Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – Unang Bagito is back in the spotlight after his life story attracted attention. It turned out that the famous senior comedian had suffered from a mysterious illness 20 years ago, and his financial condition was in disarray.

“Running out of money, running out of time, that's all,” said Unang Bagito at Studio Rumpi: No Secret, Transmedia area, South Jakarta, a few days ago.

Because of this disease, Unang mobilized all his financial abilities to recover. He even underwent alternative treatment.

“That's the end of the name, I'm sorry if people are directed to seek alternative treatment, there are things that have to be paid for this amount of millions, we'll just do it because we want to get better. At that time the money is there, that's it,” he said.

Unang's co-workers, Miing and Didin said that although the disease had no impact on their work. Unang's family and psychology were attacked, as a result Unang intended to end his life.

“It was like there was some kind of whisper to my mind, I was told to touch what was inside me first. I said yes, I can't. How could I, it was like I was having a dialogue with my mind. Suddenly when I looked there was an object like a grass clipper I was about to stab (into myself), but he said (in his mind) don't, don't,” admitted Unang.

“All influences, that's the effect. It's hard to detect that. That's the effect of the disease. If you say (check) to the doctor (and then you're sick) you'll find out you have the disease (for example), there's clear sugar (sugar disease), there's high blood pressure ( it's clear there is a disease), it's difficult to detect it,” he said.

Unang's case certainly teaches us about the importance of having financial protection in the form of health insurance.

The importance of having health insurance while you are healthy

The way to mitigate financial risks due to illness is to have health insurance while you are young.

By having health insurance, the financial burden that arises when you become ill will be transferred to the insurance company and in return, you will have to pay a premium or regular annual contribution to the insurance company.

However, if the illness you suffer from is an illness related to mental health, can it still be covered?

Observer and practitioner of the life insurance industry, Susatyo Widodo, said that it seems that mental treatment cannot be covered easily through health insurance.

“Psychiatric treatment (in the form of consultation) actually exists, but generally it is a companion benefit to coverage for critical illnesses,” said Susatyo to CNBC in February 2024.

Susatyo added, if someone is infected with a critical illness such as cancer or other illnesses, generally there will be assistance from a psychiatric doctor or psychologist. The consultation costs will be covered.

However, as time goes by, Susatyo said that recently a number of insurance companies have begun to review several products related to psychiatric treatment benefits.

[Gambas:Video CNBC]

(aak/aak)