Health Insurance for Expats in Indonesia

Overview

Indonesia—especially Bali—has become one of the world's top destinations for digital nomads, retirees, and long-term expats. The combination of low cost of living, tropical climate, and growing infrastructure makes it increasingly attractive.

Healthcare in Indonesia varies dramatically by location. Bali and Jakarta have modern international hospitals, while rural areas have limited facilities. For expats, private international insurance is strongly recommended to access quality care and evacuation coverage if needed.

Indonesia Healthcare System

Indonesia has a two-tier healthcare system: public BPJS Kesehatan and private healthcare. Quality varies significantly between the two.

Public Healthcare (BPJS Kesehatan)

BPJS Kesehatan is Indonesia's national health insurance program. Key points for expats:

• KITAS/KITAP holders: Required to enroll and pay monthly contributions
• Coverage: Basic care at public hospitals and clinics
• Quality: Variable—often crowded with long waits
• Language: Indonesian only at most facilities
• Cost: IDR 150,000-600,000/month (~$10-40)

Most expats find BPJS inadequate for their needs and use private insurance instead, though KITAS holders must still enroll in BPJS.

Private Healthcare

Private hospitals in major cities offer much better care:

• Bali: BIMC Hospital, Siloam Hospitals, Kasih Ibu Hospital
• Jakarta: Pondok Indah Hospital, RS Medistra, Siloam Hospitals
• Surabaya: National Hospital, Siloam Hospitals

Private hospitals offer English-speaking staff, modern equipment, and international standards—but at much higher prices than public facilities.

Medical Evacuation

For serious conditions, evacuation to Singapore or Australia may be necessary. This is especially true outside major cities. Medical evacuation coverage is essential for Indonesia expats.

Visa Insurance Requirements

Indonesia's insurance requirements depend on your visa type:

Tourist Visa / Visa on Arrival

No mandatory insurance requirement, but travel insurance is strongly recommended. The visa on arrival allows 30-60 days and can be extended.

B211A Visa (Social/Cultural)

Popular with digital nomads for 60-180 day stays. No specific insurance requirement, but sponsors may request proof of coverage. International health insurance recommended.

Second Home Visa

Indonesia's 5-10 year visa for wealthy individuals. Requires proof of health insurance as part of the application. International coverage that meets Indonesian standards is needed.

KITAS (Temporary Stay Permit)

Work and retirement visas. KITAS holders are required to:

• Enroll in BPJS Kesehatan (mandatory)
• Pay monthly BPJS contributions

Most KITAS holders also maintain private international insurance since BPJS coverage is limited. This dual coverage approach is common.

Retirement Visa (KITAS Lansia)

For retirees 55+. Requires proof of health insurance coverage as part of the application. International insurance that covers Indonesia is typically accepted.

Digital Nomad Visa (Coming Soon)

Indonesia has announced plans for a digital nomad visa. Requirements are expected to include proof of health insurance. International coverage will likely be accepted.

Recommended Plans

Here are the most popular insurance options for expats in Indonesia:

For Digital Nomads

SafetyWing is the most popular choice among Bali digital nomads. At $45/month, it provides basic travel medical coverage that works for healthy individuals on tourist or B211A visas. Limitations: no pre-existing conditions, limited coverage, no routine care.

For Long-Term Expats

International insurers offer comprehensive coverage for serious expats:

• Cigna Global — Best overall for comprehensive coverage, strong evacuation benefits
• Allianz Care — Flexible modular plans, good value
• IMG Global — Budget international option with high-deductible plans
• BUPA Global — Premium coverage with excellent mental health benefits

Key Coverage Considerations

• Medical evacuation: Essential—ensure at least $100,000 coverage
• Regional coverage: Plans should cover Singapore/Australia for evacuations
• Direct billing: Look for plans with Indonesian hospital networks
• Outpatient care: Affordable to pay out of pocket; consider inpatient-only plans

Expected Costs

Indonesia offers affordable healthcare compared to Singapore or Australia, but quality varies:

Insurance Costs

• Travel medical (SafetyWing): $45-70/month
• Budget international: $80-150/month
• Comprehensive international: $150-300/month
• Premium coverage: $250-450/month
• BPJS (mandatory for KITAS): $10-40/month

Out-of-Pocket Costs (Private Hospitals)

• GP consultation: IDR 300,000-600,000 ($20-40)
• Specialist visit: IDR 500,000-1,500,000 ($35-100)
• Emergency room: IDR 1,000,000-3,000,000+ ($70-200+)
• Hospital stay: IDR 2,000,000-5,000,000/day ($140-350/day)
• Surgery: IDR 20,000,000-100,000,000+ ($1,400-7,000+)

Public vs Private

Public hospital costs are 50-80% lower, but most expats prefer private facilities for quality and language reasons. Paying out of pocket for routine care at private clinics is affordable.

Bali vs Jakarta

Healthcare costs in Bali and Jakarta are similar for private facilities. Bali has fewer options but sufficient international-standard hospitals for most needs.

Common Questions

Is health insurance mandatory in Indonesia?

BPJS enrollment is mandatory for KITAS/KITAP holders. Other visa types don't have strict requirements, but some visas (Second Home, Retirement) require proof of coverage. Private insurance is strongly recommended regardless of requirements.

Is SafetyWing enough for Bali?

For healthy digital nomads on short stays, SafetyWing provides adequate emergency coverage. For longer stays, pre-existing conditions, or comprehensive coverage, international health insurance is better. SafetyWing has a $250,000 limit and doesn't cover routine care.

Do I need evacuation coverage?

Yes. Medical evacuation from Indonesia—especially from islands outside Java—can be extremely expensive. Evacuation to Singapore is common for serious conditions. Ensure your plan covers at least $100,000 in evacuation costs.

Can I use international insurance with BPJS?

Yes. KITAS holders must enroll in BPJS but can also maintain private insurance. Most expats use private insurance for actual care and treat BPJS as a legal requirement only.

What hospitals should I look for in Bali?

BIMC Hospital (Kuta and Nusa Dua) is the top international-standard hospital in Bali. Siloam Hospitals and Kasih Ibu are also good options. Ensure your insurance has direct billing with these facilities.

What about dental care?

Dental care in Indonesia is affordable at private clinics. Most expats pay out of pocket (cleaning: $30-50, filling: $50-100) rather than adding dental coverage to their plans.