How does the healthcare system work in Indonesia, and which travel insurance, health insurance or expat insurance do you need?

How does the health care system work in Indonesia?

• Indonesia, like many countries, has a two-part health care system with public and private options.
• As an expat or emigrant, you can use both systems, fee-based.
• Indonesia's healthcare system is developing solidly, with more and more hospitals, clinics and medical facilities being added.
• The quality of care still varies widely, though, with modern hospitals in large cities such as Jakarta, Bandung and on Bali, and more limited facilities in rural areas.
• Access to medicine may be different from what you are used to. Some medicines that you get in your home country only by prescription can be obtained here and vice versa.
• In an emergency, you can call 118, but the ambulances through this public healthcare system are not of the quality you would like, and in remote areas are even completely absent. If you live in Indonesia, it is helpful to have the contact information of the nearest private clinic so they can send an ambulance.

How does the public healthcare system work in Indonesia?

• Indonesia has had a national health insurance program called Badan Penyelenggara Jaminan Sosial (BPJS) since 1968. This system is designed to provide health care for all and is supported by a national insurance program called Jaminan Kesehatan Nasional (JKN).
• As an expat or emigrant, you can usually take advantage of the public healthcare system, provided you can prove that you have lived in the country for at least a number of months (often at least 6).
• Although the quality of care is slowly increasing, Indonesia is known for the low quality of public health care. For example, there are too few well-trained doctors and infant mortality is also still high. Many good doctors from the public system exchange their jobs for jobs in private healthcare in, for example, Singapore, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur.
• For locals, public care is cheap. But at the same time, care is often overburdened and of lower quality than in the private sector. It is mainly suitable for basic needs.
• Also, people in public care usually do not speak English.

How does the private healthcare system work in Indonesia?

• Expats and emigrants generally choose private care because of more modern facilities, better hygiene and English-speaking doctors. International hospitals such as Siloam and BIMC (Bali International Medical Center) are popular.
• Costs are higher than public care, but relatively affordable compared to Western standards.
• Yet private care also has limitations.
• For advanced treatments, people often rely more on hospitals in Singapore, Thailand or Malaysia. It is nice and advisable to have coverage in your (international) health insurance for medical evacuation and repatriation, among other things.

How is the general practitioner arranged in Indonesia?

• Indonesia does not have an extensive general practitioner system. Patients usually visit a specialist or clinic directly.
• Private clinics (such as SOS International) are available in major cities and expat areas, providing basic care and referrals.

How is the dentist arranged in Indonesia?

• Indonesia has a large number of private dental clinics, especially in cities such as Jakarta, Surabaya and in Bali.
• Standards are high in modern clinics, and English-speaking dentists are available.
• The cost of dental care is significantly lower than in Europe or North America, making Indonesia a destination for dental tourism.
• Public dental care is also available through BPJS, but the quality is limited.

How is the pregnancy care arranged in Indonesia?

• If you are about to have a baby in Indonesia, it is important to know that the facilities of public health institutions are generally not of sufficient quality and infant mortality is very high compared to other countries in Southeast Asia.
• In public institutions there is a lot of prenatal care, but almost no postnatal care.
• Expats and emigrants usually use private hospitals or international clinics for prenatal care and postnatal care. Private hospitals offer, at a higher cost, modern facilities for deliveries.
• In addition, many foreign families choose the services of a private midwife, as this help usually does not come from clinics.
• In Indonesia, cesarean section is preferred to natural birth because it is seen as less risky. So be sure to discuss well with your doctor what you want.
• The quality of childbirth monitoring often leaves much to be desired. Culturally, people are reluctant to use physical touch.
• Breastfeeding is strongly encouraged and supported by campaigns, but the choice of bottle feeding is also respected.
• Indonesia still has challenges with maternal and infant mortality in rural areas, although the situation in urban hospitals is much better.
• Indonesia began the village midwife program (bidan di desa) in 1989 in cooperation with international organizations: women gave birth at home with the help of minimally trained traditional midwives (dukun bayi). The number of local midwives increased dramatically and is now very important for local, remote communities.

How safe or unsafe is a trip or stay in Indonesia?

What should you pay attention to in terms of safety in Indonesia?

• Living and living in Indonesia is pretty safe, but again, not without risks: think earthquakes, floods, petty crime and in very rare cases terrorism.
• Indonesia is a large country and safety varies greatly by area. In Papua and West Papua, for example, it is more dangerous for visitors than other parts of the country because of political instability. In addition, terrorist attacks occur and areas where tourists frequent are often targeted.
• There is a lot of petty crime. For example, motorcycle robberies are common. So pay close attention to personal belongings, make sure your bag hangs securely around your shoulders and avoid walking down the street with your phone in your hand.
• Credit card and ATM fraud are also common. So be sure to keep a close eye on your bank accounts and use cash to pay as much as possible.
• Political protests are usually peaceful, but avoid large crowds.
• Respect the local culture, especially in conservative areas. Avoid public drunkenness and be careful when expressing your political opinions.
• The country is beautiful but at the same time prone to earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and floods. So it is useful to be informed about disaster plans in your area.

What should you look out for in terms of diseases in Indonesia?

• There are quite a few tropical diseases, many of which are transmitted by mosquitoes. Protect yourself well, especially in rural areas and during the rainy season.
• Tap water is not safe to drink. It is also recommended not to cook with it.
• There is a lot of air pollution in major cities. This can lead to worsening existing respiratory problems.
• Indonesia is generally very hot and tropical. Many new residents suffer from sunburn, sunstroke and dehydration.
• Pay attention to food hygiene, Bali Belly is a well-known phenomenon.

What should you pay attention to when it comes to traffic in Indonesia?

• Roads in Indonesia range from reasonable in cities to poorly maintained in rural areas. Traffic jams are a major problem in large cities such as Jakarta.
• Scooters are the most popular means of transportation, but traffic is chaotic and dangerous for inexperienced drivers.
• There are also many accidents on the road. Hiring a local driver is the safest option for getting around.
• Urban areas have improved transportation options such as MRT and bus networks. Cab apps are also increasingly available and popular.
• Traffic rules are often ignored, and traffic accidents are common. Driving after sunset is not recommended, especially in rural areas.

Which work and travel insurance policies are suitable for short and long stays in Indonesia?

• Is the trip to Indonesia and your return sufficiently covered? Are you sufficiently covered before, during and after your activities? Which insurance best suits your trip and your activity? Read more about insurances for abroad on JoHoinsurances.org.

What emigration and expat insurance can you take out for Indonesia if you are going to live there for a while?

• It is mandatory to be properly insured if you want a long-term visa for Indonesia. Read more about insurances for abroad on Expatinsurances.org.