Consider This Before Choosing Health Insurance

Health insurance is important to have. With this insurance, costs that must be incurred when sick or undergoing treatment, can be reduced, because most expenses have been covered by health insurance. Various kinds of health insurance can be an option. Private health insurance that can be tailored to your abilities and needs has been found. However, now health insurance from the government in the form of the National Health Insurance (JKN) also has several advantages that should be considered.

Get to know Health Insurance from the Government

Various kinds of health insurance can be an option. Since 2014, the government has provided health insurance services for the people of Indonesia through the National Health Insurance (JKN). The purpose of JKN is to provide public health services at affordable costs. For poor or poor citizens, the government covers JKN costs. So that the group is not burdened with tuition fees, but still benefits. Participants who already have JKN health insurance, can enjoy health services such as examinations, medication, medical consultations, drug services, blood transfusion, non-specialist medical procedures both operative and non-operative, hospitalization, to the services of forensic doctors. The health services provided by JKN can only be obtained at health facilities (puskesmas, clinics, individual doctors or hospitals) in collaboration with the Social Security Organizing Agency (BPJS), as the organizing body of the JKN program. So, patients must ensure that the health facilities visited include health facilities that work together with agencies that implement the JKN program so that the health services they obtain can be guaranteed by JKN. Another thing that is equally important is related to the tiered referral system that has been regulated by JKN. Before being treated at a hospital, for example, patients must first get a referral from the health center, clinic, or individual doctor to get further treatment to the nearest hospital. Without a referral, patients are not permitted to seek treatment directly to a hospital or specialist clinic, except in emergency situations. In addition, the lack of health insurance run by the government is that there are some health services that do not get guarantees, such as:

• Services that do not follow the JKN procedure
• Services to overcome infertility or obtain offspring such as impotence.
• General check-up
• Alternative medicine such as acupuncture
• Aesthetic or cosmetic health services
• Service of leveling teeth or orthodontics
• Health services for health problems due to drug or alcohol dependence
• Health problems due to intentionally hurting yourself
• Health services conducted abroad.

Pay close attention to Private Insurance

Even though they have been registered as JKN health insurance participants, some people still have private health insurance. Noteworthy is that private insurance premiums or premiums are generally higher than health insurance from the government. Also, make sure the private health insurance is chosen according to income and lifestyle, so that you have no difficulty in paying contributions. The advantage of private insurance is that it generally has a variety of health facility benefits. If the JKN health insurance there is a tiered referral system rules, then the private health insurance is generally free to choose the hospital or doctor for the health services needed. Of course, the health facilities and services obtained remain based on agreed premiums and paid. Because the amount of private insurance in Indonesia is fairly diverse, you should be more observant in choosing existing private health insurance. In addition to making sure funds are available, it is better to compare several health insurance policies before deciding. Information can be obtained through customer service related insurance, and also media forums or blogs in online media related to the experiences of others who have used the health insurance.

How to choose insurance as needed

So that the desired health services can be in accordance with needs, there are things that must be considered in choosing health insurance. The first thing is to ensure that the benefits obtained from the selected health insurance are in accordance with the premium or contribution paid each month. Re-examine what health services can be obtained from the insurance, then ask in detail with the health insurance party so that information is clear. After this is done, it is also important to know the doctor or hospital that is collaborating with the selected health insurance. You have the right to request a list of doctors and hospitals, so that you can easily get health services when they need them. That's not enough, knowing the policies and credibility of the chosen health insurance is also important, so that what is contained in the agreement including the problem of health claims can be fulfilled properly in accordance with the existing agreement. You and your family need health insurance because the benefits are important and very helpful. By having health insurance, you can minimize expenses that must be spent when you or a family member falls ill. In choosing health insurance, make sure that the insurance is able to meet your needs, because every health insurance, whether from the government or the private sector, has advantages and disadvantages.