As Indonesia’s bustling cities and rural heartlands gear up for the annual surge in travel during the Christmas and New Year holiday season, millions of citizens who rely on the National Health Insurance Program (JKN) are breathing a collective sigh of relief. BPJS Kesehatan, the agency responsible for administering JKN, has confirmed that participants will retain full access to healthcare services throughout the holiday period—even if they find themselves far from home.
On December 23, 2025, BPJS Kesehatan’s Head of Public Relations, Rizzky Anugerah, issued a written statement underscoring the agency’s commitment to seamless healthcare access. "JKN participants can access healthcare services anywhere in Indonesia, regardless of KTP domicile," Rizzky stated, highlighting the program’s core principle of portability. This assurance is especially timely, as the Christmas and New Year holidays (known locally as Nataru) see a significant spike in domestic travel, with families reuniting and vacationers flocking to tourist hotspots across the archipelago.
What does this mean in practice? For starters, JKN participants are entitled to receive care at any Primary Healthcare Facility (Fasilitas Kesehatan Tingkat Pertama, or FKTP) up to three times, so long as their membership remains active and they adhere to established procedures. This flexibility is a boon for those whose holiday plans take them well beyond their hometowns. But the real test of any healthcare system often comes in moments of crisis—and here, too, BPJS Kesehatan has taken steps to ensure no one is left in the lurch.
In cases of medical emergency, participants can head straight to the nearest hospital Emergency Room (Instalasi Gawat Darurat, or IGD), without the need for a referral letter. This applies to both partner and non-partner hospitals. The assessment of what constitutes an emergency is left entirely to the attending physician, ensuring that medical judgment, not bureaucracy, guides the response. As Rizzky put it, "The assessment of emergency conditions is entirely at the discretion of the attending doctor."
The importance of this policy is echoed by Galih Anjung Sari, head of the BPJS Kesehatan branch in Pamekasan. Speaking to RadarMadura.id on December 22, 2025, Galih emphasized that patient safety is the guiding principle in emergency care. "JKN participants experiencing an emergency while outside their city can go directly to the nearest hospital ER. Medical care must be given first, without waiting for administrative completeness," Galih stated. This approach, he explained, ensures that the so-called tiered referral system—which normally governs non-emergency care—is set aside when time is of the essence.
The criteria for what constitutes a medical emergency have been standardized nationwide, and hospitals are strictly prohibited from turning away JKN patients in such cases. Galih noted, "Hospitals are not allowed to refuse JKN emergency patients for any reason." This national integration extends to the JKN membership system itself, which allows for quick verification using a participant’s National Identification Number (NIK) or a digital JKN card via the Mobile JKN Application. Administrative formalities can be sorted out after the patient’s condition has stabilized, ensuring that care is never delayed by paperwork.
To further smooth the process, BPJS Kesehatan encourages participants to use the Mobile JKN Application—not just for digital identification, but also to locate nearby health facilities and submit complaints if needed. For those who prefer other channels, information and assistance remain available via WhatsApp PANDAWA at 08118165165 and the Care Center at 165. According to BPJS Kesehatan, all service channels and partner health facilities are on standby throughout the Nataru holiday season, ready to meet the healthcare needs of JKN participants wherever they may be.
But how does this look on the ground? For Uswatun Hasanah, a 32-year-old JKN participant from Sidoarjo, the system’s promises became reality during a recent holiday in Sumenep. While enjoying a family barbecue, Uswatun accidentally drank kerosene, mistaking it for water—a frightening mishap by any measure. "At that moment, I was immediately taken to RSUD dr. H. Moh Anwar because I was afraid of poisoning. I was immediately treated in the ER without complicated procedures," Uswatun recounted. She added that all administrative matters were handled after the emergency was resolved and tailored to her condition. "The process was not complicated at all and the staff were responsive. I felt calm because JKN could still be used even while on holiday outside the city," she said. Her experience demonstrates the practical impact of BPJS Kesehatan’s policies, offering reassurance to millions of Indonesians who may find themselves in need of urgent care far from home.
BPJS Kesehatan’s efforts to educate participants about these procedures are ongoing. The agency hopes that by making information accessible and clear, participants will feel more secure when traveling, knowing they can rely on JKN wherever they go. This commitment is especially vital during the holidays, when the risk of accidents and health emergencies can rise amid crowded roads, unfamiliar environments, and the general hustle and bustle of festive gatherings.
Underlying these policies is a broader vision: to ensure that the promise of universal health coverage (UHC) is more than just a slogan. By prioritizing patient safety, minimizing administrative hurdles in emergencies, and leveraging technology for real-time verification and support, BPJS Kesehatan is working to make healthcare truly portable and responsive. The agency’s integrated national system, which allows for seamless verification and post-treatment administration, reflects a modern approach to public health—one that recognizes the realities of a mobile, dynamic population.
Of course, the system is not without its challenges. Ensuring that every hospital complies with the no-refusal rule, maintaining the readiness of partner facilities in remote areas, and keeping information channels responsive during peak travel periods are ongoing tasks. Yet, the testimonials of participants like Uswatun Hasanah suggest that, at least for now, the system is delivering where it matters most.
As Indonesia’s holiday travelers crisscross the country this Nataru season, BPJS Kesehatan’s assurances offer a measure of peace of mind. Whether facing a sudden illness in a distant town or a medical emergency on the road, JKN participants can count on access to care—no matter where their journeys may take them.