In Qatar’s continuing efforts to keep everyone safe and healthy, the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) has recently made health insurance a mandatory requirement as part of the law in order to ensure enhanced health services in the country. All residents – as well as visitors – must have health insurance, and these must be acquired via insurance companies that are registered by the MoPH. This is in line with Law no. 22 for 2021 regulating health services in the State.
In particular, the Healthcare Services Law No. 22 of 2021 (the Insurance Law) started taking effect on May 4th this year. The coverage is mandatory for non-Qatari employees and their families also.
The same is applicable to foreign visitors throughout their stay in Qatar. As such, entry visas for expatriates and visitors cannot be issued or renewed without any subscription to a health insurance policy during their stay. The same is true with granting or renewing a residence permit, as well as in actually recruting or hiring an expatriate. This will be at the expense of the employer using insurance companies registered with the Ministry.
On the flip side, registered health insurance providers must also do due diligence to provide the best procedures they can to ensure efficient health services for their policyholders.
As to the rationale behind this law, the Ministry states that it “will reduce waiting times in the government health facilities in the country and provide appointments for medical consultations within a time that meets the health needs of citizens at the highest level of quality.” You can discover more about the summaries of the law on Lexology, or visit the official website of the MoPH to learn more about the National Health Strategy 2018 – 2022.
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