Mirella Pandjaitan
Aug 21, 2025
Indonesia’s National Health Insurance (Jaminan Kesehatan Nasional – JKN), administered by BPJS Kesehatan, is not exclusively reserved for Indonesian citizens. Foreigners who have legally resided in Indonesia for at least six consecutive months are also eligible to benefit from the same comprehensive healthcare coverage offered under the JKN scheme.
Per Law No. 24 of 2011, foreigners residing in Indonesia—often for work or investment—are entitled to enrol in the JKN (Jaminan Kesehatan Nasional) scheme, thereby receiving the same level of healthcare protection afforded to local citizens. Yet, as is the case for everyone under the BPJS system, coverage is conditional and follows a clearly defined structure—particularly when it comes to surgery.
BPJS Kesehatan does indeed open the door to essential healthcare; walking through it requires awareness, preparation, and adherence to the system’s rules. For those who do, the benefits can be life-changing. Countless foreigners, therefore, choose to enrol due to the relatively low premiums and the convenience of accessing specialist doctors within the country.
Path to covered surgical care
Surgical procedures under BPJS are not automatically covered. To qualify for coverage, patients must first consult a first-level healthcare facility—such as a puskesmas (community health clinic) or a certified private clinic. Only after receiving a diagnosis and a formal referral from this initial provider can the patient proceed to a designated hospital for surgery.
Ensure the coverage by submitting these three essential documents to the hospital, or else, BPJS will not process claims for surgical procedures:
- BPJS Kesehatan membership card or Kartu Indonesia Sehat (KIS)
- Referral letter from a primary-level healthcare facility
- Patient card issued by the receiving hospital
Surgeries not covered by BPJS Kesehatan
Certain categories of surgery are explicitly excluded from BPJS coverage despite the broad access. These typically fall outside the bounds of medical necessity or do not align with national healthcare priorities. Such exclusions are designed to ensure the sustainability and integrity of the national insurance program while focusing resources on essential medical care.
Procedures not covered include:
- Surgeries resulting from accidents or external trauma
- Cosmetic or aesthetic surgeries performed for non-medical reasons
- Operations related to self-inflicted harm or consequences of personal negligence
- Surgeries performed outside Indonesia, beyond BPJS jurisdiction
- Procedures conducted without proper referrals or outside the BPJS system
Surgeries that are covered
That said, a substantial number of life-saving and essential surgical procedures are fully covered under BPJS, as outlined in the Ministry of Health Regulation No. 28 of 2014. These include, but are not limited to:
- Cardiac surgery
- Cesarean section
- Cyst and fibroid (myoma) removal
- Tumour excisions
- Odontectomy (surgical tooth extraction)
- Oral and maxillofacial surgery
- Appendectomy (appendix removal)
- Gallbladder surgery
- Eye and cataract surgery
- Vascular surgery
- Tonsillectomy
- Hernia repair
- Cancer-related surgeries
- Lymph node dissection
- Orthopaedic implant removal
- Knee joint replacement
- Thymectomy (removal of the thymus gland)
Seamless digital enrollment
Enrollment is now more accessible than ever, with an entirely online registration process. Individuals may self-enrol through various digital platforms provided by BPJS Kesehatan.
Requirements for online BPJS Kesehatan registration
As detailed on the official BPJS Kesehatan website, individuals classified as non-wage workers (PBPU) or non-workers (BP) outside of state officials may register independently. The following documents are required for online registration:
- Valid passport
- Temporary Stay Permit Card (KITAS) or Permanent Stay Permit Card (KITAP)
- Certificate of domicile from the local sub-district office (kelurahan)
- Tax Identification Number (NPWP), if available
- Coloured passport photo, size 3x4 cm
- Proof of tax payment, if applicable
- Bank account passbook from institutions supporting auto-debit payments (Bank Rakyat Indonesia – BRI, Bank Negara Indonesia – BNI, Bank Mandiri, Bank Tabungan Negara – BTN, or Bank Central Asia – BCA). The account may belong to the head of the household, another family member listed on the KK, or a legal sponsor.
How to register for BPJS Kesehatan
Via WhatsApp (Pandawa Service)
BPJS Kesehatan offers administrative support through its official WhatsApp service, Pandawa. The steps to register are as follows:
1. Send a message to the official Pandawa number: 0811-8165-165.
2. Select the “Administration” menu.
3. Click on the online registration link provided (valid for 180 minutes).
4. You’ll be redirected to your browser.
5. Choose from “New Registration”, “Add Family Member”, or “Reactivate Membership”, depending on your needs.
6. Select the relevant category - in this case, “Foreigner” (WNA)
7. Prepare and upload an original KITAS/KITAP, bank book, KK, passport, and valid work/business permit.
8. Enter the sponsor's biodata and bank details.
9. Select your preferred first-level health facility (FKTP).
10. Choose your care class (Class 1, 2, or 3, but foreigners are normally recommended to choose Class 1).
11. Upload the required documents.
12. Review your entries and click “Next”.
13. Wait for data verification and validation during working hours (8 AM - 5 PM).
14. Upon successful registration, participants will receive a virtual account number for monthly premium payments.
15. The first payment must be made no sooner than 14 days and no later than 30 days after registration.
16. The physical card will be sent to the registered address within 14 working days.
Via Mobile JKN Application
Alternatively, registration can also be completed through the Mobile JKN app, available on Google Play Store or Apple App Store:
1. Download the Mobile JKN app.
2. Tap “Sign In / Register”, then select “Register”.
3. Input your National Identification Number (NIK), full name, and date of birth.
4. Enter the captcha code and validate your data.
5. Once greeted with “Welcome”, input your active mobile number, email address, and create a password.
6. A verification code (OTP) will be sent via SMS – ensure your phone has sufficient credit.
7. Tap “Register” to complete initial signup.
8. Log in using your registered credentials.
9. On the home screen, tap “Add Participant”.
10. Read and agree to the terms and conditions.
11. Enter your KK number and the captcha, then click “Process”.
12. Tap “Next”.
13. Press the plus icon (+) to add family members.
14. Complete the registration form with email, address, and healthcare facility preferences.
15. Tap “Save”.
16. Enter the verification code sent to your email.
17. Your virtual account number will be issued for monthly contributions.
Via Offline Registration
Foreigners may register offline by visiting the nearest BPJS Kesehatan office. This could be an alternative in case any of the online registration methods mentioned previously aren’t feasible. The process is as follows:
1. Prepare the required documents as mentioned above.
2. Visit the nearest BPJS Kesehatan office with all of the prepared documents.
3. Take a queue number for new participant registration services.
4. Inform a BPJS Kesehatan officer that you are a foreign national wishing to register.
5. The officer will provide a special registration form for foreign nationals. Fill it out completely and accurately with the required information, such as full name (as in your passport), passport number, KITAS/KITAP number, date of birth, residential address in Indonesia, phone number, email address, and occupation in Indonesia.
6. Choose a class of care
7. Choose your First-Level Healthcare Facility (FKTP), where you will receive basic healthcare services. This could be a community health centre (Puskesmas), clinic, or doctor's practice affiliated with BPJS Kesehatan.
8. Submit all the required documents to the BPJS Kesehatan officer.
9. Your data and documents will be reviewed and verified. This process may take several working days.
10. Once verification is complete, you will be issued a virtual account number for your initial contribution payment.
11. Make your first contribution payment using the provided virtual account number. Payments can be made through BPJS-partnered banks.
12. After the first payment, your BPJS Kesehatan membership will be activated.
13. Receive your Membership Card.