Expatriate health insurance needed for Iqama

In Saudi Arabia, the Passport Department has begun demanding documents to prove that health insurance cover is provided to expatriate workers by their employers or themselves.

 

Insurance proof is needed before the issue of new or renewed iqamas (residence permits).

 

There are an estimated eight million expatriates and their dependents in the Kingdom.

 

Several insurers have licences to offer cover.

 

Health Minister Dr. Hamad Al-Manie explains that the cooperative health insurance scheme will cover all expatriate workers as well as Saudis working in the private sector this year, and adds: “It will be applied later to all Saudis”.

 

The Council for Cooperative Health Insurance has already instructed companies to provide health insurance cover to all employees.

 

Companies must furnish details of health insurance policies to the government, and the iqama numbers of beneficiaries and their dependents to the insurance companies.

 

The government has recently licensed many insurance companies to meet the growing demand for health insurance. The health market has picked up momentum with many hospitals and polyclinics either being set up or expanding their existing capacity.

 

There is some confusion in this new market. Insurers are charging different prices and offering different covers. It appears that the government is not at present laying down minimum standards.

 

There are concerns that some insurers are not providing cover for chronic diseases and expensive surgeries.

 

Having insurance, and having adequate insurance are not the same.