The Qatari compulsory health insurance law came into force on 6 May 2022, in implementation of a decree issued by the emir of the country, Tamim bin Hamad, late last year.
The Qatari Official Gazette published the text of the law last November, that came into force six months after its issuance.
Under the new law No 22 of 2021, expatriates will not be able to renew their residency or engage in any work before providing health insurance, reported Khaleej Times.
The new law will require changes to the procedures for entering visitors, renewing residencies and appointing expatriates, as health insurance will be mandatory to ensure basic healthcare is provided to them.
The law stipulates that insurance covers the duration of the entry visa or residence permit, unless it is excluded from the mandatory health insurance.
The law requires the employer to pay health insurance premiums to provide insurance coverage for basic health care services for its employees.
The payment of health insurance premiums for the family members of the company’s workers will be from the date of their entry into the country, according to the limits set by the competent authorities.
Health insurance packages include coverage of basic services and emergency cases in the category of those under 60 years of age, and coverage of chronic diseases, but the percentage of coverage depends on the insurance package selected, with the identification of health facilities that accept insurance.
Last March, credit ratings agency S&P said it expects the mandatory health insurance law would increase the returns of insurance companies in Qatar by a level of between QAR1bn ($270m) to QAR1.5bn. M