Healthcare insurance providers in Bahrain are being encouraged to bid on a tender aimed at providing mandatory health benefit packages for expatriates.
The tender, which is currently available on the Tender Board website, was issued by the Supreme Council of Health (SCH) on December 31 and is open until January 29.
The general external tender’s initial bond has been set at BD5,000 (in the form of a certified cheque, bank guarantee, insurance policy or cash) and will be valid for 180 days, with a contract duration of five years up for grabs.
According to the SCH, the winning bidder will provide health insurance cover as part of the Mandatory Benefit Package for Residents programme, ‘Hakeem’, an expatriate health insurance initiative.
“The SCH is requesting proposals to select an insurance provider who shall deliver quality healthcare coverage and benefits administration for the eligible expatriate population in accordance with the ‘Hakeem’ programme,” the tender says.
“The programme aims to optimise resource allocation, emphasise the role of the private sector, enhance continuity of care and ensure financial sustainability, through the coverage of primary, secondary and emergency health services.”
‘Hakeem’, which means ‘wise’ in Arabic, is a comprehensive insurance programme for residents that was formerly known as the Private Co-operative Health Insurance Programme.
For the past two years, the council has been monitoring the market and getting hospitals ready for the system.
‘Hakeem’ includes two packages – one that is mandatory and the other optional, which will be funded by the employer or sponsor and will be made available in government and private facilities.
The mandatory package is for expat workers of a specific age and includes 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 is a cap on spending.
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.
Optional package features the government paying 60 per cent of the fees with the patient footing 40pc of the bill at private healthcare facilities.
It falls under the national health insurance programme, Sehati, which aims to improve health services for citizens, residents and visitors.
According to SCH secretary-general Dr Ibrahim Al Nawakhda, the target is to have the scheme running later this year. Targets set out for the launch of the scheme include improving healthcare accessibility, enhancing healthcare quality, promoting cost-efficiency and encouraging private sector participation.
In order to be accepted, bidders must meet a number of mandatory criteria.
“Bidders must fully align with the table of benefits (health care items or services covered under a health insurance plan) without exception, to ensure insured members receive consistent coverage,” the SCH has stated in the tender.
“Bidders must also comply with all applicable laws and regulations for the expat population in Bahrain.
“There is also a Premium cap adherence, where quoted price must be below BD72 for people of up to 60 years old.”
Those who are capable and wish to participate in the above tender have to purchase the tender documents online through the Bahrain Tender Board’s portal (etendering.tenderboard.gov.bh).
Bidders need to submit a copy of a valid Commercial Registration (CR) certificate and a Bahrainisation certificate issued by the Labour Ministry.
nader@gdnmedia.bh
Top stories for today:
Urgent call to clear drains
Bill on conditional expat recruitment is rejected
Traffic advisory
&uuid=(email))