Health insurance claims in Qatar are the third most expensive in the world

According to recent research by William Russell, health insurance claims in Qatar are among the most expensive in the world. The Qatari cabinet accepted a proposal last month to provide visitors and tourists with insurance benefits and tax savings. 

As per the report which was released on the 8th of June, Qatar’s average health insurance claim value has reached $2,900 among its population. The figure is below Taiwan, which stands at $3,878, and the country of Denmark, which outperformed in the list at $7,328.

The medical organization believes that the high fee does not adequately reflect the vast range of medical concerns encountered when traveling. The most commonly claimed services in Qatar are consultations with a general practitioner (GP) or a specialist. The most commonly reported condition is osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint disease that primarily affects the elderly. Aside from that, treatment is the most expensive.

Medical regulations in Qatar

The Qatari cabinet has approved a proposal from the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) to develop insurance benefit packages and visitor rates. In May, the Council of Ministers passed Draft Resolution No. 22 of 2021, which requires businesses to provide foreigners with private health insurance to enable them to receive medical care. Qataris will be able to access government-run healthcare facilities as well.

Residents and visitors are obliged by law to have health insurance from a licensed insurance provider, according to the Ministry of Public Health. Employees must be covered as soon as they arrive in Qatar or as soon as their sponsorship is transferred to a new employer.

When an employee's contract expires, the employer must also notify the employee's insurance company. If an employer or recruiter fails to transfer an employee's sponsorship to a new employer after the contract expires, the employee's insurance coverage may be extended until the policy expires or the legally acceptable time of residency expires.

The Ministry of Public Health has set up several health centers, primarily for Qataris. Among the health care facilities in this area are Muaither Health Center, Al Thumama Health Center, and South Al Wakra Health Center.

Qatar has the greatest health care in the Arab world, according to Numbeo's 2022 Health Care Index. On the Quality of Life Index, Qatar ranks 27th out of 87 countries, second only to the United Arab Emirates in the Middle East.