Mandatory Health Insurance in Qatar

International private medical insurance and global healthcare analyst, and report author, Ian Youngman, takes a look at the new health insurance laws in Qatar and what it means for international private medical insurance providers and expatriates.

The Spanish are renowned for the relaxed approach to time with Manana, but they have nothing on Qatar who apply rules and law in their own time.

The law

• The Healthcare Services Law No. 22 of 2021 (the Insurance Law) has become effective as of 4 May 2022.

Ministry of Public Health statement

Within the framework of the Ministry of Public Health's preparations to implement the Law No. 22 of 2021 regulating health care services in the State of Qatar, which entered into force in May, the Council of Ministers approved a draft resolution regarding regulating health care services in Qatar, which included the detailed executive provisions of the law.

The Ministry of Public Health announced that the draft executive regulations for the insurance law, which was approved by the Council of Ministers, aims to improve health care services in the public and private sectors.

Health insurance shall be mandatory to ensure the provision of basic healthcare services to expats and visitors, providing health insurance through insurance companies registered with the Ministry of Public Health to provide them with basic health services.

To ensure the smooth implementation of the law, the ministry will follow a phased approach; with the first phase focusing on visitors, in line with certain provisions and measures that will be announced later.

The Ministry stressed that implementing a health insurance system will help enhance competitiveness in providing healthcare, including the increase in the participation of insurance companies in supporting state’s healthcare sector.

Executive regulations

• The Insurance Law will followed by executive regulations that will define further conditions and requirements to be complied with by the recruiters, employers and individuals subject to this law.
• The executive regulations will set out the terms and conditions of the insurance policies and contractual arrangements between the employer and insurance services providers on the one hand, and between the insurance service providers and healthcare service providers.

Health insurance regulation

• The Healthcare Services Law No. 22 of 2021 (the Insurance Law) the Insurance Law sets out obligations and requirements relating to insurance providers. Engaging in such activities relating to the mandatory health insurance coverage governed by the Insurance Law may only be possible after registering in the register dedicated for this purpose at the competent department.
• The registered insurance companies must implement the best systems and procedures to guarantee timely and efficient services towards insurance policyholders and beneficiaries.
• They are also expected to contract with healthcare services providers in the State of Qatar and pay the value of the healthcare services as provided to the holders and beneficiaries and in accordance with the agreements executed between both parties.
• The Insurance Law refers to insurance brokers that are required to provide information, advice and recommendations to beneficiaries, employers and recruiters regarding the best insurance cover and the best prices offered by insurance companies with complete impartiality and independence.
• Individuals and companies are expected to comply with this Insurance Law whether they are recruiters, sponsors, insurance services providers or brokers and healthcare providers.

Health centres reserved for Qataris

MoPH announced that four health centres will be allocated for Qataris as of June 15, 2022,

The health centres designated only for Qataris are:

1. Leabaib Health Centre.
2. Muaither Health Centre.
3. Al Thumama Health Centre.
4. South Al Wakra Health Centre.

​​The Ministry added that health care services to Qataris will continue to be provided in all 28 health centres of the Primary Health Care Corporation.

The Ministry also stated that new health centres under construction will be allocated to Qataris, which will be completed during the first quarter of 2023, as follows:

1. Al Mashaf Health Centre
2. Al Sadd Health Centre
3. Umm Saneem Health Centre
4. The new Al Khor Health Centre

Impact

What employees in Qatar are doing if they have not already done so is to set up PMI/IPMI schemes for expatriate employees and their families.

For insurers and brokers- and there are many out there- still offering IPMI to companies and individuals in Qatar- unless they are locally approved by the Ministry of Public Health or have deals with local registered companies- they need to be aware and make customers aware that the policy may not be legal in the near future.

What happens to existing IPMI policies?

The runes in the sand suggest that visitors will be allowed to have IPMI or travel health insurance from outside, as long as it has at least the same cover as the basic compulsory covers.

The suggestion so far – and nothing is in stone as the regulations have not been will not be legal unless cover complies with the new cover rules and written by MoPH approved insurers.

What are the phase dates?

Your guess is as good as mine.