A solution that does not harm both sides should be sought immediately.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) chairman Bambang Soesatyo has urged the Health Ministry to pay attention to low capitation payments by state-owned Healthcare and Social Security Agency (BPJS Kesehatan) to dentists at First Level Health Facilities.



According to Soesatyo, dentists have complained about capitation, or health service payment made to dentists handling BPJS Kesehatan patients, which they consider to be low.



"Currently, dentists that receive BPJS patients are only provided with capitalization fund of Rp2 thousand per month per BPJS patient, with membership of ten thousand people," he noted in a statement issued on Friday.



"However, the fact is the number of memberships for dentists does not even reach five thousand members. As a result, a capitation tariff of Rp2 thousand hurts dentists," he explained.


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Based on the Indonesian Dentist Association's (PDGI's) initial calculation, dentists have to spend Rp200 thousand to serve each patient, he said.



This calculation is based on device utilization outside of doctor practice service, he informed.



"Hence, based on PDGI's calculation, every dentist that joins the BPJS program experiences a loss," Soestayo said.



"A solution that does not harm both sides should be sought immediately. One of the solutions that PDGI has offered is raising the capitation fund," he added.


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Another solution is utilizing a fee claim or cost-sharing system, Soesatyo noted. The financing cost for this system can be further discussed by BPJS and PDGI, he said.



Such a system will help ensure that 38 thousand practicing dentists do not suffer a loss after joining the BPJS program, he added.



"It is true that dentists do not work solely for material benefit. They also act as an assistant to the public in maintaining their health," he remarked.



"Hence, the state should also give the appropriate attention to dentists," he said.


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Translator: Imam B, Fadhli Ruhman
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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