Mandatory health insurance for expatriates and visitors to Qatar: Ministry

Doha: The Ministry of Public Health confirmed that Law No. (22) of 2021 regulating health care services within the country would work on the development and regulation of the health sector in the state. The Ministry noted that based on the new law, a mandatory health insurance system will be implemented for all expatriates and visitors to the country, which provides basic health care services to them through health care providers in government health facilities and private sector, according to the insurance coverage policy. The provisions of the law also oblige the employer to provide health insurance for its non-Qatari workers through insurance companies registered with the Ministry of Public Health, in order to provide them with basic insurance coverage, and the same obligation applies to the recruiter to provide basic coverage for those who bring them. The law will come into effect six months after its issuance, and during this period services will continue to be provided to all residents, and the ministry will issue all details related to the application of the law and the health insurance system in the coming days. Amir HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani issued Law no. 22 of 2021 on regulating health care services within the country yesterday, October 19. The law is effective six months after its publishing in the official gazette.   The Ministry confirmed that the health insurance system will lead to the development of the health sector and services provided to the public, by alleviating the challenges facing the health care sector resulting from the steady population growth, through the participation of the public and private sectors in providing health care services to the population, which in turn will reduce waiting time in the government health facilities in the country and provide appointments for medical consultations easily within a fast time that meets the health needs of people and at the highest level of quality. It is worth noting that it is scheduled to start implementing the law six months after its issuance, and during this period services will continue to be provided to all residents, and the ministry will issue and publish all controls related to the application of the law and the health insurance system during the coming period.