Kuwait - New Health insurance scheme for retirees
Source: Middle East Insurance Review | Nov 2016
Kuwait’s Minister of Health Dr Ali Al-Obaidi has launched a health insurance scheme for retired citizens that would cost the government KWD82 million (US$271.5 million) a year.
Dr Al-Obaidi, speaking during the inauguration ceremony of the scheme, said that more than 117,000 retirees are eligible for the plan, reported the Kuwait News Agency. The scheme provides for KWD15,500 annual health insurance coverage for a male retiree, and KWD17,000 for a woman. The coverage includes around KWD1,500 for dental services for each retiree.
He said that retirees are free to choose from a list of health care providers. The scheme does not cover medical treatment abroad.
The launch of the medical insurance scheme for retirees is seen as the first step towards eventual universal medical insurance for all segments of Kuwaiti society. In 2014, Kuwait’s National Assembly approved health insurance for retirees registered in the social insurance system. Dr Al-Obaidi said then that he would implement the scheme on an experimental basis for retirees first, with other citizens to be included later.
Kuwait-headquartered Gulf Insurance Group is providing the insurance coverage. Last year, it submitted the lowest bid to the government in the tender to provide health insurance for retired citizens. In a statement to the Kuwait Stock Exchange then, the company said that its offer was worth KWD82.48 million.
KWD1 = US$3.31