Several representatives of Lebanon's private hospital sector have called out insurers for "payment delays" of several months on benefits covered by insurance policies.
Private hospital representatives held a media conference on 17 July 2025 to highlight the difficulties facing private hospitals in Lebanon, reported the newspaper L'Orient-Le Jour. The representatives included Dr Elias Chelala, president of the Lebanese Order of Physicians, the country’s largest medical organisation and physician group; Mr Pierre Yared, the president of the Hospital Owners’ Syndicate; and Mr Abir Kurdi, president of the Order of Nurses.
In response, the president of the Association of Insurance Companies of Lebanon (ACAL), Mr Assad Mirza, said that the delay in payments is not systemic and only involves certain companies. He indicated that hospitals are free to sever their ties with such insurers.
Mr Yared also urged Economy Minister Amer Bisat to strengthen oversight of insurers, as the Insurance Supervisory Commission is attached to this ministry.
Discussion channels have been opened too with the management of the National Social Security Fund (CNSS) to re-examine hospitalisation rates and to obtain a uniform and up-to-date database, which would help avoid disputes with insurance companies over rates and coverage.
The private hospital representatives urged the government to support their institutions that they said were exhausted after six years of crisis and war, marked by the deadly port explosion in 2020 and by the COVID-19 pandemic, in addition to the cost of the destruction caused by Israeli bombings in South Lebanon, in the Bekaa and also in certain parts of Beirut. Other challenges included increases in the prices of energy, medical equipment and medicine, and the flight of some medical personnel from the country.