Do I have to have travel/health insurance?

[make_batik_great_again]

Last month was the first time I have ever been asked for my health insurance card. This was my fifth renewal. I wouldn’t live in indo without insurance.

I also have insurance. But only for the first two months. And after those two months, I would like to search for an insurance company from Indonesia since it seeems to be cheaper than international insurance contracts.

But I am now worried that they might ask for proof of insurance when I apply for KITAS and I have insurance only for 2 months at that point of time.

 

[pantaiema]

I wonder will this one meet the Indonesian Requirement for COVID-19 coverage travelling from overseas to Indonesia ?

Annual Travel Insurance | Multi Trip Insurance | Admiral

Multiple holidays planned this year? Our annual travel insurance covers travel for trips up to 31 days. Get a quote for multi trip travel insurance today!

www.admiral.com

What we cover

Emergency medical and repatriation costs if you become ill with COVID-19 while abroad and must self-isolate
Trip cancellation if you (or another travel companion named on your policy) are diagnosed with COVID-19 within 14 days of your trip departure
Cutting short your trip because you’re denied boarding on your pre-booked outbound travel due to symptoms of COVID-19
Trip cancellation because of the hospitalisation or death of a close relative due to Covid-19 within the 14 days prior to your trip departure
You can't continue with a pre-booked excursion because you've been ordered to self isolate by a government authority because you contracted Covid-19 while on your trip
Cutting short your trip due to your death or the death of a close relative from Covid-19

What we don’t cover
If you had reason to believe your trip may be cancelled, postponed or cut short when you booked it, purchased your policy or started your trip (e.g. you had reason to believe you may have Covid-19, you were experiencing symptoms, awaiting test results or you knew of the need to take a test or to self-isolate)
Cancelling, cutting short your trip or being unable to continue with a trip or pre-booked excursion because you’re required to self-isolate due to the potential exposure to Covid-19 (for example being contacted by NHS track and trace) except for reasons specified
If you travel against Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) advice. You will need to check the travel advice for all countries you visit or will transit through
Cancelling or cutting short your trip due to the FCDO changing its advice regarding your destination or countries you will transit through due to COVID-19
Costs incurred as a result of a local outbreak of COVID-19 that meant you couldn’t stay in your pre-booked accommodation or vessel
Due to travel restrictions or quarantine imposed by any government or public authority, including local lockdowns, being denied entry and compulsory entry requirements

 

[snpark]

Yes if above $100,000

 

[Jaime C]

I’m not an Indonesian citizen, but do hold a lifetime Kitap. I have BPJS.

I’m flying to CGK near the end of the month.

 

[R Cameron]

I’m not an Indonesian citizen, but do hold a lifetime Kitap. I have BPJS.

I’m flying to CGK near the end of the month.

You don't need anything extra. Safe travels.

 

[Nicho]

Lived here nearly 7 years and never been asked for Health Insurance card when renewing Kitas or Converting to Kitap . Been to local health clinic several times , never been asked for proof of health insurance , they were happy with Kitap Card , SKTTS and Domicle letters from the Kepala Desa . Health Insurance is as useless as a knob of goat shit . They still want there cash up front then you've got to hassle with the company your insured with to get any money back which is like trying to get blood out of a stone

 

[Ruserious]

They still want there cash up front then you've got to hassle with the company your insured with to get any money back which is like trying to get blood out of a stone

Sorry to hear you had issues with bad insurance. Personally i have always found it very good. I also know of at least 2 friends who passed away in Indonesia without getting medical care as they didnt have insurance and waited too long to get checked out because of concern over cost.

I hope you dont get to a situation where you need it.

 

[pantaiema]

Lived here nearly 7 years and never been asked for Health Insurance card when renewing Kitas or Converting to Kitap . Been to local health clinic several times , never been asked for proof of health insurance , they were happy with Kitap Card , SKTTS and Domicle letters from the Kepala Desa . Health Insurance is as useless as a knob of goat shit . They still want there cash up front then you've got to hassle with the company your insured with to get any money back which is like trying to get blood out of a stone

Unless it is guaranteed by the government scheme, I will not touch any insurance managed by Indonesian Insurances Company with a barge pole. Just learn the high profile cases such as ASABRI, JIWARAYA, JAMSOSTEK (long time ago). These supposed to be under the government control. But the problem here, it is already like pandemic, they treated the money collected in advance from members like their own money. Also, the watchdog, the regulator are not doing their job properly. Some of them are even taking advantage of the system by taking their shares.

In the wrong hand, weak regulators/watchdogs, corrupt attitudes; the insurance work like one of the oldest well-known scam on earth called "advance fee scam/fraud". Once they have your money from premium you have paid, they could use any excuse to deny any claim you make in the future, especially if it is major claim.

 

[snpark]

1. Pick the right company. One that does direct billing.
2. Pick the right agent. One that still answers her phone AFTER she has collected her commission

 

[snpark]

1. Pick the right company. One that does direct billing.
2. Pick the right agent. One that still answers her phone AFTER she has collected her commission.

 

[Wisnu]

We have very positive experience with Cigna.
Daughter had knee surgery in Ohio, US, I had endoscopy and laparoscopy operation for my gall blader stone in Cairo; then treatment of my finger's frosbite in Istanbul, my wife underwent retinal detachment surgery in JEC jakarta and medical check in London, all fully covered by Cigna; no issue at all. If no insurance; I would have spent more than USD 20,000.

 

[Helpful Herbert]

Sorry for the off topic comment, but why would you need an endoscopy for a gallbladder removal? Or was it just while they were trying to figure out what the problem was?

 

[snpark]

Perhaps they were looking for a missing colon. Or comma.

 

[Wisnu]

Sorry for the off topic comment, but why would you need an endoscopy for a gallbladder removal? Or was it just while they were trying to figure out what the problem was?

I might not very good to explain. They told me the gallstones blocked and damaged the common bile duct. The first step was endoscopy to insert a stent.
Second step 2 weeks later, Laparoscopic cholecystectomy to remove the gallbladder.
The stent is still in the common bile duct until now.

 

[Helpful Herbert]

I've had that operation (back on topic: paid cash not insurance). I think you might need the stent removed at some point. Definitely a great operation to have if you've experienced GB pain!

 

[pantaiema]

Yes if above $100,000

I believe this one will be enough because Emergency medical and repatriation is up to £10,000,000, isn't it ?

But from here is saying "incorporated as a legal entity in Indonesia"
Does it need to be Insuracne registered indonesia ??

Entry requirements - Indonesia travel advice

FCDO travel advice for Indonesia. Includes safety and security, insurance, entry requirements and legal differences.

www.gov.uk

"show proof of full health insurance from an insurance company which is incorporated as a legal entity in Indonesia. Coverage should include COVID-19 treatment."

But in contradict with Official Circulating letter from Indonesian Government

https://covid19.go.id/artikel/2022/05/18/surat-edaran-kasatgas-nomor-19-tahun-2022

P7, letter f

"For foreign travellers, attach proof of ownership of health insurance" which includes financing for the handling of COVID-19 and medical evacuation to a referral hospital with a minimum amount of coverage according to determined by the organizer, manager, or local government local;
Not specifically mention, it has got to be Indonesian Health Insurance

What is insured?
Emergency medical and repatriation: up to £10,000,000 for
emergency medical including, up to £400 for emergency dental
pain relief, up to £1,000 for associated travel & accommodation
costs. We will also pay up to £5,000 for funeral expenses or
repatriation of remains while abroad.

Cover for specific Covid-19 related events: up to the amounts
shown in your policy schedule under Section 1 and Section 2
for; emergency medical treatment and repatriation if you contract
Covid-19 abroad; for cancelling your trip if you are diagnosed
with Covid-19 within the 14 days prior to your trip departure or the
hospitalisation or death of a close relative within the 14 days prior
to your trip departure, as a result of Covid-19 (Cover is subject
to your policy being active at the time of the event and a positive
medically approved test).

Section 1 Emergency medical and repatriation:

Medical costs abroad
Reasonable and necessary costs for emergency medical, surgical and hospital treatment
including an ambulance to take you to hospital. This does not include procedures that can
be carried out in your home country after repatriation, or for any medical expenses incurred
in private facilities if medically suitable state facilities are available, as this is not a private
medical insurance policy.

Travel and accommodation expenses for UK trips and abroad
Further travel and accommodation expenses when approved in advance by our emergency
assistance service:

• to get you to or from hospital as an inpatient or for outpatient treatment or appointments
• to return you to your home area on the advice of our medical adviser
• to get you home following emergency medical treatment if you cannot use your return ticket
• to cover additional costs for accommodation of a similar standard to the one booked for your trip if it is medically necessary for you to remain on your trip after the date you were due to return home
• to cover the cost of reasonable extended parking charges and kennel or cattery fees if you have to remain on your trip as a result of your illness or injury
• to cover the cost of telephone calls made to or received from our emergency assistance service for one person from your home area to stay with you if medically necessary, including economy class travel costs and expenses for their meals and travel.

Section 2 is just about What is not covered

 

[centurion]

I believe this one will be enough because Emergency medical and repatriation is up to £10,000,000, isn't it ?

But from here is saying "incorporated as a legal entity in Indonesia"
Does it need to be Insuracne registered indonesia ??

Entry requirements - Indonesia travel advice

FCDO travel advice for Indonesia. Includes safety and security, insurance, entry requirements and legal differences.

www.gov.uk

"show proof of full health insurance from an insurance company which is incorporated as a legal entity in Indonesia. Coverage should include COVID-19 treatment."

But in contradict with Official Circulating letter from Indonesian Government

https://covid19.go.id/artikel/2022/05/18/surat-edaran-kasatgas-nomor-19-tahun-2022

P7, letter f

"For foreign travellers, attach proof of ownership of health insurance" which includes financing for the handling of COVID-19 and medical evacuation to a referral hospital with a minimum amount of coverage according to determined by the organizer, manager, or local government local;
Not specifically mention, it has got to be Indonesian Health Insurance

The information is false (misinformation). Indonesian incorporated insurances do not issue policies to non-residents.

 

[Wisnu]

I might not very good to explain. They told me the gallstones blocked and damaged the common bile duct. The first step was endoscopy to insert a stent.
Second step 2 weeks later, Laparoscopic cholecystectomy to remove the gallbladder.
The stent is still in the common bile duct until now.

At home Indonesia now, just had medical examination MRI MRCP, I'm schock with the result showing my gallbladder is still in place with few gallstones inside and 2 stuck in bile ducts, these cause severe abdominal pain.
So, I have to undergo ERCP again tomorrow and then laparoscopy again. OMG.
Estimate cost for ERCP is Rp. 160M (VIP)

 

[Jaime C]

At home Indonesia now, just had medical examination MRI MRCP, I'm schock with the result showing my gallbladder is still in place with few gallstones inside and 2 stuck in bile ducts, these cause severe abdominal pain.
So, I have to undergo ERCP again tomorrow and then laparoscopy again. OMG.
Estimate cost for ERCP is Rp. 160M (VIP)

So the previous laparoscopic surgery was a scam?

 

[pantaiema]

So, I have to undergo ERCP again tomorrow and then laparoscopy again. OMG.
Estimate cost for ERCP is Rp. 160M (VIP)

In Western countries, particularly in Europe, the expenses for such treatments are covered by the government, funded by taxpayers. This means that everyone, including those who have never contributed to the system, such as bogus asylum seekers, is not required to make payments.

However Rp. 160 million in Jakarta where the minimum wage is 4.9 million IDR per month, some individuals would have to be reborn two to three times to accumulate that amount. It might be wise to consider exploring cost comparisons with other local hospitals or even hospitals abroad.

If you possess private insurance, especially if it is entirely managed by Indonesian healthcare insurance providers, it remains to be seen whether situations like this will be covered without encountering significant hurdles, a great fight. A small percentage of Rp160m could be easily used to sway the judges decision; even the judges in the supreme courts. It's reassuring to know that Indonesia is progressing in the right direction with the establishment of BPJS.