DOHA: With the second phase of the national health insurance scheme — Seha — being launched today, eight new private polyclinics have been included in the provider network.
The second phase will see all Qatari nationals — both men and women — covered for their basic health needs. Dental services, which are not currently covered by the scheme, will be included from June, the National Health Insurance Company (NHIC) said yesterday.
The Al Jazeera Medical Centre, Al Ahmadani Medical Center and six branches of the Doha Healthcare Group have joined the network which already includes the Hamad General Hospital (HGH), Womens’ Hospital, Al Wakrah Hospital, Cuban Hospital, Al Emadi Hospital, Doha Clinic (Hospital), Al Ahli Hospital and Al Hayat Medical Centre.
More providers will be added to this network in due course and the updated list will be available on the Seha website, said a NHIC statement.
Coverage includes both in-patient and out-patient services including preventive care, emergency treatment, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, long-term care, radiology, ophthalmology, laboratory testing and prescription medicines. Coverage for dental services is expected to begin in June this year.
Organ transplant is covered but expenses for the acquisition of an organ for transplant are not.
The list of services that are not covered by the scheme include cosmetic surgeries, smoking cessation and related procedures or treatments (unless delivered in the content of the Supreme Council of Health programmes), acupuncture, acupressure, osteopathy, herbal medicine, ozone therapy, homeopathy, hypnotism, rolfing, aromatherapy, spa treatments, Ayurvedic treatments, relaxing massages and other forms of alternative treatment.
Tests or treatment which are not related to a specific symptom and/or disease are also not covered. This includes examinations required for employment, travel, immigration, licencing or insurance related reports.
Hearing and vision aids, or correction by surgeries or laser, health services and associated expenses for alopecia, baldness, hair loss, dandruff, wigs, or toupees, transportation costs for non emergency cases, devices (IUDs), drugs, procedures or hormone treatment for birth control are also excluded. The Peninsula
