Bahrain: National health insurance scheme to start in 2019
Source: Middle East Insurance Review | Jul 2016
Bahrain’s proposed national health insurance programme is expected to be implemented at the beginning of 2019, according to the Chairman of the Supreme Council for Health, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Khalifa.
He said that work on the scheme involves two stages. The first phase, which began last year, was to study the health insurance industry. This included a comprehensive study by the World Bank on the prevailing situation and the options available to set up the health insurance system, based on international best practices. An operational plan will be selected, involving the formation of working groups and workshops with the participation of stakeholders.
The second phase involves drafting a health insurance law in coordination with different government agencies, and collecting feedback from stakeholders.
The purpose of the national health insurance scheme is to enhance the level of medical services in Bahrain for the kingdom to be a sophisticated centre of modern medicine in the region and to ensure a sustainable healthcare system, Dr Al Khalifa told Gulf News.
He said that the government will fund the contributions for all Bahrainis towards the mandatory basic health insurance plan, while employers will do so for expatriate residents. A national health insurance fund will be set up. The authorities will work with insurance companies to determine the service coverage, he added.
He said that it is currently not possible to determine the cost of the health insurance programme but added that “we expect that a clearer picture will emerge in the coming months”. The budget will be determined with the Finance Ministry.