
• International coverage: In the event of a serious medical problem requiring specialized care unavailable in Indonesia, international health insurance can cover medical evacuation to Singapore or Australia, where hospitals are better equipped.
• Greater flexibility: With the right health insurance, you’ll often benefit from extensive coverage, including teleconsultation with qualified doctors, accessible at any time and in the language of your choice.

Choosing the right health insurance means, above all, peace of mind and guaranteed access to the best care, wherever you are in Indonesia.

Choosing the right health insurance

Choosing health insurance in Indonesia is not something to be done lightly. It’s important to ensure that your coverage meets your real needs. A good mutual insurance plan is not limited to local care: it should also include, if necessary, medical evacuations or care in other countries in the event of more serious medical problems. It’s also essential to check that your contract gives you access to a network of quality clinics and hospitals, where standards of care and communication will be tailored to your expectations. Finally, certain options can really make a difference in your day-to-day life, such as teleconsultation, coverage for preventive care or care for pre-existing conditions. Taking the time to compare offers will help you avoid unpleasant surprises and ensure that your expatriation is a worry-free experience.

Expatriate health insurance for Indonesia

Moving to Indonesia as an expatriate is an exciting experience, but the local healthcare system can sometimes come as a surprise. To avoid the unexpected and make the most of your new life, it’s essential to choose the right health insurance. Good coverage will give you access to the best care and allow you to live serenely in your new country. Take the time to study the different options to find the one that really suits your needs and lifestyle.