DOHA: Private insurance companies have been given one-year grace period to comply with the law banning double insurance.
According to a new circular issued by the Supreme Council of Health (SCH), these firms can continue to provide insurance cover to citizens for basic healthcare services until next April 30.
The SCH had earlier asked private providers to start adjusting their policies and contracts beginning this April 1 to avoid double insurance, following the launch of national health insurance scheme, Seha. A circular was issued in this regard last November. The second phase of Seha launched on April 30 provides insurance cover to all citizens for basic healthcare services.
“To give more time to private insurance companies to adjust their policies and contracts, a 12-month grace period has been given, from April 30, 2014 to April 30, 2015. From that date, they must stop providing insurance cover for basic healthcare services,” said the circular.
Law No. 7 of 2013 regulating the national health insurance scheme has banned private insurance companies from providing insurance cover for basic healthcare services for any of the segments mentioned in it. Seha aims at providing mandatory insurance cover for all citizens, expats and visitors to Qatar likely by 2015-end.
The scheme has been implemented in a phased manner, with all citizens being covered in the second and current phase. Coverage for expats is expected to begin next year.
As per the law, National Health Insurance Company (NHIC) is the sole provider of health insurance in Qatar for basic healthcare services. Private insurance companies may only provide cover for additional services not listed in executive regulations. NHIC has issued a full list of healthcare services covered by Seha in its current phase. The Peninsula
