Proposed Prices for Mandatory Health Insurance for Residents and Visitors in Qatar

Qatar Health Insurance Guide for Travelers and Residents

Qatar public and private health sector and insurance companies are coordinating and planning ahead in order to ensure readiness to implement Law No. (22) of 2021 regulating health care services within Qatar, which will enter into force in May.

According to Al-Sharq website, the proposed prices for the insurance segments in the start of the implementation of the law start from 350 QR and 400 QR and up to 1500 QR. The packages will vary according to the services covered by the insurance policy for each category of beneficiaries.

The information also indicates that some insurance companies will provide options for families in order to increase the insurance cover of beneficiaries and facilitate access to health services for residents and visitors.

The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) noted that based on the new law, a mandatory health insurance system will be implemented for all expatriates and visitors to the country, which provides basic health care services to them through health care providers in government health facilities and private sector, according to the insurance coverage policy.

The provisions of the law also oblige the employer to provide health insurance for its non-Qatari workers through insurance companies registered with the MoPH, in order to provide them with basic insurance coverage, and the same obligation applies to the recruiter to provide basic coverage for those who bring them.

Today, insurance companies, claims management firms, and insurance brokers are coordinating to work on the implementation of the law in accordance with the established standards and conditions, and to develop the necessary systems for data control and protection by all participants in the mandatory health insurance system.

Article (10) of the law states: “It is not permissible to issue or renew an entry visa for an expatriate or visitor, or to grant or renew a residence permit, and it is not permissible to employ an expatriate except after submitting evidence of his participation in the mandatory health insurance for the duration of the stay.”

The same article also stipulates that “the duration of the subscription shall cover the duration of the entry permit or residence permit, unless it is excluded from mandatory health insurance under the previous article of this Act”.

The following are the most important points in the new law:

• The decision of the mandatory health insurance for expatriates and visitors to the state aims to regulate the work of the medical and health sector in Qatar.

• The new system provides health care services to all segments of society and supports making the most of the medical capabilities available in this private sector.

• Qatar is keen to provide an integrated medical service to all those who reside on its land alike and the new mandatory health insurance decision is in place in the world and has proved particularly effective in improving access to treatment facilities and ensuring quality of service.

• Public and private sector participation in the provision of health care services to the population will reduce waiting time in health facilities in the country and provide appointments easily in record time that meets the health needs of the entire population and the highest quality.

• Government medical and health institutions and private sector institutions both provide high-quality health services.

• Private institutions and companies play their roles in participating in the cost of providing medical care to their sponsors.

• The Government will prevent the rise in mandatory health insurance prices and will not allow any party to exploit insurance outside the legal framework in exchange for illegal material profit or fraud.

• The law clarified the rights and duties of all parties and imposed penalties and fines on violators, and established a mechanism for deciding complaints about compulsory health insurance submitted by the parties to the insurance relationship.

• The new health insurance system is one of the most important projects of the National Health Strategy 2018-2022 aimed at achieving the health goals of Qatar National Vision 2030.

Amir HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani issued Law no. 22 of 2021 on regulating health care services within the country last October 19, 2021. The law is scheduled to be introduced in May after it was published in the Official Gazette last November, where the law stipulates that it will be in operation 6 months after the date of publication in the Official Gazette, during which period will continue to provide services to the entire population, and the ministry will issue all controls related to the application of the law and the health insurance system and publish it during the coming period.

The Ministry confirmed that the health insurance system will lead to the development of the health sector and services provided to the public, by alleviating the challenges facing the health care sector resulting from the steady population growth, through the participation of the public and private sectors in providing health care services to the population, which in turn will reduce waiting time in the government health facilities in the country and provide appointments for medical consultations easily within a fast time that meets the health needs of people and at the highest level of quality.