Egypt: Private sector players to participate in national health insurance system
Source: Middle East Insurance Review | Nov 2019
Private sector insurers will play a role in the national health insurance system with their participation guaranteed under the new insurance law, which is pending enactment.
Egypt’s draft new insurance law, which has been finalised, stipulates that the private sector will participate in providing health insurance services through the General Authority for Comprehensive Health Insurance.
Mr Alaa El-Zoheiry, chairman of the Egyptian Insurance Federation, speaking at a recent seminar on the issue said privately held insurers will provide complementary and subsidiary insurance coverage to citizens, at low prices.
For months, while deliberations were conducted on shaping the insurance scheme, the private insurance sector lobbied to play a role in the national health insurance system.
The first phase of the scheme was launched in July 2018. However, there was a lack of clarity from the authorities on private participation in the scheme which is being implemented in several phases with the last phase to be completed by 2032.
The mandatory national health insurance scheme requires all Egyptian residents, including employers, expatriates and casual workers to make compulsory monthly payments. In addition, the main breadwinner will be responsible for paying monthly contributions for family members, including unemployed spouses and all children.
The government will pay the premiums on behalf of the poor, estimated to number 24m or about 25% of the population. The system covers all medical services for the beneficiaries, from the initial medical examination, through imaging and medical tests, to major medical and surgical interventions. M