Coordination is taking place in full swing between the public and private health sector and insurance companies, in order to ensure the readiness to implement Law No. (22) of 2021 regulating health care services within the country, which will enter into force next May.
Al-Sharq website learned that the prices of the proposed insurance segments to work with with the start of the law’s implementation start from 350 riyals and 400 riyals with a gradation up to 1500 riyals, as the packages will be varied according to the services that will be covered by the insurance policy for each category of beneficiaries.
The information also indicates that some insurance companies will provide options for families with the aim of increasing the insurance cover for beneficiaries and facilitating the access of residents and visitors to health services.
During the current period, the administrative and financial committees in the Ministry of Public Health are active in order to reconcile the internal conditions and develop the necessary plans and procedures to implement a mandatory health insurance system for all expatriates and visitors to the country, according to Law No. (22) of 2021 regulating health care services within the country.
Work and coordination with insurance companies, claims management companies and insurance brokers are also underway to implement the law in accordance with the standards and conditions set, and to develop the necessary systems to monitor and protect data by all participants in the mandatory health insurance system.
It is scheduled to start implementing the law next May, following it was published in the Official Gazette last November. Applying the law and the health insurance system and publishing it during the coming period.
According to the Ministry of Public Health, the law provides basic health care services to delegations and visitors through health care providers in a number of government health facilities and the private sector, in accordance with the insurance coverage system for them.
The provisions of the law also oblige the employer to provide health insurance for its non-Qatari workers through insurance companies registered with the Ministry of Public Health, in order to provide them with basic insurance coverage. The same obligation applies to the recruiter to provide basic coverage for those who bring them.
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 following submitting evidence of his participation in the compulsory health insurance for the duration of the stay.”
The same article also states that “the subscription period covers the duration of the entry visa or residence permit, unless it is excluded from the mandatory health insurance under the previous article of this law.”
The health insurance system will lead to the development of the health sector and the 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 health facilities. Easily provide appointments for medical consultations in a record time that meets the health needs of citizens and at the highest level of quality.
Below we review the most important points in the new law:
• The mandatory health insurance decision for expatriates and visitors to the country aims to regulate the work of the medical and health sector in the State of Qatar.
• The new system works to provide health care services to all segments of society and supports maximum utilization of the medical capabilities available in this private sector.
• The State of Qatar is keen to provide an integrated medical service to all who reside on its land alike, and the new mandatory health insurance decision is in force in the countries of the world and has proven its effectiveness, especially in improving access to treatment facilities and ensuring the quality of service.
• The participation of the public and private sectors in providing health care services to the population, and this will lead to reducing waiting time in health facilities in the country and providing appointments easily within a record time that meets the health needs of the entire population and at the highest level of quality.
• The governmental medical and health institutions and the private sector institutions both provide high quality health services.
• Private institutions and companies assume their roles in participating in bearing the cost of providing medical care to their dependents.
• The government will prevent the rise in the prices of compulsory health insurance and will not allow any party to exploit insurance outside the legal framework in exchange for illegal financial profit or fraud.
• The law clarifies the rights and duties of all parties and sets penalties and fines for violators, as well as establishing a mechanism to resolve complaints related to 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.
