Semarang BPJS Health admits PBI-JK deactivations over welfare reclassification caused chaos

A mass removal of subsidized health-insurance beneficiaries early this year caused what a BPJS Health official in Semarang described as “chaos,” particularly in Semarang and neighboring Demak.

Debbie Nianta Musigiasari, head of the Semarang BPJS Health branch, said the deactivations followed monthly decisions issued by Indonesia’s Ministry of Social Affairs for each city and district. In January, the number of removals was unusually high. The changes took effect in February.

“I remember that at the beginning of the year there were quite a lot of deactivations in January, taking effect in February. Nationwide, the figure was 11 or 12 million, I forget. In our area alone, Semarang and Demak, it was nearly 130,000. So it caused some chaos,” Debbie said in an interview on Sept. 3, 2026.

She said the ministry had issued such decisions periodically before 2026. This time, however, the cuts targeted people outside welfare deciles 1 through 5. Debbie said the process appeared not to consider beneficiaries’ medical histories, affecting people broadly.

Residents whose coverage was deactivated can now seek reactivation. BPJS Health is providing information and working with local governments to contact affected participants, especially those who still need subsidized coverage or require treatment for chronic illnesses.

As of August 2026, Semarang had 420,995 PBI-JK participants, including 371,669 active and 49,326 inactive members. Demak had 636,385 participants, of whom 545,892 were active and 90,493 inactive.

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I remember that at the beginning of the year there were quite a lot of deactivations in January, taking effect in February. Nationwide, the figure was 11 or 12 million, I forget. In our area alone, Semarang and Demak, it was nearly 130,000. So it caused some chaos.