Qatar’s visitor health insurance scheme starts today: Here’s everything to know
Qatar has always taken great care in ensuring people living in the country get the best medical attention, at affordable rates. While government entities provide affordable healthcare for people with health cards, multiple insurance companies work to ensure the rest of the population is covered.
On January 28, Qatar’s Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) announced that the first phase of a mandatory health insurance scheme in the country will kick off on February 1, with all visitors required to have a health insurance policy (local or international).
The scheme, which will be rolled out in phases, is expected to ensure visitors have access to great healthcare services at all times.
First phase of the Mandatory Health Insurance Scheme in the State of Qatar pic.twitter.com/cbJ87IZIht
— وزارة الصحة العامة (@MOPHQatar) January 28, 2023
Visitors entering the country on on-arrival visas should purchase the policy in advance to ensure speedy completion of their procedures upon arrival in Qatar. Purchases can be made through one of these nine companies.
1. QLM Life & Medical Insurance Company
2. Doha Insurance Group
3. Qatar General Insurance & Reinsurance Company Q.P.S.C
4. AlKhaleej Takaful Insurance Company
5. Beema
6. Qatar Insurance Company QIC
7. Doha Takaful
8. Islamic Insurance
9. General Takaful Company
Travellers applying for a visit visa through the Ministry of Interior’s (MOI) website or via Metrash2 app, after completion of all other relevant procedures, can go to the site for the Ministry of Public Health. He or she can then choose an approved insurance company to purchase the visitors’ policy.
Once the policy is issued, MOI will issue the appropriate visit visa. The effective date of coverage will be the date of visitor’s entry at any border. Should the visitor extend his/her stay, then he/she must purchase a new health insurance policy.
HOW MUCH DOES THE POLICY COST?
The premium for the mandatory visitors’ health insurance policy has been fixed at QR50 per month. It will cover all emergency and accident services. A visitor can then purchase additional coverage (top-ups) by paying extra premiums.
WHAT DOES THE POLICY COVER?
-- Emergency medical treatment
* Up to QR150,000 for the policy period, within Qatar
-- Emergency medical assistance with a sub-limit of QR35,000 includes:
* Emergency ambulance transportation within Qatar, and where necessary
* Medical evacuation to the individual’s country of residence
-- Covid-19 and quarantine
* Sub-limit up to QR50,000
* Covid-19 treatment for positive cases
* Quarantine expenses (for confirmed cases) are up to QR300 per day.
There will be no waiting period required under this document.
-- Repatriation
In the event of a visitor’s death within Qatar, the cost of repatriation will be covered up to an amount of QR10,000. No co-payment or deductibles are required for any covered services.
ABOUT TRAVELLERS HOLDING INTERNATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE…
* The policy must be valid in Qatar and have coverage in the country
* The policy must be valid during the traveller’s stay in the country
* The policy must be issued by an insurance companies that has approval in Qatar
FURTHER QUERIES
If anybody has any further queries, they can get in touch with the MoPH helpline at 16000 – Extension No. 1, which is dedicated to health insurance. The international number is +974-44069963. In case of any complaints, one can email ghcc@moph.gov.qa
Some of the frequently asked questions can be found here.
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