Saudi Arabia has issued rules governing the forthcoming mandatory health insurance scheme for visitors.
The proposed scheme would require any visitor to the kingdom to opt into the scheme on arrival, with the exception of pilgrims, diplomats, international organisations and members of state – although local media reports last month suggested the exemption would not extend to pilgrims after all.
This week, Saudi Gazette reported that the Council of Cooperative Health Insurance (CCHI) had published new details about the scheme.
Visitors to the kingdom would have 60 days to submit a health insurance compensation claim if required, while insurance companies must make the necessary compensation within 30 days of receiving a claim, the CCHI reportedly said.
It also clarified that health insurance also covers traffic accident cases involving visitors.
The planned medical insurance policy for visitors and their families will cover a maximum of SR100,000 ($26,658) of medical treatment, including accident & emergency treatment expenses, medical examinations, prescriptions, inpatient services, pregnancy or childbirth, dental diseases, endodontics, nerve treatment, removal of abscess, premature childbirth cases, emergency dialysis, traffic accidents, and expenses of repatriation of the deceased visitor’s body in the event of death while in Saudi Arabia, the newspaper said.
Expats arriving in Saudi Arabia on visit visas will be given the option of obtaining health insurance from any of seven licensed health insurance companies.
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