Regulation Amendment Needed to Ensure Transparency

At least 60 percent of the capitation fund is allocated for healthcare services. The Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) highlighted the absence of direct control by BPJS Kesehatan on the use of capitation funds at Puskesmas.

KOMPAS/SAMUEL OKTORA

Patients wait their turn for medical checkups at Griya Antapani Community Health Center in Bandung city, West Java, on Thursday. As of 11:56 a.m. several patients, who are members of the National Healthcare Program, had yet to be called. Patients have to wait hours before getting the services at the clinic or hospital.

JAKARTA, KOMPAS – The transparent management of capitation funds is necessary. Apart from the huge amounts of idle capitation fund in community health centers (Puskesmas), which reached Rp 3.02 trillion (US$220.46 million) at the end of 2016, the fund is also prone to corruption by bureaucrats mandated to manage and monitor the use of the fund.

Capitation funds are a down payment paid monthly by the Healthcare and Social Security Agency (BPJS Kesehatan) to first-level healthcare facilities, including Puskesmas. The amount is based on the number of BPJS Kesehatan participants registered at the Puskesmas and in consideration of the type and amount of healthcare services provided by the Puskesmas. The capitation fund is used to pay for healthcare services and healthcare operational support. At least 60 percent of the capitation fund is allocated for healthcare services.