Oman: Govt considering mandatory health insurance scheme
Source: Middle East Insurance Review | Dec 2015
The Omani government is actively considering mandatory healthcare insurance for all expatriate and Omani workers, to be provided by employers, in a move which would give the insurance industry a boost.
Drawing on the examples of Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Abu Dhabi, a detailed report has been submitted to the Cabinet for approval. This also followed a study in close cooperation with the government of South Korea on its health insurance scheme, reported the Times of Oman.
“The study was submitted to the cabinet two months ago and we are waiting now,” Dr Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Qasmi, Director of Planning and Studies at the Ministry of Health, said at a conference in late October. “It will be implemented gradually in a phased manner, over a period of five to 10 years. Sooner or later, health insurance will be compulsory.”
The government will start with big companies with expatriate workers in the first phase. “We will review what happens in the first stage,” he added.
The proposed scheme aims to reduce the healthcare burden of the government. This will also ensure that private sector hospitals get enough patients to be viable.
The market for medical insurance is growing in Oman, especially after expatriates moved out of government hospitals to private health centres.
Oman has a population of around 4.22 million, of whom 2.35 million are citizens.