No entry permits or renewal of residencies without an insurance plan

New law requires health insurance for non-Qataris

Law No. (22) for 2021 Regulating Health Care Services is officially set to go into effect. The law, which was issued by HH the Amir Shekih Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, was published in the Official Gazette on November 4, 2021, and is now taking effect six months after.

Implementation is expected to go into effect after the conclusion of the Eid Al Fitr Holiday, which will end on May 10 for the government sector.  

The Primary Health Care Service Law will introduce changes in issuing and renewing entry permits, residency permits, and expatriate hiring. 

According to article (10) of the law mentioned above, a basic health insurance plan is mandatory. Therefore, there will be no entry permits, renewal of residency permits, or hiring expatriates without an insurance plan.

Article (10) of the law also mentioned that the required insurance coverage period should be the same as the stay or residency period if not exempted by the mandatory health insurance according to the article (10) of the law.

The coverage's duration shall extend to cover the stay/ residence duration.

According to the law, the employer must pay installments of the health insurance to cover employees' primary health care services.

Payments are made to family members of workers based on the date they entered Qatar and the regulations in place. 

According to Al Sharq newspaper sources from the insurance industry, it has been decided that the prices of the insurance packages for the annual insurance of individuals under 16 are between 495 QAR to 920 QAR. The yearly insurance coverage is between 60%-80% based on the insurance package specified by individuals, companies, or groups. 

As for individuals above 60 years old, insurance packages will be between 495 QAR to 900 QAR, with an annual percentage coverage between 60%-70%. The plan will include the health insurance packages that cover the essential services and emergency cases for those below 60 years old and with chronic diseases. However, it adopts the percentage coverage based on the chosen insurance plan while specifying the insurance facilities that accept insurance.  

Source: Al Sharq Newspaper