Cost Estimates Related to COVID-19 Treatment in Indonesia: What Should be Concerned?

Abstract

Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) is a pandemic disease in all over the world caused by SARS-COV-2 virus. This disease also spread all over Indonesia. The cost of treating People Under Surveillance and Patient under Monitoring, also confirmed patient of COVID-19 will be financed by the Indonesian Government. This research aimed to identify the estimated cost for treating the Covid-19 patients in Indonesia. The calculation method used top up costs and INA CBGs based on the number of hospitalized positive patients. The data source was COVID-19 data in Central Java and national data. Case growth calculated by doubling time positive cases of COVID-19 in Central Java were 1.7 (range 1.73 – 2.73). Range of days was between 6-8 days. The amount of top up cost for one day treatment refers to Health Ministry of Indonesia Decree Number HK.01.07/MENKES/238/2020 and cost estimation of INACBGs with the severity level II and III. This calculation did not include donations, outpatients and other costs. The result of this study, estimation if patients were treated in ICU for 8 days and non ICU for 7 days, and the rest of inpatients according to INACBs, so the cost of COVID-19 treatment for 14 – 28 days estimated at 75.7-77.3 million rupiah/patient. Whereas if the patient treated in ICU for 14 days and non ICU for 14 days, the rest of inpatient according to INACBs, the cost for COVID-19 treatment estimated at 130.4- 133.2 million rupiah/patient. The COVID-19 treatment is quite expensive and can be a burden for the Government of Indonesia’s budget. In addition, the limited access and health facilities also become an obstacle. Strengthening promotive and preventive efforts are needed to prevent the surge of COVID-19 case. Policies which support strict social and physical distancing are needed so that the interventions become more effective.