Qatar National Health Insurance Scheme Update

Qatar's National Vision 2030 sets out the Qatari government's (the Government) goal of improving the health of Qatar's population by developing a world class and integrated health care system.

In furtherance of this goal, a national health insurance scheme, accessible to all citizens, residents and visitors, is in the process of being implemented in five phases (the Health Insurance Scheme). Phase 1 of the Health Insurance Scheme was launched in July 2013, followed by phase 2 in April 2014. At the launch of phase 2 the Health Insurance Scheme was renamed 'Seha', meaning 'health' in Arabic (Seha). Seha was enacted through issuance of Law No 7 of 2013 concerning the Social Health Insurance Scheme (the Health Insurance Law). Seha is regulated pursuant to Resolution No 22 of 2013 of the Minister of Public Health Issuing the Implementing Regulations for Law No 7 of 2013 concerning the Social Health Insurance Scheme (the Regulations).

Article 5 of the Health Insurance Law tasks the Supreme Council of Health (the SCH) with the responsibility, supervision and development of Seha. Separately, Article 19 of the Health Insurance Law tasks the National Health Insurance Company (the NHIC) with the "actual implementation and management" of Seha. The NHIC (http://www.nhic.qa) is a fully owned government entity with a board of directors formed of representatives of the SCH, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, Ministry of Interior, Central Municipality Council and two members from the private business sector. The NHIC's powers are set out in Article 20 of the Health Insurance Law and the Regulations.

The NHIC has appointed Al Khaleej Takaful as its third party administrator to handle essential administrative processes and support building its capabilities. Aetna and GlobeMed have been appointed as exclusive subcontractors of the third party administrator.

Implementation

Seha is to be rolled out in five phases up to 2015 as follows:

Phase Date of Implmentation Groups Covered Services Covered Providers in the Network 1 July 2013 Qatari women ages 12+ years Gynecology, obstetrics, maternity and related women's health conditions HMC Women's Hospital Al Emadi Hospital Doha Clinic Hospital Al Ahli Hospital Al Wakra Hospital The Cuban Hospital Al Khor Hospital 2 April 2014 All Qatari nationals All services Select HMC and private providers 3 Q3 2014 All Qatari nationals All services Select HMC and private providers (expanded network) 4 Q1...