The cost of premiums for an expatriate health insurance programme is in the progress of being finalised in time for its soft launch in September.
Details of Hakeem, which is a comprehensive insurance programme that includes a ‘mandatory’ and an ‘optional’ package, was recently shared with private healthcare providers and insurance companies, as reported in the GDN.
The roundtable discussion was held at the third edition of the National Health Regulatory Authority (NHRA) Conference and Exhibition by Supreme Council for Health (SCH) secretary general Ebrahim Al Nawakhtha.
“The Supreme Council for Health has issued a ‘request for information’ to the insurance market and is currently working with insurance companies to finalise the premium cost for the mandatory package provided to the expatriate community,” said Mr Al Nawakhtha.
“The objective of this project is to ensure that the right to access high-quality sustainable healthcare is preserved.
“The mandatory package must cover all medical emergencies, and access to primary and secondary care, including dental treatment.
“The detailed services included in the package will be issued by the Supreme Council for Health. As per the Health Insurance Law of 2018, employers will be responsible for purchasing the insurance cover.”
Hakeem is part of the proposed national health insurance programme known as Sehati which aims to improve health services for citizens, residents and visitors.
According to the ‘Road to Sehati’ document, the Hakeem mandatory package is for expat workers of a specific age, including primary healthcare and emergency services, as well as secondary healthcare services upon referral by a family physician.
It does not include maternity room services, cosmetic procedures and there will be a cap on the amount covered and able to be claimed.
In the optional package, expats have the right to sign up with private insurance companies, provided that the benefit package is inclusive of all the services provided in the mandatory package.
Sehati also includes three packages for Bahrainis and one for visitors.
Bahraini citizens will be entitled to receive free treatment, without limit, at all government medical facilities under Sehati and the compulsory services will include comprehensive primary health care, inpatient/outpatient and accidents and emergency services in Bahrain; and conditional in-vitro fertilisation, medicines, all types of medical tests and treatment abroad, if required.
The SCH clarified that the Health Insurance Fund (Shifa) will cover the cost of treatment for citizens in government hospitals under the mandatory programme.
“The Health Insurance Law of 2018 details all the services covered under the mandatory package for nationals,” added Mr Al Nawakhtha. “The national mandatory package will cover all the services currently being provided at government hospitals at no cost and no cap for the beneficiaries.
“There will be an additional optional package, the premium of which will be subsidised by the government, which offers the option of access to private care facilities as well.”
A dry run for the Bahraini programme will be conducted at the beginning of 2024 and the implementation and operation of it is aimed for the end of 2024.
mai@gdnmedia.bh
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