We have not planned to adjust the tariff for the upper limit of RT-PCR or antigen tests so far
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Health has said it is not planning to revise the price of RT-PCR and antigen swab tests amid a relaxation in domestic travel requirements.



"We have not planned to adjust the tariff for the upper limit of RT-PCR or antigen tests so far," ministry spokesperson Dr. Siti Nadia Tarmizi informed in Jakarta on Thursday.



She said the RT-PCR tariff is still based on Circular Number HK.02.02/I/4198/2021 concerning the Implementation of Provisions on the Highest Tariff Limit for COVID-19 Examinations, which has set the price of the test at Rp275 thousand in Java and Bali and Rp300 thousand for areas outside Java and Bali.



Meanwhile, the antigen tariff is based on Circular Letter Number HK 02.02/I/3065/2021 concerning the Highest Tariff Limit for Rapid Test Diagnostic Antigen (RDT-Ag), which has set the price of the test at Rp99 thousand in Java and Bali and Rp109 thousand for areas outside Java and Bali.


Related news: Govt removes PCR, antigen test for fully-vaccinated domestic travelers



The government recently eased travel requirements for fully vaccinated domestic travelers. Those who have received two or three doses of COVID-19 are no longer required to show negative RT-PCR or antigen test results before traveling.



Responding to the regulation, Tarmizi said it has affected the number of people using antigen test kits.



"So far, only antigen users have decreased. We are still checking the data," she added.

Related news: PCR, antigen testing rollback to start from Bali: task force



Meanwhile, director of health services, Professor Abdul Kadir, said that the RT-PCR and antigen tariff would be revised based on the results of the government's evaluation of the consideration of service/human resource components, reagents and consumables (BHP) components, administrative costs, overhead and other cost components required, according to current conditions.



"Sources of data related to price reasonableness are obtained from the results of the Government's Development Finance Comptroller (BPKP) audit, e-catalog, and current market prices," he added.


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Translator: Andi Firdaus, Resinta S
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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