Job Discussion Forums

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

What medical insurance do posters use while working in KSA ?

We have a deal where - in theory - we can use Government Hospitals, but there is often a hassle when we try to get admission. Employer also offers a group health insurance scheme which currently costs 600 a month for employee. More if he has dependants.

What deal do you have ?

Stephen Jones · Joined: 21 Feb 2003 Posts: 4124

We get free medical and dental care at the Royal Commission hospitals. Pretty high standard.

A definite perk.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Bumping up this post to say that I have again renewed my health insurance (and life insurance) with Saudi Brokers (now provided by AXA). It is surprising how few of my colleagues bother with this.

I would not be without it ! I know that some in Fellowship of the Five Hundred have objections.

Stephen Jones · Joined: 21 Feb 2003 Posts: 4124

2007-2008 there were problems with people getting reimbursed. One more or less got turfed out of his hospital bed.

We were then told that this company was no longer dealing with things but that the brokers had found another company, which nobody had ever heard of and of course nobody could find the track record of. We were given a week to decide.

So it's not just the 500 club that haven't followed your lead.

(and Saudi Brokers still haven't returned the month's premium they were overpaid because payroll deducted it from our salary without asking us).

As for life insurance I was going to get one years travel insurance from the HSBC but found that they wanted the iqama of the beneficiary if I died in the year, and if they didn't have an iqama and weren't kin I couldn't nominate them.

Mind you, if Saudi brokers are open tomorrow I might go up and get travel insurance. I'm wary of Air Arabia's claim they can transfer my luggage from one plane to another in forty minutes.

johnslat · Posted: Tue Nov 17, 2009 4:48 pm Post subject:

Dear Stephen,

"I'm wary of Air Arabia's claim they can transfer my luggage from one plane to another in forty minutes."

No reason to be wary - they can. It just might well not be the right plane they transfer it to.

Regards,
John

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

The package I have through the broker includes Life Insurance. No restrictions on payments as far as I know. I suppose I won't be around to check when the time comes.

Seriously though - I have two school-age children who are financially dependent on me. I recollect that after the death of a colleague in KSA, people were trying to collect money to help finance his kid's education.

trapezius · Posted: Tue Nov 17, 2009 8:46 pm Post subject:

My job provides free medical cover (for employee and family) through BUPA. We get the silver card, which is accepted at most private hospitals and clinics in Saudi. The deductible last year was SR. 35 per consultation, but this year it is SR. 45. Still a great deal. Follow-ups within 10 days are free. Drugs and surgery are free, as long as they are medically required, and not elective. If I go see a doctor at his private practice, I have to pay the consultation fee (usually SR. 200-250), which is then reimbursed at the customary rate (about SR. 170) less the deductible. We were given the option to upgrade to the gold card for SR. 300 per family member for the year, but I didn't choose to. You get to go to the 10 or so elite private hospitals in the country with the gold card, and the yearly total cover is higher.

I have life insurance through an Asian life insurance company.

And I also have a 36-year retirement plan through Banque Saudi Fransi, and it includes a SR. 60,000 cover should I die.

007 · Posted: Tue Nov 17, 2009 9:12 pm Post subject:

trapezius · Posted: Tue Nov 17, 2009 9:55 pm Post subject:

^ You are confusing the two things.

The retirement plan with the bank includes free SR. 60,000 cover. They deduct SR. 500 from my account every month (for 36 years). It grows at a projected 5-7%. So, I will end up getting back all my money and a whole lot more, upto double or triple even, depending on growth.

The life insurance policy with an Asian company is something else. That's a $100,000 policy, and it is whole life insurance; I will pay just over $100,000 over 30 years in fixed yearly installments. If I die during this period, my beneficiary gets the $100K (and if I get disabled, the payout varies from 1/3 to the full value, depending on the type of disability). If I survive, I will get the $100K back, plus the profits, estimated to be another $100K.

johnslat · Posted: Tue Nov 17, 2009 10:00 pm Post subject:

Dear trap,

Good thing insurance isn't haram (حرام‎) anymore, huh?

Regards,
John

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

And today I heard from the brokers that Life Cover has been discontinued because of the low number asking for it.
I will just have to make a point of living longer.

And it is a timely reminder. "Pride goeth before a fall."

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Having just spent a few days in hospital for treatment, I have been reflecting again on the folly if those who advise people to come and work in KSA illegally.

If you have no Igama you are not legal and will have EXTREME problems getting medical treatment.

How have people been faring on these skanky "business visas" ? What happens when you need a doctor ? If you are on a real contract with an iqama the employer is obliged by law to provide you with medical insurance. This has not yet been introduced for government employees, who can still seek treatment in government hospitals.

Stephen Jones · Joined: 21 Feb 2003 Posts: 4124

Companies who hire people on business visas normally get insurance for them.

The bigger question is what does the insurance cover. It obviously doesn't cover treatment not provided by any of the affiliated hospitals, and I suspect that can cover radiotherapy and other things that require equipment the private hospitals don't have. Employers will often choose the cheapest insurance. And check for their refusing to treat pre-existing conditions.

If you're from the UK don't deregister with your GP yet.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Good advice. That may mean continuing to use address of parents, ex-wives, friends etc. For health care and benefit rules when returning to the UK be prepared to pass the "Habitual Residency Test".