DOHA: The health insurance scheme being made mandatory in phases for all will cover basic healthcare services for expatriates and citizens that will include general medical services, emergency services, as well as inpatient and outpatient services.
Also, all pathological and other lab tests, x-rays, maternity services and obstetrics, pharmacy services, basic dental care, and basic eye care will be covered.
Treatment of diseases related to nerves, speech therapy, and treatment of occupational diseases and of infertility and family planning services will be part of basic medical services, too.
In the case of Qataris, aside from the above services, services like home nursing, providing durable medical equipment, pre-death care and organ transplants will be provided.
According to extensive bylaws issued by the Minister of Health to help implement the legislation that was enforced a few months ago making medical insurance compulsory for all, visitors will get insurance cover only for emergency services and accidents.
This rule will apply to GCC nationals as well who don’t require an entry visa to get into Qatar.
Those applying for entry or visit visas in advance must buy health insurance cover first or their visa request will not be entertained.
Those who are eligible to get visa on arrival must buy the insurance policy at the point of entry, according to the executive regulations.
Visitors extending their visas must renew their insurance policy to last the extended duration of their stay or their request for extension will be rejected.
Expatriates staying here on the sponsorship of their husband or father/mother and working must be provided health insurance by their employers.
All employers of foreign workers must pay health insurance premiums in installments for them and their families.
For additional health services (other than the basic services covered by the law), workers will need to share the cost with their employers.
The basic health services will be provided by the National Health Insurance Company (NHIC) as part of the mandatory cover, while the additional services will be provided by private insurers — but only those companies that are based and licensed in Qatar.
But the insurers will be required to apply for registration to the NHIC subject to conditions.
All healthcare facilities willing to provide the basic services to people as part of the insurance scheme must also apply for registration with the NHIC, and they will not be allowed to demand treatment cost from the patient.
Details of the treatment and its cost will need to be forwarded to the NHIC which will settle the payment.
The Peninsula
