Doha, January 28 (QNA) - The Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) announced the start of applying the first phase of the health insurance system in the State of Qatar, in implementation of the provisions of Law No. (22) of 2021 regarding the organization of health care services in the State of Qatar, which stipulates that visitors must be covered by health insurance.

The Ministry said that the health insurance system will be applied in phases to guarantee smoothness of application, pointing that it is scheduled to be applied to all visitors to the country, starting from the first of February 2023.

The Ministry has prepared the necessary mechanisms to begin the first phase of insurance for visitors to the state, whereby visitors should be covered by a health insurance policy issued by one of the insurance companies registered with the Ministry of Public Health.

MOPH The Ministry explained that the insurance policy for visitors covers only basic health care services; emergency services and accidents only, and the premium for the mandatory insurance policy for a single 30-day visa is QAR 50 upon the initial issuance and each time the visit visa is extended. It added that visitors may obtain insurance policies that cover more services, and that the premiums vary according to the providers.

The Ministry pointed out that the visitors can choose one of the registered insurance companies through the links of the companies available on the website of the Ministry of Public Health when requesting the issuance of an entry visa to the State of Qatar or extending stay, as the health insurance policy for visitors is one of the requirements for obtaining a visa.

The Ministry indicated that for visitors who hold international health insurance, the insurance policy must cover the State of Qatar, be valid through their stay in the country, and issued by one of the insurance companies on the list of international insurance companies accredited in the State of Qatar.

MOPH affirmed that the health insurance system aims to support the continuous development and regulation of the health care sector in the country, enhance the health of the population and their access to basic care services through an effective and sustainable health care system, and regulate spending on health care. (QNA)