Indonesia Hospitals: What to Do When You Need Medical Treatment

Indonesian hospitals have improved a lot, but as an expat you will almost always want a private hospital for English-speaking staff and shorter waits. This guide explains the public-versus-private split, the hospital classes, room types that drive your bill, and when to consider treatment abroad.

The quality of care in Indonesian hospitals has improved over the last 20 years. Both government and private hospitals have been making great strides in acquiring top-notch facilities to meet Indonesian citizens’ needs.

In this article, we will discuss the differences between government and private hospitals in Indonesia. We’ve also included recommendations and other vital information you should know before choosing a hospital in Indonesia. Read on to learn which kind of hospital is best for your specific needs and budget.

Treatment Quality

Although the quality of treatment in Indonesian hospitals has been improving over the last few years, it still cannot compare to hospitals in countries like Thailand and Singapore.

In fact, many Indonesians prefer to go to any of these countries to get treatment.

However, this doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t consider hospitals in Indonesia at all. It’s perfectly fine to visit a local hospital for a common illness. But when it comes to serious diseases, you might be better off getting treatment from hospitals in other countries with better facilities and services.

This is why it’s a good idea for expats in Indonesia to get international insurance, since it offers international coverage. The insurance provider will cover your costs even if you get treatment outside of Indonesia.

Hospital Types

There are two general types of hospitals in Indonesia: public and private.

Public Hospital

Public hospitals can be divided into four classes:

• Class A: Hospitals in this class are usually big, equipped with good facilities, and have specialist doctors. However, they are also more expensive than hospitals in other classes. An example of a hospital in this class is RSUPN Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo.
• Class B: The hospitals in this class are quite similar to those in Class A, but with relatively limited medical facilities. Class B hospitals have many in-patient rooms, pleasant interiors, and parking spaces. An example of a hospital in this class is RS Husada Mangga Besar.
• Class C: The hospitals in this class can only provide treatments for common illnesses. They also tend to have a limited number of doctors. However, the medical fees they charge are low. An example of a hospital in this class is RS Pertamina Jaya.
• Class D: Hospitals in this class are known to be inexpensive. Note, however, that these hospitals have a limited number of rooms and fewer doctors available. Class D hospitals tend to have only around 3-4 doctors at any given time. An example of a hospital in this class is RSUD Kemayoran.

While there are many government hospitals in Class A with excellent facilities, wait times can be very long. You may have to wait a whole day for a simple doctor’s visit even if you booked an appointment in advance.

Moreover, many public hospitals often don’t accept appointments, only walk-ins. This results in patients rushing to these hospitals very early in the morning (as early as 7am-9am) to queue up. It usually takes an entire day to get a diagnosis, check out, and purchase medicines.

In addition, medical staff in these hospitals might not be able to speak English. This is why a majority of expats in Indonesia prefer to go to private hospitals, so they can avoid crowds and see a doctor who can speak English.

Indonesia has a public insurance system called BPJS, a program that subsidizes medical treatment obtained in a public hospital, helping low-income people pay less for medical care.

Private Hospitals

Private hospitals are popular among expats in Indonesia because even though they are more expensive compared to public hospitals, they have better facilities, services, and shorter waiting times. 

Doctors in private hospitals also tend to be better-trained. That said, there are many doctors who work in both private and public hospitals.

Medical staff in private hospitals can communicate in English, but it’s still a good idea to bring along a translator if you’re getting treated for a serious disease to avoid miscommunication.

A popular private hospital in Indonesia is RS Pondok Indah, particularly the branch in the Pondok Indah area. (They have three branches in Indonesia).

Private Clinics

There are many private clinics in Indonesia that specialize in certain treatments, including common illnesses, pregnancy care, and dermatology, to name a few. Because many of these clinics are individually owned, they are usually quite busy.

If you’d rather not go to a private hospital, you should visit a private clinic for common sicknesses. Most doctors in private clinics and their staff can communicate in English. 

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However, you shouldn’t expect to get a surgical operation from these small clinics as they have limited facilities unlike big hospitals. For major operations, they will recommend a specific hospital for patients to get treatment.

Additionally, a majority of private clinics don’t accept any form of insurance, so be prepared to pay out of pocket.

Do Expats Need BPJS Kesehatan?

If you work in Indonesia, you’re probably required to join BPJS Kesehatan, the national health insurance scheme, once you’ve lived and worked here long enough to qualify. The rule comes from Presidential Regulation 82/2018, but in practice your employer or sponsor sorts it out as part of your KITAS paperwork. Not sure whether you’re already enrolled? Ask your HR department or your nearest BPJS Kesehatan branch office.

A few things are worth knowing before you rely on it:

• It gets you into the public hospital system described above. You’re assigned a room class (Class 1, 2, or 3), and that class also sets how much you pay each month.
• It only covers treatment inside Indonesia, so it won’t pay for care in Singapore, Thailand, or anywhere else you might fly to for a serious diagnosis.
• You can sign up voluntarily even if you’re not legally required to, through the BPJS Kesehatan app or a branch office, handy if you want a backup to your private plan.

Most long-term expats still keep a separate private or international health plan on top of BPJS Kesehatan. Public hospital care under BPJS means longer queues, and the cover stops at Indonesia’s border.

List of Hospital in Indonesia

Below is a list of some government and private hospitals in Indonesia:

1. RSUD Dr. M. Yunus Bengkulu

Jl. Bhayangkara, Sidomulyo, Kec. Gading Cemp., Kota Bengkulu, Bengkulu 38211, Indonesia

This is one of many hospitals that has a reputation for its inability to prioritize patients. Most of the patients who seek treatment here use the BPJS program, which means this hospital doesn’t receive enough funding that will allow it to provide excellent patient care.

This is a Class B hospital, so it has a wide variety of specialists and a few subspecialists. Overall, however, the services could be further improved.

2. RSU Deli Medan

Jl. Merbabu No.18, Pusat Ps., Kec. Medan Kota, Kota Medan, Sumatera Utara 20212, Indonesia

This Class C hospital is a small public hospital in Medan City. It has a limited number of specialists and just adequate facilities, with not a lot of parking space. It is, however, known for its cleanliness. Patients should use their BPJS program to pay for their bill here.

3. RSU Fatmawati Jakarta

Jl. RS. Fatmawati Raya No.4, RT.4/RW.9, Cilandak Bar., Kec. Cilandak, Kota Jakarta Selatan, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta 12430, Indonesia

This is a Class A public hospital with good facilities and highly qualified specialists. Expect long wait times if you’re getting specialist treatment, but Class A hospitals like this typically offer above-average services, especially if you’re getting treatment for common illnesses.

4. MRCCC Siloam Semanggi

Jl. Garnisun Dalam No. 2-3 Semanggi, 12930

This private hospital specializes in oncology. In the past, there weren’t many hospitals in Indonesia that offered cancer treatment. That has changed in recent years, as more and more hospitals have incorporated an oncology department into their operations. Indonesian hospitals have stepped up, many of which now have advanced facilities, especially for cancer treatment, and offer services like PET scan and biopsy. Additionally, these hospitals have reputable oncologists.

5. RS St. Carolus

Jalan Salemba Raya No. 41 Jakarta 10440

This private hospital has 154 doctors in its roster, including obstetricians, general practitioners, surgeons, and mental health professionals, to name a few. This hospital has gained a reputation for having well-maintained facilities, being responsive and reliable in emergency cases, and providing excellent patient care. It has won awards for its outstanding services.

This hospital is especially known for its obstetrics, gynecology, and surgery departments.

Many of the above-mentioned hospitals are located in the center of Jakarta, but there are many other decent private hospitals in other cities. However, people who want to get cancer treatment should certainly consider MRCCC Siloam Semanggi, as they are known for their top-notch oncology services.

How To Tell If a Hospital Is Actually Good

A hospital’s class (A, B, C, or D) tells you about its size and equipment, not the quality of care you will get inside it. For that, accreditation is the better signal to check.

• KARS accreditation: issued by Komisi Akreditasi Rumah Sakit, Indonesia’s own national hospital accreditation body. Most hospitals that take patient safety seriously, public and private, hold a current KARS rating.
• JCI accreditation: Joint Commission International is the international gold standard, and only a small number of Indonesia’s larger private hospital groups have pursued it (branches of groups like Siloam, Mayapada, and RS Pondok Indah among them). Accreditation is granted per hospital, not per group, and it expires and gets renewed. Check the specific branch rather than assuming the whole chain qualifies.

If you are weighing a major procedure such as surgery, cancer treatment, or cardiac care, call the hospital directly and ask to see its current accreditation certificate. You can also check Joint Commission International’s own accredited-organization search tool. Status changes from year to year.

Doctors

The quality of doctors in Indonesia is said to be average. This may be attributed to the fact that a majority of doctors in Indonesia graduated from public schools. This is well and good, but there is a certain perception that the quality of medical education in Indonesia is not on par with that of medical schools in developed countries.

Another perception is that doctors who only attended local schools may not be as skilled as those who studied and practiced locally and abroad. In Indonesia, doctors who obtained a medical degree and practiced abroad tend to be the ones who can communicate well with expat patients, as they’re the ones with well-developed English language skills.

Rooms

In Indonesia, hospital rooms are grouped into several classes. 

Here’s an example from RS Pondok Indah Hospital. (prices from March 2026)

• Class III – A room shared with 5 other patients (divided by curtains) costing Rp 600,000 per person.
• Class II – A room shared with 2 other patients (divided by curtains) costing Rp 1,150,000 per person.
• Class I – A room shared with 2 other patients (divided by curtains), costing Rp 1,600,000 per person because it has 2 TVs, one for each patient.
• VIP room – A private room costing Rp 3,200,000 per person.
• VVIP room – A larger private room with better facilities and services, costing Rp 4,000,000 to 5,000,000 per person.
• Junior Suite room – A larger private room compared to a VVIP room, with much better facilities, services, food, and also some allowance for guests to stay overnight, costing Rp 6,000,000 per person.
• Suite room – The largest private room with top-notch amenities, services, a sofabed for family, and a dining table, costing Rp 8,000,000 per person.

Treatment Cost

Treatment costs in Indonesian hospitals are quite affordable, which isn’t surprising as the cost of living in Indonesia is generally low.

For instance, in public hospitals, the cost of an in-patient room starts at Rp 250,000 per day. Fees for X-ray, blood test, doctor’s consultation, optical coherence tomography (OCT) scan, ultrasound sonography test (USG), and general sickness check can cost around Rp 300,000 to Rp 6,000,000 depending on the severity of your condition.

Expect to pay the most when you get any type of surgery. Surgery can cost anywhere from Rp 11,000,000 to Rp 55,000,000. 

The costs in private hospitals can be double the price of what they charge at public hospitals. For example, surgery and additional treatments could cost between Rp 165,000,000 and Rp 365,000,000. Expect charges for rooms and other services to be higher in private hospitals, as well.

Registering

You should bring an identification card, such as a passport, with you every time you visit a hospital in Indonesia. Even if you booked an appointment online, you will still need to queue up and go through all the processes, which for many visits typically include a consultation, blood test (when necessary), and/or X-ray.

The whole process can take a whole day depending on your illness. As for medicines, you can purchase them from the hospital, but these cost 50% more than in pharmacies outside. You could simply ask your doctor to write down a prescription for you so you can buy them from a local pharmacy where medicines are much cheaper.

However, some medicines may not be available at local pharmacies, so you’ll just have to keep looking at other pharmacies.

Insurance

Both public and private hospitals accept international insurance, so when choosing a hospital, make sure it is included in your insurance provider’s network of hospitals.

You should choose carefully, especially when you’re getting treatment for a serious disease, as the medical bill tends to be expensive for such conditions.

When you have your insurance on hand, the front office will ask whether you want to be treated using your insurance or pay on your own. When you choose to have the treatment paid by insurance, it will take a longer time during registration.

The registrar’s office needs to cross-check some data with the insurance company first before letting you in.

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When you choose to pay on your own, it will be much quicker. Depending on your policy, you might be able to make a claim later after you’ve checked out from the hospital.

What Happens in a Medical Emergency

In a real emergency in a city, getting straight to the nearest private hospital’s ER by taxi or Grab is often faster than waiting for an ambulance, especially in Jakarta traffic. When you move in, save the number of the private hospital nearest your home, not just a generic hotline.

Private hospitals usually want an upfront deposit, or a guarantee letter from your insurer, before they’ll admit you for anything beyond basic ER stabilization. That’s doubly true if you can’t show proof of insurance on the spot. Keep a photo of your insurance card and your policy number on your phone, and know your insurer’s emergency hotline, so the hospital can confirm your coverage fast instead of asking you to pay out of pocket first.

For anything life-threatening or highly specialized, most expat policies include medical evacuation. Check whether that benefit is on your plan before you need it, not after.

Language

Expats may face communication challenges due to language barriers when visiting public hospitals in Indonesia, as not many of the local staff at any given hospital can speak English.

Not even the doctors, many of whom may not have studied or practiced abroad, may be able to speak English fluently. This is one of the reasons why it’s highly recommended to ask a local or anyone able to speak Bahasa Indonesia to accompany you when visiting a hospital or seeing a doctor at a clinic.

That way, your companion can translate for you, particularly if you choose to visit a public hospital.

On the other hand, most private hospitals will have staff who can speak English well. 

Transportation Options

If you don’t own a vehicle, you can hail a ride using Grab or Gojek to take you to the hospital. These platforms offer a wide range of transportation services, and they can drive you anywhere, near or far. Fare costs Rp 20,000 to Rp 50,000 on average.

Although taking public transportation is cheap, routes are very limited and may be far from your destination.

You can also find taxis everywhere, while in many cities, there are pedicabs with bicycle or motorcycle taxis, which charge much more affordable fares.

Additional Tips

It’s important to do some research if you’re a foreigner looking for a hospital to visit. Be sure to make an appointment in advance, wear a mask, and stay away from scammers who may pretend to help you but ask you for a fee for something you could easily do yourself.

Advise the doctor immediately if there are issues with the medicine you were prescribed. It’s crucial to inform your doctor of any allergies you may have or any other medicines you may be taking. If you feel the need to, get a second opinion from other medical providers.

Now, on to You

We hope that this article gave you a better understanding of how hospitals in Indonesia work, which is important for you to learn as an expat in Indonesia.

Although you might have some reservations about the quality of hospitals and the healthcare system in Indonesia, you shouldn’t hesitate to visit one if you ever get sick. If you follow the right processes, you’ll be just fine and the local doctors and medical staff will take good care of you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is BPJS Kesehatan mandatory for foreigners living in Indonesia?

It can be, depending on your visa and how long you have lived and worked in the country. Foreign workers who qualify are generally enrolled through their employer as part of the KITAS process. Check with your HR department or a BPJS Kesehatan branch office to confirm your own status.

Can tourists use BPJS Kesehatan?

No. BPJS Kesehatan is for residents, meaning Indonesian citizens and foreigners with a valid KITAS or KITAP, not short-term visitors. Tourists should carry travel or international health insurance instead and pay for treatment directly if needed.

Which private hospitals in Indonesia are best known for foreign patients?

Large private groups such as Siloam Hospitals, Mayapada Hospital, and RS Pondok Indah are the names most expats in Jakarta and other big cities end up using, mainly for the English-speaking staff and the broader specialist coverage. Availability of a specific specialist, and accreditation, still varies by branch, so check the individual hospital before you commit.

Do Indonesian hospitals accept credit cards?

Most private hospitals do, along with debit cards and cash. Public hospitals are more likely to expect cash or a BPJS Kesehatan card, so carry some cash as a backup if you are heading to a government facility.

What should I bring with me to a hospital visit in Indonesia?

Bring your passport or KITAS, your insurance card (or BPJS Kesehatan card if you are enrolled), and any previous test results or prescriptions relevant to your visit. If you do not speak Indonesian, bringing someone who does will save you time at registration.

Can I get medical evacuation from Indonesia if I need treatment abroad?

Many international health insurance plans sold to expats in Indonesia include medical evacuation, usually to Singapore for serious or specialized cases. Check your own policy’s terms and evacuation network before you need it, since not every plan includes it by default.

Sources Cited

• BPJS Kesehatan (official national health insurance agency)
• Kementerian Kesehatan RI (Indonesia’s Ministry of Health)
• Joint Commission International, accredited organizations
• RS Pondok Indah Hospital Group (official site)
• Siloam Hospitals Group (official site)