Saudi Arabia Medical Insurance News

Saudi Arabia, a country that has the largest oil deposits in the world and a vibrant economy that has its roots in oil production and exportation, has in recent years experienced a high number of foreign nationals choosing to visit and permanently relocate to the nation. Many of these expatriates are aware of the country's strict Islamic laws and many of the local customs that are practiced in the region. One very important issue that many expatriates are unaware of however is healthcare and health insurance.

Since January 2006 it has been mandatory for every resident of the country to have health insurance. As of June 2006, expatriates relocating to Saudi Arabia are required to obtain a comprehensive health insurance policy before they are issued with a resident permit or iqamas. Companies who are bringing foreign nationals into the Kingdom are required to have a health insurance plan in place for their employees before they arrive.

This means that as an expatriate in Saudi Arabia, you are required to have an insurance plan. Many of the plans offered in Saudi Arabia will provide local coverage only, and while Saudi Arabia has a high standard of healthcare and boasts some of the best medical facilities and hospitals in the Gulf region, local plans will not provide you with coverage outside of the country. This means that should you leave Saudi Arabia you will loose any health insurance coverage that you have had while in the country.

As a result of this need for health insurance while in Saudi Arabia, many expatriates are choosing to purchase international health insurance plans. These plans provide foreign nationals with the high levels of coverage required by Saudi law, and have the additional benefit of being globally portable. This means that should you ever relocate away from Saudi Arabia, or return to your home country, an international health insurance plan will continue to provide you and your loved ones with the most comprehensive coverage available.

While local health insurance plans may be less expensive than an international health insurance policy, the level of coverage that the policyholder is entitled to may also be lower. International health insurance plans normally provide much more comprehensive cover that local health insurance; additionally an international plan premium is calculated based on the policyholder's age and area of coverage. Many local health insurance plans will calculate premiums based on the amount of claims that a policy holder has made, this means that if you receive treatment, your premiums are likely to increase.

Due to the fact that the Saudi government is requiring local citizens and foreign nationals to obtain a health insurance plans, it is important to know what your requirements and needs are. Thinking about a plan before you leave for Saudi Arabia will have its advantages to purchasing the plans available in the country. Depending on your needs we can offer plans in Saudi Arabia that will provide a number of benefits including out-patient, dental, maternity, and emergency evacuation coverage; and in many cases you have the ability to tailor plans to suit your exact needs. For more information about the international health insurance plans that we can offer for Saudi Arabia, or to receive a free quote, please contact us today.

For more information about Saudi Arabia, the international health insurance plans that we can offer there, or to receive a free quote, please contact one of our expert advisers today.

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