An expat guide to healthcare and health insurance in Indonesia
Are you researching an expat health insurance for Indonesia? First, it is important to find out about the local healthcare system.
Despite a recent reform offering access to healthcare to the entire population, the Indonesian health system struggles with inefficiency and other issues. It is recommended to opt for the private sector, and sometimes even to go abroad for treatment.
Whether you are moving to Indonesia or are already living there as an expat, it is important to have international health insurance in Indonesia that covers your health costs locally and in other countries. Read our guide to the Indonesian healthcare system and your different options of medical insurance for Indonesia.
Health statistics
- Total Population (2017): 264 million
- Gross national income per capita (PPP international $, 2017): 11,900
- Life expectancy at birth m/f (years, 2016): 67/71
- Probability of dying between 15 and 60 years m/f (per 1 000 population, 2016): 205/146
- Total expenditure on health per capita (Intl $, 2014): 299
- Total expenditure on health as % of GDP (2014): 2.9
Healthcare in Indonesia for expats
The Indonesian government undertook a major reform in 2014, with the establishment of the National Social Security Law (Jaminan Kesehatan Nasional or JKN), which provides access to social security coverage for the entire population, including for healthcare, accidents at work, old age and death.
Regarding healthcare, the goal is to cover all Indonesians by 2019, offering access to basic healthcare in public facilities. This new health insurance system in Indonesia also applies to foreigners residing in the country for more than six months.
The limitations of the Indonesian health system
Despite the reform of social security and the ambition to provide medical coverage to the entire population, the Indonesian health system remains largely underfunded, which affects the quality of care provided.
The Indonesian healthcare system is classed as one of the poorest out of the Southeast Asian countries.
There are very few healthcare workers in Indonesia. In its 2016 report, the World Health Organization stated that Indonesia has 15.9 health professionals per 10,000 inhabitants in 2015. By comparison, France has 124.9 health professionals per 10,000 inhabitants. There is also a lack of medical facilities that is mostly felt outside the main tourist centres such as Bali or Jakarta. People living in rural areas have to travel to big cities for treatment. Those who can afford it turn to private medicine (whether in Indonesia or abroad), while the poorest have difficulty accessing primary care.
It is advised by some countries’ foreign ministries that evacuation to nearby Singapore should be considered in the case of a significant health problem, but you will need to ensure that you have evacuation/repatriation insurance.
International health insurance for expats in Indonesia
Due to weaknesses in the Indonesian health system, expats in Indonesia are advised to have private health insurance that allows them to be covered privately, or even abroad if necessary. International health insurance is preferable to local health insurance.
An international health insurance gives you the opportunity to seek treatment in the medical facility of your choice or with the doctor you choose, whether in Indonesia or abroad. Choosing an international insurance with a coverage area beyond Indonesia is the best option for people preferring to seek treatment abroad or in their country of origin in case of a specific medical problem.
Moreover, if after Indonesia you decide to live in another country your expat health insurance can follow you, unlike with an Indonesian health insurance, which is only valid locally.
It is important that your expat health insurance in Indonesia includes repatriation/medical evacuation insurance. This type of assistance covers medical transport costs in the event of an emergency in an area where there is no infrastructure to treat you.
Whatever your choice of expat medical coverage, please note that your international insurance does not exempt you from paying your contributions to the Indonesian health system, if this is mandatory for you.
What is the best health insurance for expats in Indonesia?
The best health insurance in Indonesia depends on your specific needs rather than a general criteria, so the best insurance for one expat might not be the best for you.
In order to find which one is the best health insurance in Indonesia for you, it is important to consider several aspects such as your medical history, your age, your specific needs in terms of medical cover, your situation in Indonesia, alongside other criteria.
How much does healthcare cost in Indonesia?
Consultation with a private doctor: Rates may range from 345,000 to 825,000 Rp (Indonesian Rupiah), equal to around $24-$56 in US dollars (or £18-£44). This depends on the duration of the consultation, the establishment and whether it is a general practitioner or specialist.
Home visits vary from 2 million to 3.6 million Rp ($137-$247 or £107-£193).
Consultation with a private dentist: Rates are between 500,000 and 1.5 million Rp depending on the establishment ($34-$103 or £26-£80).
Rates in international establishments are between 1.7 and 2.8 million Rp ($116-$192 or £90-£150).
The laying of a porcelain crown costs 3.7 million Rp ($254 or £198) on average.
Hospital fees in a private room in a private hospital: Rates are between 750,000 and 1.3 million Rp ($51-$89 or £40-£70) depending on the establishment and whether the room is intensive care. Be aware, this does not include treatments, tests and nursing care. Hospital costs can be much higher depending on the medical condition being treated and the hospital chosen.
How much does health insurance cost in Indonesia?
Such as with any type of health insurance, the price of medical insurance for expats in Indonesia varies greatly depending on the age, medical history, family composition of the applicant and other factors.
Practical information
Vaccinations
It is recommended to have an up-to-date vaccination schedule, Vaccinations against Japanese encephalitis, hepatitis B, rabies and typhoid may be advised, depending on the conditions of your stay.
Malaria
Indonesia is a country at risk for malaria. Before departure, consult a doctor or your nearest travel vaccination health advice service centre.
Emergency numbers
Ambulance: 118 or 119
Global Doctor: (21) 723 11 21/24
Police: 110
Firefighters: 113
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